(818) 245-5352Every now and then, a person finds themselves trying to figure out how to deal with loneliness. It is an uncomfortable feeling, definitely, yet at the same time, it is a very common and normal one. Humans are, after all, social creatures and as such crave human companionship. But when intimacy is lacking and hard feelings set in – one has to overcome it, and here is how to do that.
What Is Loneliness, and How Do We as Humans Experience It?
Since there was a world, there was loneliness, as well as a tendency to grasp it. Artists, therapists, psychologists, as well as philosophers and sociologists, have given their take on the experiences of alienation. The scientific definition of the notion is that it is a distressing feeling that one’s social needs aren’t met, whether in the quantity or quality of interactions you have with others. Counselors for women have found that there are four types of experience, and they go as follows:
- Emotional,
- Social,
- Situational,
- Chronic.
How to Deal with Loneliness?
No one likes feeling lonely, and when the feeling arises, often the question of how to cope with loneliness accompanies it. Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all method of dealing with loneliness. However, there are a multitude of self-care approaches as well as specific ways to increase the quantity and quality of your social life. And as a mental health expert, I’m about to share some expert mental health tips and tricks to help you in coping.
Coping With Loneliness Is Easier When You Know Where the Feeling Stems From
One of the first things in figuring out how to deal with a problem is understanding where its root is. As mentioned earlier, there are a variety of sources from which alienation stems from, and more often than not they can be interrelated. You could be getting over a breakup, getting used to a different city or workplace, or are maybe just stuck in a rut with your friend circle and need to switch it up. It could also be that you are struggling with your mental health and, because of prior emotional wounds, are experiencing the anxiety symptoms as alienation.
If You Are Having Trouble Understanding Why You Feel Lonely, Get Help With Your Mental Health From a Female Therapist
Figuring out your own emotions can be fairly difficult when you are left to do it all by yourself. If you’re having trouble pinning down where this discomfort comes from, you might benefit from searching for “womens’ therapy near me” and booking your first therapy session. A licensed counselor for women could help you rummage through your subconscious and figure out exactly where the root cause is and how to heal it.
Being By Yourself Isn’t So Bad When You Are Having Fun – So Try Finding New Ways to Enjoy Your Own Company
Very often we try to resolve our negative emotions by finding an answer in other people. However, often enough, we can be our own solution. Rather than getting into the dating world through apps and social media, why not try dating yourself for a bit? Grab a book, and take yourself out to dinner, or go dancing in that club you always wanted to visit but could never get your friends to go to.
You can even take a solo trip or start a pottery class – the ways in which you can use self-care ideas are limitless. There are so many things in the world to enjoy and experience, and doing them without a partner can sometimes be even more rewarding since you won’t be confined by other people’s wishes and needs.
Visiting New Places and Starting Different Hobbies Is Also a Great Method to Meet New People
Getting out of your comfort zone and taking yourself into new experiences and environments doesn’t just have to be a form of self care – it can also be a great way to expand your social circle and meet like-minded people. The thing is, sometimes we feel lonely even if we have friends and family we can reach out to and whom we know love us.
However, alienation still remains present, and that is because we don’t have the opportunity to share something important to us with them. So, if your friends don’t enjoy going hiking or don’t share your love for making art, that doesn’t mean you should give up on your passion. Rather, go out there, find a course or a club you can join, and make friends with folks who will understand and share your excitement about such experiences.
If You’re Feeling Lonely, Reach Out to Your Friends and Family for Support
The discomfort of being alone can sometimes be solved without getting out of your comfort zone entirely. A lot of us get into these lonely feelings and forget that there are so many people who love and care for us, even when taking care of ourselves is hard. So, if you find yourself thinking negative thoughts and feeling alienated, try reaching out to someone you’re close to to get the real support you deserve. You’d be surprised how easy it can be to feel companionship and friendship.
Put in a Bit of Effort to Make Sure You Spend Quality Time With Your Loved Ones
All introverted people know how easy it is to get stuck not only in your own social circle but also in the routines you and your friends or family members have. Hanging out with the same people in the same ways constantly can get you to forget that your relationships with your loved ones are about more than just letting off some steam or getting out of your home for the evening.
For example, you could be hanging out daily with your besties but spending all your time together playing video games, watching movies, or playing cards. And while all these activities are fun and can be a great bonding experience, they can also get you to forget that your buddies are also emotional support. So, rather than doing the same thing over and over again, put in a bit of effort to spend quality time with them. Invite your loved ones over for dinner or for a slow evening with some wine and emotional sharing. You’d be surprised how much you would benefit from a quality evening with friends, even if you consider yourself to be an introverted person.
Social Media Can Be a Great Way to Connect With People
Although the internet has a bad reputation as being a pure mirage of keeping people connected, if you utilize it well, it can be the cure for all your problems. The thing is – everybody uses the internet, so not only does it allow you to keep in touch with your current social circle, it also provides the opportunity to meet new people you could talk to.
Whether you’re playing an online multiplayer game, leaving film reviews on your favorite site for movie criticism, or commenting on a live video that thousands of people are watching – you will be connecting with people. Sometimes, just scrolling your favorite social media outlets can be enough to not feel as alone anymore. So, rather than view the internet as a hindrance, find new ways to use it to your advantage and make it a healthy part of your day. Check out the video below to learn out more ways to meet new friends over the internet.
If You Find It Difficult to Resolve the Issue on Your Own, Women’s Counseling Can Be a Good Idea
Working on your own mental health can be quite difficult, so it’s never a bad idea to use your browser to research therapy providers by typing in: “therapist near me,” especially if you find yourself excessively struggling for a longer time. Group therapy for women could be more than just a way to resolve a mental illness, but also a great way to hear about other women’s experiences and feel less alone as a product of it.
Mental health is an important aspect of one’s well-being, so make sure to always be working on it. Not only will you feel better as a result, but you’ll grow as a person and find new ways to understand yourself and others. And there’s no better way to overcome loneliness than by becoming confident in yourself and comfortable with others, which is something therapy for women can definitely help you with.
