Article Trunk



Don’t Let Loneliness Get You Down

03.29.2012 · Posted in Self Improvement Articles

Loneliness can be debilitating, sometimes leading to feelings of depression. The important thing to realize about coping with loneliness is that it does require action. Loneliness won’t just magically go away. The encouraging news for those dealing with loneliness is that the “cure” is often simple and effective. Here are a few tips and strategies for getting yourself out of the loneliness hole and back into action.rnrnDon’t Succumb to Self-PityrnrnIt is said that our attitude controls our behavior. In the context of getting over loneliness, this means one must not feel sorry for oneself. When lonely feelings creep in, we can feel different from others and think that we’re the only ones in the world with this issue. This type of thinking can lead us further down the path to self-pity. rnrnRealize that everyone, yes everyone, goes through periods of loneliness. Perhaps for a time all our friends seem too busy for us; or our family members are more interested in their own problems. We begin to feel isolated and alone. Throwing off self-pity is as easy getting up and engaging in the world. This doesn’t have to mean being around people (although there’s nothing wrong with that. Here are a few ways to reconnect without having to even leave one’s own home.rn rnManaging Loneliness through ReadingrnrnThere are many types of books and readings one can take advantage of to get over feelings of loneliness. On one end of the spectrum are books directly related to fighting loneliness. These can be inspirational stories, meditations, scripture, personal accounts and the like. These help because we realize our common bond with others who suffer alongside us. Often these reading have also teach us how others got through their troubled times.rnrnOn the other end, are books and readings that allow us to loose ourselves in the moment. A hilarious book or magazine just allows our mind to rest and not dwell on our troubles. This can be like a form of meditation. Our mind is simply too entertained to worry or feel troubled. Laughter also releases endorphins, which are the brain’s feel good hormone. The more you laugh the more endorphins are released, and the better you’ll feel. rnrnReach Out and Connect Without Fear of RejectionrnrnOne of the problems with being lonely is that what started us on the path to begin with was some perceived slight or rejection from a person or group. This can then make one reluctant to reach out and connect as we fear further rejection. One way to eliminate this fear is through writing letters. Yes, a good old fashion letter. rnrnSince we have moved to communicating electronically through the phone and email, a personal letter is now considered a treat for those who receive one. So pick up a pen and start writing. Doing something to make others feel good without any expectation of return is a sure fire method of feeling better (remember those endorphins?). Letter writing is also a good mind quieting exercise. Most experts agree that feeling lonely is often the result of negative introspection. In other words, we keep dwelling on the rejection we feel and wonder if there is something “wrong” with us that doesn’t deserve attention. Turn that focus inside out and reach out to someone else. Making someone else feel connected will in turn help us to feel connected too.rnrnSurviving loneliness doesn’t have to require radical change in our lives and behavior. By adjusting our attitude and taking small positive steps, we can beat back the creeping feeling of being lonely.

Leave a Reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.