Last year, Cadbury’s launched a UK wide campaign with Age UK, releasing limited edition word free packaging to highlight the issue of loneliness among the older generation. The figures released by the charity were staggering, - 225,000 older people often go a week without talking to someone - emphasising the ever-increasing need for all of us to act on this mass outbreak of loneliness. 

Unfortunately, it’s not just the older generation that are facing serious mental health issues as a consequence of feeling lonely. According to a 2019 YouGov Survey on loneliness, 88% of Britons aged 18 to 24 experience loneliness to some degree with up to 70% of over 55s feeling the same way. Whatever our age and circumstances, we all suffer from being lonely.

So how can you feel less lonely and how can you help others who may be feeling the same way? Here are some thoughts and suggestions that might help lessen that feeling of isolation for yourself and others. 

CONNECTING

Speak to someone, anyone! A friend, family member, professional or even chatting to your pet can help with loneliness (been there, done that). It may seem like simple advice but it can take a lot of courage to speak out and express our feelings on the subject.

Whatever your loneliness stems from, be it age, illness or other personal situations, you must share your thoughts with someone you trust. Sometimes it takes a while to find the right medium or person to talk to but keep trying and eventually you will feel better for talking about it. 

Websites and apps that help you meet those around you are a game changer when it comes to connecting. One example is Meetup, a global app helping you to find local groups that are either meeting up for a chat social, a common interest or even business related networking. 

SWITCHING OFF

Being online undoubtedly has its pros by allowing us to stay connected. However, conducting my own little poll (thank you Instagram followers) highlighted that even though 61% of responders didn’t feel social media made them lonely, 70% didn’t think it made any difference in helping alleviate feelings of loneliness either. 

Great as it is to be able to speak to someone and see their face whenever you want to, it’s also the reason hashtags like ‘FOMO’ were created. Seeing people out and about enjoying themselves will definitely make someone at home on their own feel lonely and isolated. The irony is we all have, myself included, posted snapshots of our lives which project a conflicting image to how we’re truly feeling. 

To read more about millennials’ relationship with life online as well as the importance of self care, read our Lifestyle Editor’s article here.

VOLUNTEERING

Why not contribute to the wellbeing of your community by dedicating some of your time to volunteering? Not only will it combat some of your own feelings of loneliness by connecting and working with others but it will also help people feel valued and less lonely. 

Become a call companion for the elderly by volunteering for charities such as Silver Line or Re-Engage. Donate your time to help out at your local food bank with charities like The Trussell Trust or call up charities to see if they need specialist knowledge or skills you can provide. 

EVALUATING YOUR LIFE CHOICES

Sometimes we have to ask ourselves bigger questions regarding the life we have and whether it is right for us and our mental health. Living in big cities can be exciting with careers that are financially rewarding, but ask yourself if you are truly happy with the lifestyle you are living or would you benefit from moving somewhere else?

Perhaps choosing a different career or even working for another company will go some way in helping your loneliness. Creating a life where you feel more confident and comfortable with yourself will allow you to connect with others too. 

Making big life changes can be a challenge but sitting down with friends and family who know you well or even seeking  professional advice from your doctor or career mentor could help guide you to a suitable solution.

CREATING AND FOLLOWING A ROUTINE

Scheduling your time wisely requires planning but once you find a suitable routine it will make you feel in control of your life and what you are achieving. Spontaneity is fun but it’s always worth scheduling time to catch up with others, exercise and rest.

Making sure you are waking up and sleeping at similar times every day is also important for mental wellbeing and does impact loneliness. According to a study published in Nature Communications: a lack of sleep leads to a behavioural profile of social withdrawal and loneliness. 

Eating a balanced diet, exercising and moderating alcohol and caffeine are things we know we should be doing, but it’s not the isolated smaller improvements that will fix loneliness. It is the collective nature of these habits that result in a better overall mood and alleviate feelings of loneliness. 

CULTIVATING CALM

As the issue of loneliness is housed under the wider umbrella of mental health, ensuring our anxiety and stress levels are regulated comes hand in hand with keeping feelings of loneliness at bay.

Finding ways to harness a state of calm through apps such as Calm or Breethe as well as reflective journal writing are simple yet effective methods for becoming more self aware and able to understand feelings of loneliness.

The state of being lonely is a complex one, with far too many variables at play to pin down a single way in which we can ‘get rid of it’. Many aspects of our life can cause loneliness, sometimes they are out of our control and require a much more comprehensive approach to combatting the feeling. 

It is important to communicate when you feel lonely; talking it out will start a conversation that could lead to other solutions and sometimes begin the most important step of all. 

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Written by Rosanna Christou

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