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Loneliness

Oct 14, 2021

Loneliness can have a negative impact on your mental health since it can trigger depression and anxiety. Poor Mental health can, in turn, also contribute to isolation and loneliness since it often stops people from being able to join in activities they may otherwise enjoy and impact confidence.
There are many life changes that can increase loneliness – starting something new such as a new school or college, university, moving home or country or the distancing or breakup of a relationship.
The pandemic has contributed to a huge sense of loneliness. The isolation imposed by safety measures, difficulty in meeting new friends or maintaining friendships, not being able to see loved ones, being excluded from participating in social activities such as team sport, increased loss through ill health, working from home away from work colleagues have all participated to increased loneliness in many groups of people.
Certain times of year can also be lonely. Loneliness at Christmas is not new but this year it is likely that many more people will be lonely as a result of ill health, isolation, quarantine or loss.

Tips to combat loneliness:

  • Virtual connections are better than none.
  • Setting up regular contact, calling a friend whilst out for a walk, writing letters the old-fashioned way should all help if carried out regularly.
  • Learning a new hobby that helps connect to someone else or a group.
  • Having a regular activity that gets you out of the home and around people.
  • Volunteering helps connections so donate a little love
  • Making sure you connect with someone new, such as for example, a room-mate at university.
  • If you know someone is on their own then suggest meeting up with them to play a game of cards, play a loved childhood game, watch a movie or even learn a new craft together.
  • Catch self-defeating thoughts which can play most of the time when you are on your own.
  • Have some tasks you can do when you catch yourself overthinking in a negative way.
  • Show up to meetings with others even if it is an effort.
  • Make someone’s day with a smile