What do you do when you’re feeling lonely? Do you call a friend or family member to talk things out? Do you go out of the house and interact with others? Or, do you do nothing and stay home alone, moping around in a slump?
It’s not uncommon to feel completely alone. You might be in a new city, a new apartment or even a new country. Or, maybe your friends live miles away. Or, maybe you feel like you don’t have close friends at all. Whatever the case may be, it’s hard to get yourself up from that slump and back into the swing of things when you feel lonely.
But it’s important to remember that there are ways to get yourself out of that lonely slump! Here are four ways to deal with loneliness and get yourself out of a slump, so you can start enjoying your life again:
- Make plans. Forcing yourself to make plans with others is the best way to pull yourself out of isolation. Even if you don’t feel like going out, make a commitment, and then hold yourself to it. It might be uncomfortable at first, but getting back in the habit of socializing will help you deal with loneliness in the long run.
- Find new people. If the people you usually hang out with aren’t available or aren’t doing anything exciting, find new people! This is a great time to expand your social circle by meeting some new acquaintances and maybe even making some new friends. While it’s not always easy to meet new people, doing so can be an excellent way to boost your confidence and get past feelings of loneliness.
- Get involved in your community. Community activities are a fantastic way to meet interesting people who share your interests or values. You can find an outdoor adventure group, join a book club or volunteer for a cause — whatever sounds fun or meaningful for you!
- Spend time with animals. Studies show that people who own pets are less likely to feel lonely or depressed than people who don’t own pets. And even if you don’t want the responsibility of owning a pet, visiting with friends’ or family members’ pets or volunteering at an animal shelter are great ways to feel better about yourself and the world around you.
