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Dec 4, 2023 · Feeling alone from time to time can be normal, but persistent loneliness might be a sign of depression. Here's how to cope and what you can do to feel less alone.
- New-situation loneliness. You’ve moved to a new city where you don’t know anyone, or you’ve started a new job, or you’ve started at a school full of unfamiliar faces.
- I’m-different loneliness. You’re in a place that’s not unfamiliar, but you feel different from other people in an important way that makes you feel isolated.
- No-sweetheart loneliness. Even if you have lots of family and friends, you feel lonely because you don’t have the intimate attachment of a romantic partner.
- No-animal loneliness. Many people have a deep need to connect with animals. If this describes you, you’re sustained by these relationships in a way that human relationships don’t replace.
- Normalize loneliness. As John Cacioppo, a researcher in the field of loneliness, points out, loneliness is on the rise—from 11 percent to 20 percent in the 1970s and 1980s to 40 percent to 45 percent in 2010.
- Relate loneliness to your values of connection. It may sound invalidating, but we can also ask, “What is loneliness good for?” I would suggest that loneliness reminds us of the value of connection, intimacy, or simply sharing experiences with others.
- Have a plan. The first part of developing a plan is to identify your “trouble times” for loneliness. It might be evenings, weekends, or holidays. Have a plan in advance for these times.
- You don’t need someone else to do something rewarding. So often people will say, “I have no one to do things with." You don’t need someone else to go to the movies, go for a walk, work out, go to a concert, or take up a new hobby.
Learn how to overcome loneliness and isolation with practical tips and strategies. Find out the causes, effects and ways to cope with feeling alone and disconnected from others.
Jul 25, 2022 · Learn 13 tips to cope with loneliness, even if you're alone. Find out how to reframe, practice gratitude, play music, call a friend, and more.
Aug 8, 2024 · Learn the difference between being alone and being lonely, and how to enjoy your own company. Find out 20 ways to be your own best friend, from avoiding social media to taking yourself on a date.
Humans have a complicated relationship with being alone. The benefits of solitude are praised by spiritual leaders, philosophers, and artists, and in a recent survey, 85 percent of adults said it’s important to them to spend some time completely alone.
