8 Activities You Can Do When You Feel Lonely

Illustration (Andrea Piacquadio/Pexels)

JAKARTA - Feeling lonely doesn't only happen when you're alone. In fact, some people enjoy their time alone. On the other hand, just because you're around other people doesn't mean you can't feel lonely. You may even feel lonely when you are in a room full of people.

When you don't feel connected to anyone or find it difficult to understand, you may feel as though you are completely alone even when you are around friends or family.

Loneliness is normal. But if left unchecked, it can have a negative impact on emotional and physical health. Several studies have found that loneliness is as bad as smoking 15 cigarettes per day.

Whether you feel lonely at home alone or experience a deep sense of loneliness that never goes away, it's important to deal with loneliness in a healthy way. Here are eight things you can do when you're feeling lonely, according to Very Well Mind, Wednesday, March 2nd.

Admit if you feel lonely

Don't waste energy fighting your feelings or trying to suppress your emotions. Everyone feels lonely sometimes and this doesn't mean you're a loser or weak. Research has found that labeling feelings reduces their intensity. So admitting you're lonely can help your brain understand your feelings and instantly help reduce them.

Find out why

There are times when problems need to be solved, but other times there are times to find out about them. Consider whether the best way to deal with loneliness should involve solving the problem (by connecting with someone) or solving how you feel about the problem (keeping your emotions in check).

If you're feeling lonely and have a friend or family member to call, you might decide how to work around the problem by calling them because you know talking on the phone helps ward off loneliness.

But if no one answers the phone, engage in healthy coping strategies that will allow you to feel better. Drawing, knitting, or gardening are examples of activities that can help you deal with loneliness in a healthy way.

Join a group or club

In addition to potentially connecting with old friends, you may also be able to connect with new people. Look for community activities that you feel are right for you. Or try attending one event and prioritizing talking to a few people. You'll find that attending different events or joining different clubs helps you meet more people.

reading books

Reading a book gets you into the head of the character or narrator. This will help understand how other people think and help you feel more connected. Either way, books can expand the world and help overcome loneliness.

Learn new things

When lonely, try to learn new things. Whether it's a new language or a new skill, they can all help you feel better. This can also be an opportunity to open doors to meet new people. Sign up for a cooking class or look for online courses that can be followed according to your talents and interests.

Do a hobby

When lonely, the right thing to do is to explore hobbies that have been neglected. If you don't have any hobbies, make it a priority to find them. Experiment with different activities, from fishing to sculpting or whatever until you find something you like.

Cooking a new menu

You can experiment with trying new recipes without worrying about being judged or judged by your family, friends or partner.

Listening to music

According to several studies, music can improve cognitive performance, unlock creativity, and improve your mood.