Loneliness is a condition when one desires social connection with a sense of perceived isolation over a long period of time. Although loneliness is not a specific mental health condition, but it may affect your mental wellbeing. You may experience loneliness when you believe others don’t accept you or you feel separated from the world around you.

People have different needs for alone time as it helps you relax and recharge. However, experiencing loneliness is very typical for a person who has been diagnosed with agoraphobia or panic disorder. Often loneliness and isolation go hand in hand, and both can affect your mental and physical health.

Loneliness frequently occurs with anxiety and mood disorders and that might prompt someone to distance themselves from others as they may be embarrassed and feel unwanted.

Why do people feel Lonely?

One can feel lonely because of various reasons such as work from home, change in jobs, city or schools, end of a relationship or living alone for the first time.  It may be not easy to talk about loneliness to someone. Lack of meaningful conversation can also contribute to loneliness. You may feel lonely even if you have a huge friend circle.

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Symptoms

If you are experiencing loneliness, you may feel empty, sad or as if you are lacking something important. Some of the symptoms can be:

• Insomnia, interrupted sleep, or other sleeping disorder
• Decreased energy
• Decrease appetite, body aches and pains
• Feeling of self-doubt, worthlessness, or hopelessness
• Feeling foggy or unable to focus
• Feeling of anxiousness or restlessness
• Falling sick frequently
• Increased shopping
• Increase desire to binge-watch shows or movies
• Substance misuse
• Craving for physical warmth

If you are experiencing any symptoms taking professional help may work. Even though there is no treatment for loneliness, but therapy can help a lot as it lets one explore ways to make positive changes. The best way is to find what causing you loneliness and addressing it.

Also read: Why women feel colder than men

How can you deal with being alone?  

• Stay in touch with loved ones

If you are feeling lonely or living alone talk to you friends and family, you may call or do a video call.

• Make alone time for yourself

Everyone needs alone time to think, revive, recharge, and relax. Every person has different needs for alone time. You may meditate, dance, paint or do anything you like.

• Volunteer or participate in community events

Try to find something new that you might be interested in and try to get involved. Consider donating a weekend, a month to local animal shelter, help at library book sales or help in trash cleanup.

• Get out of the house

Technology has made everything easier and has a lot of benefits, but it can make it easier to miss out. Try to go out for walk, talk to neighbour, make a goal of greeting and talking to strangers each time you go out.

• Try a new hobby

If you have a good amount of time and you are feeling lonely, think about things you always wanted to try. Also, apps like Meetup, Facebook and Instagram may help you find events in your community or around you.

• Adopt a Pet

Researchers claim that having a pet can have a number of mental health benefits, especially loneliness. Taking your pet to walk can also help increase your chances of meeting new people.   

• Make time for exercise

Regular exercise can help positively your mental health. Though exercise can’t relieve loneliness but can help you in improving your mood and increasing the feeling of wellness.

• Practice Self-care

Self-care is always a good idea if you are feeling lonely. Eating healthy food, taking enough sleep, and exercising will make you feel better. 

• Going out

Researchers claim that spending some time in nature can help relieve anxiety, stress, and depression. Team sport or group walk can also help in communicating with others.

Also read: How breathing techniques can tackle your anxiety

The Bottom line

It’s not bad to be alone sometimes, it is important to have “me time” to recharge and relax yourself. But loneliness can affect your sleep, mood, and health. 

There is no treatment for loneliness, but therapy can help as it may teach you tips to cope up with the feeling of loneliness and helps in exploring ways to make positive changes. Best way is to find out how to address it. Dealing with loneliness may be difficult if you are introvert and shy. But you should overcome it for your own mental wellbeing.