Living alone can sometimes be a lifestyle choice, or it might be due to necessity or a culmination of circumstances. When living alone, for whatever reason, it can sometimes be difficult to combat loneliness and social isolation.
The adage of being ‘alone in a crowd’ highlights the fact that being amongst other people doesn’t mean that you can’t feel lonely at the same time. However, when solo home living means limited contact with others, a more profound feeling of disconnection can result.
The past few months have focused on many people who might not have been affected by it before. Various limitations on socializing due to the coronavirus pandemic, either self-imposed or legally mandated, have changed how most of us lead our daily lives.
For those living alone, this has brought many challenges to beat the adverse effects of isolation from everyday social routines. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to win this feeling of loneliness, even in these unprecedented times.
Online sociability
Our online world means limitless opportunities to connect with others 24/7. The most popular way is to use the platforms with the give-away clue in their name: social media.
Facebook became huge because people used it to keep in touch with friends and family. It also built on its predecessor, ‘Friends Reunited,’ by giving people the chance to find others with whom they have lost contact. Other social media sites, such as Twitter and Instagram, offer different connecting methods, and each attracts its own demographic and fan base.
In the early days of the internet, subject-specific forums played a much more significant role. Today, they still offer excellent opportunities to engage with others who might share your enthusiasm about subjects such as music, movies, TV, cars, cooking, or almost anything else you can imagine.
Web-based services
Of course, there are also less informal ways to use online platforms and services to combat loneliness and its associated problems.
Stress can easily result from feeling cut off from other people and the world in general, which can be helped by using online therapy for anxiety. A web-based approach to accessing professional help means you can do so much more discretely than attending an appointment at a physical address. It also means that it’s a perfect solution for anyone looking for this kind of therapy under social distancing conditions.
Pets
Having a pet is a well-known way to combat feelings of loneliness. Dogs and cats are the most popular choices, but more exotic and unusual animals can also provide the same sense of connection.
Taking a dog for a walk is a great motivation to get outdoors and into the fresh air. Pet ownership also brings another community of like-minded people who can offer help, advice, and tips either in the real world or online.
Hobbies
Of course, you are more likely to feel lonely when you let your mind focus on the idea too much. Keeping mentally active and engaged makes it far easier to keep the feelings at bay, so it is vital to have hobbies and interests that absorb your concentration.
Almost anything that would be classed as a hobby or general subject of interest will likely involve some form of social interaction, even if, once again, it takes place in the virtual world. The simple joys and pleasures that can come from taking a deep interest in a particular thing will be the reward in themselves.
Learning
One aspect of taking an initial interest in something to a deeper level usually involves learning more about it and its people. In more general terms, ‘learning’ can be a great way to combat loneliness, as structured educational programs usually involve interaction with others and, therefore, have a built-in social aspect.
Whether that means attending classes or participating in other group activities, challenging your mind to learn new things gives you a chance to focus on something positive. It will also expand your outlook and horizons outside of your home.
