Feeling Lonely When You Live Alone and How to Deal with It

The pandemic made a lot of people realize how lonely they feel; with no one to speak to when you’re stuck indoors, it might be difficult to take care of your well-being and stay connected to the outside world. Even now when restrictions have eased off, many still struggle with loneliness.

Is It Normal to Feel Lonely?

Everybody feels lonely from time to time and since we are social creatures, we all need some human contact. Living alone might exacerbate the feeling of loneliness, especially if you often use social media and see other people posting pictures from meetings with friends.

Is Feeling Lonely the Same as Being Alone?

These two mean different things, although they often go hand in hand. While being alone is a physical state, feeling lonely is an emotional one. You can be surrounded by people and still struggle with loneliness or you can be mostly on your own but still feel connected with others. But it’s good news because it means it’s possible to be less lonely even when you live on your own.

Here are a few tips:

1. Stay in touch with people you love

As harmful as technology can be for our mental health sometimes, this is when you can use it to your advantage. Make sure you keep in touch with your friends and family as often as possible. Sending a good morning text might not seem like a huge thing but will help you stay more emotionally connected.

2. Try to stay connected to the world in small ways

Avoid isolating yourself completely and getting stuck in your own world. Instead, find ways you can stay present such as taking some time to look out of the window and simply focussing on the surroundings or saying hi to the neighbours.

3. Consider a digital detox

Scrolling on social media for too long is the worst thing you can do to your mental health when you’re feeling lonely. It can make you compare yourself to others who seem to have a rich social life and cause the fear of missing out. Try to reduce the time you spend online and use it for a healthy distraction instead, such as immersing yourself in a new hobby.

4. Use background noise

Sometimes something as simple as playing a TV series in the background can make you feel less alone. If you find comfort in silence, this might not be for you but otherwise, it’s a nice trick to make you feel less trapped in your own mind.

5. Plan social meetings

Lastly, make being sociable a part of your weekly or monthly routine. Just because you live alone doesn’t mean you have to stay isolated from other people all the time. 

If you’re struggling and there’s nothing that seems to make you feel better, consider seeking professional help. My Family Psychologist can offer you a confidential chat to explore your options