(818) 245-5352Everybody feels alone from time to time. It is normal. Still, if feeling lonely is affecting your life greatly, there are things you can do to improve the situation. Knowing what to do when you feel lonely and sad can improve your mental health and, in the end, your quality of life. We will show you how to cope and deal with these emotions in the most productive way.
What Is Loneliness, and How to Recognize it?
Loneliness is a particular state of mind that often doesn’t have to imply that the person doesn’t want or doesn’t have any social contacts. Even though there are many definitions in psychology, all will agree that this feeling is highly subjective and can vary from person to person.
Human beings are social creatures, but still, one can feel lonely on the inside even when surrounded by close people. Isolation leads to loneliness, despair, and depression. This is why it is important to know how to recognize these feelings on time so you can cope with them. Here is what people usually experience when feeling lonely:
- You feel like you are not important,
- Like nobody needs you,
- Like you don’t really exist,
- Like you don’t have anyone to talk to,
- Like nobody understands you,
- Numbness,
- Disconnected when surrounded by people.
What Causes Loneliness?
There are numerous factors that can lead to this state of mind – divorce, the death of a dear person, changing the city or state, but even some less significant changes. Nevertheless, sometimes these experiences can actually be a sign of depression and anxiety. So if these feelings begin to manifest daily and interrupt your routine, you should consider booking your first therapy near me or an appointment or seek help in other ways. Sometimes, people can feel isolated because of how others treat them.
A lot of times, those who are exposed to violence (physical or mental), racism, and discrimination can feel the same way. When you are exposed to racism and discrimination, it is hard not to feel disconnected from the rest of the world. If this is the case, then seek counseling for women near you and talk with someone that can relate to these issues and help you.
Is Feeling Loneliness Normal?
The simple answer is yes – if you experience it occasionally, but if this is something that overwhelms you daily, it is probably a sign you need to change something in your life and seek help. Whether this help comes from self-care tips, group or individual women’s therapy, or from talking to a friend, it is something you should do so to keep your mind healthy.
Still, it is understandable if you don’t know how to deal with racism every day and keep your health in check. This is why it is crucial to become aware that these feelings are not your fault and that there are support mechanisms you can use to learn how to deal with all the bad in the world.
Being Alone Is Not the Same as Loneliness
Being alone is completely different from feeling lonely. In fact, it is even healthy to isolate yourself from others occasionally and have some “me time.” For example, you can be mentally exhausted and want some privacy to clear your mind and relax. This is something all mothers in the world dream of doing. But if you are surrounded by dear people and still think nobody gets you, then you are probably dealing with loneliness. And this is perfectly normal.
Man and woman, no matter how they respect and care for each other, can’t always perceive things in the same way. Sometimes only a woman can understand what the woman is going through. Or maybe you have a dear friend who is not a woman of color, she can be supportive and want to help, but she can never truly understand your situation. Still, more and more women decide to seek therapy for women of color because they wish to talk to a therapist who can truly relate to their problems. So if you experience loneliness or some anxiety symptoms, do not be afraid to seek therapy for women.
What to Do When You Feel Lonely?
Aside from group and emotional support you can get from a professional therapist of color, there are some self-care ideas for women you can implement to overcome whatever is bothering you, from depression to anxiety. And even though there are many tips on how to calm yourself down, if you don’t see any improvement, you should consider seeing a therapist.
Include Physical Activity Into Your Schedule
Fresh air and physical activity are not only good for your physical health but also for your mental health. There is no better cure for your body and mind than some kind of physical activity. And yes, going to the gym can make you feel even more anxious and isolated, but it will benefit you greatly if you practice this and turn it into your routine. Start by taking a walk around the neighborhood. Set yourself a goal and try to achieve it. You will get confidence and positive reinforcement once you start.
Practice Going Out as Much as You Can
It is easy for a person to isolate themselves even more. When you are disconnected from others mentally, the natural urge will be to disconnect yourself physically as well. But this is something you should avoid doing because it will only put you in a more difficult state of mind. Instead, push yourself to go out as much as you can, even if you are not in the mood to do so.
Force yourself and try to connect to people. You can sign up for some classes, find a new hobby, and who knows, maybe you will find new friends who will help you get a new, fresh perspective. You can even seek women’s counseling and see if they have some workshops for women you can sign up for.
Find Something to Do That Will Keep Your Mind Occupied
How do you stop feeling lonely? You will probably think the answer will be to call your friends to hang out. And this will probably work. You will be distracted and occupied for some period. But if you catch yourself sitting with friends, and your mind wanders too often, then you need to do something. Talk with them about what you are experiencing. Don’t be shy. They will probably share similar experiences and give you some advice.
You will feel appreciated and heard if nothing, which can only help you. Also, if you are thinking about what to do when you feel lonely at night, you can read a book, watch some show or just simply call a friend to talk about whatever, this will help and keep you occupied. Another great way to cope with these feelings is to get a dog. Not only will it be a great emotional support for you, but it will also force you to go out for a walk, and it will be a great cuddler.
Turn Your Loneliness Into a Good Thing
Maybe this sounds hard, but instead of thinking about how alone you are, you should think about how much time you have to yourself. Read a book or play some music, do yoga, cook for yourself. Do whatever you want, anything you usually don’t have the time for. You can even sign up to volunteer somewhere and help other people who are experiencing the same thing. This will be a positive thing not only for you but also for other women.
When Should You Seek Therapy for Women?
As we mentioned earlier, this is something everybody experiences. But if you start noticing other symptoms of depression or anxiety, you should seek counseling for women. Maybe there is a deeper cause to all those feelings you’re dealing with. Sometimes this can be caused by work stress or some other factor like the death of a dear person. But sometimes, the reason can be lifetime exposure to racism, discrimination, and violence.
With a counselor for women, you will learn how to recognize what is causing you to feel this way and how to cope with it most productively. Just remember, if you feel lonely and like there is nobody who can understand what you are going through, there are women in the same or similar situation as you who are willing to share their experiences and help you. And if you talk to some counselors for women, you will not be judged or shamed for anything you are sharing.
How Can I Be Happy When I Am Lonely?
First and foremost, you need to remind yourself that you are not alone and that things can change. Happiness is not something that just happens to us. It is something that we need to learn how to create and work on constantly. If you don’t know how to start, booking your first therapy appointment is a good way to go.
