Types Of Loneliness & Solutions-Which One Are You Struggling With?
As many of us will know, we don’t need to be physically alone to feel lonely. A toxic friendship or relationship can be incredibly isolating, for example, spending too much time with people we don’t feel close to can have damaging effects on our mentality, even if we’re only interacting with them through our phones.
Loneliness affects people in different ways, and for this reason, there are four distinct types of loneliness identified by psychologists: emotional, social, situational, and chronic.
More Lifestyle & Wellness Related PostsLoneliness has always been a challenge but more so in the last year when many people were forced to quarantine and stay under lockdown for months on end. It’s easy to open Facebook or Instagram and chat with our friends online but what about having a real, intimate conversation with a friend over coffee?
Types Of Loneliness & Solutions-Which One Are You Struggling With?
1. Emotional loneliness
“Those who are emotionally lonely will find it difficult to improve things without tackling the root of the problem. “Emotional loneliness is not circumstantial but, rather, comes from within.”
The doctor recommends therapy to help tackle the root cause of these feelings of emotional loneliness. “Working with a therapist, possibly with a technique such as behavioural cognitive therapy, or attending group therapy, is likely to lead to the best possible outcome,” she says.
“The person in question can start to understand why they are lonely, how their background and experiences have contributed to behaviors that make things worse, and how they can develop a new, and more useful, set of behaviors.”
2. Situational loneliness
Many millennials choose to work abroad for a few years in their 20s and 30s, and the rise in solo travel means a great number of us are planning to jet off on solo adventures once the coronavirus pandemic has passed.
What Can You Do About Why We Feel Dead Inside Right NowWhile these plans are undoubtedly exciting, it can also be a period of adjustment as we try to make new friends while simultaneously getting to grips with a new culture and way of life – potentially leading to situational loneliness.
3. Social Loneliness
Some friendships can be comfortable even if none of you engage in a conversation, however, some friendships can make you feel lonely even when you’re surrounded by others. These kinds of superficial friendships are rarely authentic and can worsen your loneliness.
Powerful Tips To Develop Your Emotional IntelligenceOne of the ways to fix this is to establish connections that are more emotional than material. It’s important to have one friend who can be your confidant and your support system.
4. Social Media Loneliness
Social media brings us together but it can also make us feel lonely or worsen our loneliness. For example, after scrolling through my social media, where I see others in relationships, I begin to feel lonely even if I wasn’t feeling the same before.
How To Overcome Negative Emotions Like Sadness And Anger-Read Now!To avoid this type of loneliness, you can limit your exposure to social media and work on strengthening the bonds of your existing relationships. Make sure you spend your time more with your family and friends in real life than you do on social media.
4. Intimate Loneliness
It is not uncommon to feel lonely in a relationship, especially if you or your partner isn’t making the effort to connect emotionally. If you can’t connect with your partner, it can create feelings of loneliness and can take away the intimacy of a relationship.
One way to resolve this can be to talk to your partner about your loneliness. Maybe they haven’t realized that you’ve been feeling lonely even when you’re with them. Let them know.
How To Overcome Loneliness?
It’s important to identify the type of loneliness you’re struggling with to get the right help. When you know why you’re feeling lonely, only then you will be able to address your type of loneliness the right way.
Here’s what you can do to overcome loneliness:
Do What You Love
If you find yourself lonely, then embrace the time and turn it around. Take this time as an opportunity to do what you love doing and never had the time to do. Maybe you’ve been wanting to try some “me time”, so take this opportunity to embrace yourself.
Adopt A Pet
If you’re lonely for some reason, try to not let your negative thoughts and feelings take over. If you can, adopt a pet. Did you know that having a pet can alleviate your stress and make you feel less lonely?
Loneliness and How Pets Can HelpFocus On Your Hobbies
Focusing on your hobbies can also help overcome your loneliness. If you find yourself feeling lonely, try to take your energy and do something creative. If you don’t want to focus on your hobbies, you can try doing meditation or self-reflection.
Join A Support Group
One of the best ways to overcome loneliness is to join support groups or various clubs. Sure, social media can make us feel lonely but social media can also help us connect with others around the globe struggling with the same as you are.
Join A Support GroupIf you like doing outdoor activities like hiking, cycling, or playing sports, then you can consider joining your local community center in your free time. And, it’s an amazing way to meet new people!
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