The absence of people around you doesn't necessarily mean you're lonely. Loneliness is a situation that develops when you isolate yourself from people and prefer to be isolated for the long term. It could be for any number of reasons. For someone young, it could be their parents fighting all the time; for someone older, it may be due to failed exams or a breakup. In this article, we will see what causes loneliness and how to handle it.

Causes of Loneliness

There are different causes of loneliness. Let's explore them in detail.

Situational environment changes

Moving to a new place make you develop a fear of being alone. You are in a new home, but you have no friends and no connection with your surroundings. You may experience a cultural change or a demographic change that creates anxiety. You may find yourself asking, "How can I adjust to this new situation, and how to deal with this loneliness?"

Social contact

Social interaction is important for staying connected and living a healthy life. But, when you are cut off socially, you live an isolated life.

• Marriage and family issues

Many Married couples suffer loneliness. These couples usually put more priority on work and their children, instead of communicating with each other. Children often experience loneliness when they discover that their parents are struggling with work or financial problems. Often times, when children want to reconnect to their parents, l their parents brush off the issues and try to redirect their children to focus on something else, such as schoolwork.

• Failure to maintain friendship

Remember the days of sitting with friends and sharing witty jokes? However, with time, you may find yourself losing friends and those deep connections. The stress from work and family might take up your whole life and leave you feeling depressed. As a result, losing touch with your friends may eventually lead to loneliness.

Character disorder

Psychological factors also play a critical role in a person's well-being. If you are suffering from one or more mental disorders, you might experience loneliness.

• Mental health illnesses

Depression, stress, and loneliness can drain energy levels, weaken the immune system, and lead to personality disorders. It creates memory losses sometimes and affects people's decision-making abilities. If people don't know how to deal with loneliness, they might turn to alcoholism, smoking, and other substances.

• Lack of self-confidence and fear of rejection

Low self-esteem and lack of confidence give rise to feelings of rejection and isolation. If someone is really shy, he or she might remain being alone, thinking that he or she is a misfit in society.

How to Deal With Loneliness

Find out why you feel lonely

Loneliness does not have to be a permanent thing. First, you just need to figure out the reason why you may be feeling lonely. Try to uncover the underlying factors of your loneliness; if you are unable to figure out the reasons, a therapist or a sincere friend can also help you.

Spend time with your family

Get involved in your family gatherings. Even if you don't want to, make sure to dedicate some time for family meals or family game nights.

Participate in activities with friends

Call your friends and socialize. Plan road trips, meetups, events, and movie plans. Connecting with other people will help you overcome stressful times.

Practice meditation and yoga

In order to deal with being lonely, you need to get involved in some healthy activities like doing yoga, meditation, or exercise. These activities can refresh your mind and remind you that you are unique.

Volunteer

Helping other people provides inner peace and a sense of fulfillment. Participating in community service will help you meet and connect with your community.

Get a pet

If you are living alone, having a cat or dog might help reduce loneliness. Pets help to keep a person active, and increases physical movements.

Develop a hobby

Developing a hobby is to create an emotional commitment with yourself. No one is forcing you - you are free to do whatever you want. It could be writing poetry, gardening, or painting.

Counseling psychologist

If none of the above works, then it is necessary to visit a psychologist. A psychologist knows how to deal with loneliness. He/she assesses the nature and intensity of the situation and will help you figure the reasons behind your loneliness.

Conclusion

Being lonely is a tough but curable situation. It is time to bring awareness to this issue and support those who are suffering from loneliness.

Follow the video to find out more about how to deal with loneliness.