Man is a social animal and craves the company of others of his own kind. Our social structure is built on building stable relationships and sharing with other human beings. We long for the security and warmth of being surrounded by family and friends. Yet, there are phases in our life when we feel alone even in a crowd. There are times when we actively seek to be alone, there are others when we are unhappy being alone.
At times when we are lonely, we can help ourselves gain a positive outlook on life with the following tips:
- Take up a physical activity: It is a scientifically proven fact that the physical state of the body has an effect on the mind and vice versa. If we indulge in a physical activity e.g. walking, cycling, aerobics, the body releases endorphins which are “happy hormones”. These hormones help us into a calm, positive frame of mind.
- Take up a hobby: A hobby occupies our mind and also calms it. Learning a hobby like gardening, reading or handiwork enables us learn new skills and also gets us into contact with other people. Both of these add to our self esteem and helps combat loneliness.
- Keeping a journal: Often a feeling of loneliness and alienation stems from confused thoughts. Writing down our thoughts and keeping a gratitude journal enables us view things with clarity and compassion. Writing down the list of our blessings gives us positive outlook instilling a sense of hope. Sorting out things in our mind helps us combat negative feelings and get a clear sense of direction.
- Reach out to others: Man is an altruistic animal. When we reach out to others less privileged and give, we feel happier. Often participating in community or charitable volunteering endeavors helps us feel good about others and make friends.
- Talk to loved ones: Talking to friends or family and just being around loved ones makes us feel special. Picking up a phone to talk to a sibling, a friend or a parent helps us get rid of negativity and feel cherished. Often a loved one’s input helps us get a fresh perspective on life and its problems. Words of comfort and encouragement help us move ahead in life and look forward to a more satisfying life.
- Foster self esteem: All of us have ups and downs in life. We need to be less harsh on ourselves and love ourselves more. We should give ourselves credit for our accomplishments, no matter how small. Celebrating each victory can give us a morale boost to achieve even more. We need to foster self confidence with positive strokes to self.
Loneliness is but a frame of mind. Each of us is ultimately responsible for lifting ourselves out of this negative frame of mind.