A common misconception is that, when you’re young, you won’t be lonely. You have a phone? Surely that means the world is at your fingertips. You can talk to anyone whether that be by message or video. So why would you be lonely? You can be out and about socialising. You’re young! However, this is not the case. In fact, 61% of young people ages 18-25 reported experiencing profound loneliness even though they are the most tech savvy stereotypically.
Read on to see some tips on how to tackle loneliness no matter what your age.
- Explore hobbies
Taking your mind off things, putting your focus into something new, can help you navigate loneliness. Hobbies allow your mind to feel free and not trapped due to certain feelings. They can make you feel less trapped in your own bubble, and they can also give you a strong sense of achievement. Some hobbies to try might be sports, art (like crocheting, painting, starting a blog or YouTube channel), or reading a good book can take you to a whole other world!
2. Talk to people about how you are feeling
Express yourself! Tell those around you how you are feeling. You never know if they may be feeling something similar. A problem shared is a problem halved! You can do things at your own pace and take your time. Opening up is a big part of dealing with loneliness and having those conversations can help you move forward. A way to have this conversation with friends you are worried about might be to keep it as simple as “Are you ok?”. It is easy to just glaze over this in a conversation, but it’s the most important part. It is okay to not be, and talking is a great way to get on that journey to being okay.
3. Disconnect from the online world and your phone
Get outside in the fresh air! Explore the world around you. Nature can be the best cure for loneliness. Gardening is a great way to do this with many garden centres selling seed kits so you can grow your own tomatoes or herbs whilst you are at it. Connecting with the outside puts things into perspective. When you are feeling down, a good thing to do outdoors is to sit and look at how beautiful the sky is even when it’s gloomy. It is difficult to experience nature in a city, but Coventry and Warwickshire have beautiful green spaces and amazing skylines. Just look at the Whittle arches and the Cathedral! There are some beautiful parks including Top Green Park, Nauls Mill, and the War Memorial Park.
4. Think about what you have to be thankful for
It is all about the little things in life! Everything from having your favourite coffee for breakfast, to getting out of bed in the morning. It all matters! Writing a list of all the things you have to be thankful for and why can really help put things into perspective. Loneliness should not overshadow all the good things you have in life. The good things should shine bright! Take a trip down memory lane every so often to realise what you have to be thankful for, maybe it’s all the amazing pictures with your family or amazing places you’ve been, or what food you have eaten. Everybody loves a good scroll through their camera roll to look back because, even though there were bad times, there were still some amazing good times too. Don’t forget the good times are still rolling and if it’s not so good for you right now the brighter days will be back soon. Hold tight till then!
5. Put yourself in new and “out of your comfort zone” situations
It’ll give you a new lease of life, trying something new. It helps you build courage. Stepping out of your comfort zone means moving away from the negativity. In a way, you are proving to yourself you are more than loneliness, more than your doubts about yourself. Being in new situations allows you to unleash your creative side and flourish in confidence, which will help you learn to be comfortable with your own company and become at peace with yourself. You don’t have to always fill the silence.
If you need any mental health support please reach out. You can contact the Samaritans based in Earlsdon on 116 123 or through online chat jo@samaritans.org https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/
Alternatively, MIND Coventry based in Whitaker Road has a variety of services available for wellness including Adult counselling.
Article written by Hillz reporter Aimee Morley