Loneliness – help yourself NOW with these steps

Loneliness is a feeling that many people have experienced from time to time.

At its very essence, it can be viewed as the experience of feeling cut off or disconnected from someone, something, or even yourself.

That is why for some, it is only experienced in certain aspects of their life or at certain times whereas for others, it can be more chronic and remain in the background as a constant.

For some, the feeling is so great it can have nothing to do with the degree of social contact, relationships, family or community. The feeling is all consuming and can even attract or occur simultaneously with other negative states such as fear, depression or anxiety.

What causes someone to feel loneliness?

It is usually a stressful life event or trauma that triggers the emotion to come to be.

Typical events could be:

• Divorce or relationship break up
• Bereavement or loss
• Bullying or abuse
• House move or relocation of some sort
• Stress
• Career issues
• Deliberate exclusion by peers, colleagues, friends or family
• Social media
• Self-image complex
• Financial worries (not having enough or having too much)
• Fears and phobias
• Discrimination of any sort
• Estrangement from family

Your perspective of loneliness causes suffering

Loneliness is a lower vibration emotion or feeling. The arising of this feeling is not a problem in itself, it is more the meaning we give it through the filter of our own perspective. Any attachment or meaning we give it can pave the way for suffering. The more meaning, energy and focus we give it, the more suffering we will experience. If you feel lonely, you have probably noticed that dwelling on it only makes it worse.

An opportunity to grow

If we take a step back, the level of emotional suffering we may be facing could be an indicator that something in our current life experience is out of balance and not working for us.

Think of the loneliness feelings as a message from the sub-conscious that something in our life needs to be addressed. If that life issue is addressed and resolved, it not only creates an opening to grow as an individual, it also can allow the feeling of loneliness to dissipate or retreat.

The reality is it’s usually something in our past that needs to be acknowledged and appeased. It could be some trauma, event, irrational fear or something else we’re trying to avoid experiencing that is giving rise to the feelings of loneliness.

Tips and steps you can take NOW to manage loneliness

Below are just a few suggestions to consider if loneliness is something you or someone you know are currently facing:

Find an activity or space where you feel a sense of connection

Feeling a sense of connection is the direct opposite to feeling lonely. Therefore, seeking and experiencing a sense of connection could help you on the path to easing your suffering.

This could be being in nature such as in a park, forest or by a lake. Perhaps it could be walking a dog, meditation, joining a social or community club or even volunteering somewhere. Something which takes your mind off the loneliness feeling whilst allowing you to feel more at ease from within.

It is an easy way to feel lifted and have a greater sense of fulfilment when immersed in nature or by being directly engaged in activities that are of service to others.

Talk to someone

We are social beings and for many, connection with others can help ease the sense of loneliness. Seeking the company of people who can lift your spirits and have an air of positivity about them can do wonders for your mood and general outlook.

Try to seek someone in your circle you are inspired by and is at ease with themselves. Being in their presence could help change your own perspective of your current circumstances.

Laughter and Loneliness

Whether through comedy programs, laughter yoga or something else, the physical act of laughing releases natural endorphins to help lift the nervous system and make everything seem less bad than you may think. Doing this frequently can help lift your spirits and bring some much needed joyous energy.

Laughter is often viewed as a tonic for the soul!

Improve your physical health

Many consider physical wellbeing to be absolutely vital when addressing mental health issues. Feeling healthy and improving personal vitality can drastically improve our sense of aliveness, connection and positivity. After all, if you feel more energetic and vibrant from within, how can lower vibrations such an loneliness take hold?!

For lasting results, this one really does help.

Seek professional help

If the feeling of loneliness is really getting to you and you’re finding it unmanageable or perhaps feel on the verge of depression or a breakdown, or you find yourself engaging in a vice (drink, drugs, TV, video games etc.) a little too often, it may be worth seeing your doctor, a counsellor or trying some alternative therapy.

Working with an emotional release or transformation specialist could help you overcome feelings of loneliness, shed unwanted emotional baggage and put you on the path to achieving a deeper sense of connection much quicker than you may think.