How Do You Stop Feeling Lonely?

Do you feel isolated or disconnected from your relationships? You might be experiencing loneliness. Learn how to stop feeling lonely, the importance of socialization, and how loneliness impacts mental health.

Loneliness is a complex and deeply personal experience that can affect anyone, whether they’re feeling socially isolated, emotionally distant from loved ones, or struggling with low self-esteem. Some people might feel social loneliness from the absence of social relationships or meaningful connections while others might face emotional loneliness even in the presence of loved ones. Regardless of the kind of loneliness you’re feeling, healing is possible. Here are some tips on how to stop feeling lonely and how to develop a sense of belonging and connection.

4 tips for how to stop feeling lonely 

Personal growth, self-compassion, and cultivating meaningful relationships are all important parts of alleviating loneliness and creating a sense of belonging.  Here are some practical tips for stopping loneliness and fostering deeper, more fulfilling relationships.

1. Strengthen existing relationships

One of the most effective ways to combat loneliness is by reconnecting with people who have already been part of established relationships. Whether it’s reaching out to an old friend, making time for a close friend, or spending quality time with a romantic partner, investing in existing relationships can help reduce feelings of isolation without feeling the need to have a large social circle. In many cases, the other party may not notice when a person is feeling lonely, so being proactive and initiating contact is important for rebuilding relationships.

2. Create new social connections

As an adult, making new friends can be challenging, but it may be necessary when a person’s emotional needs aren’t being met. Settings such as community groups, participating in hobbies or activities a person enjoys, or volunteering can provide opportunities to meet like-minded people and create natural connections. Through these shared experiences, one may find that others are more open to forming new friendships than they originally thought.  

3. Practice positive psychology

Positive psychology is an approach that emphasizes mental well-being through practices like gratitude, mindfulness, and focusing on strengths. Shifting a negative perspective to one of optimism can greatly improve a person’s ability to build healthy relationships and help to approach social interactions with positivity and gratitude, making people more likely to attract and maintain connections that reduce loneliness. 

Furthermore, self-care, such as engaging in activities that bring joy, journaling, exploring creative hobbies, or exercising, can alleviate feelings of emptiness and provide a sense of accomplishment.

4. Seek therapy

For many, social anxiety is a major barrier to forming and maintaining social relationships and a contributor to loneliness. In more severe cases, working with a mental health professional, such as a clinical psychologist, can help address the underlying causes of social anxiety and develop healthy coping mechanisms. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is particularly effective for those dealing with negative thought patterns by reframing them into healthier ways of thinking, which can reduce social isolation. 

How to prevent loneliness in the long run

Many people wonder about their future and if they’re going to be alone forever, but there are ways to prevent that from happening. Preventing loneliness in the long run requires a consistent effort to maintain strong social relationships, as well as keeping social interaction a regular part of life. Small things such as coffee dates with friends or attending a local class will help keep feelings of loneliness from creeping in. 

Another important factor to focus on is mental well-being, as loneliness can sometimes become an opportunity for personal growth. Through engaging in self-care and mindfulness, emotional resilience can be developed to help strengthen a person’s ability to cope with being alone and turn that time into an opportunity for reflection rather than loneliness. 

The link between loneliness and mental health conditions

Loneliness and mental health are deeply interconnected, with each influencing the other in a cyclical way. Mental health conditions such as bipolar disorder, depression, and anxiety can make it harder to form and maintain relationships due to social anxiety, fear of judgment, or a lack of energy, which in turn amplifies feelings of loneliness. On the flip side, chronic loneliness can contribute to the onset of mental health disorders. Persistent isolation can lead to a decline in self-esteem, increased anxiety, and deeper feelings of sadness or despair, creating a vicious cycle where loneliness fuels mental health issues and vice versa.

The impact of chronic loneliness extends beyond emotional well-being, affecting both mental and physical health. It can worsen pre-existing mental health conditions and lead to new ones like depression, social anxiety, or even eating disorders. Physically, loneliness can weaken the immune system, increase the risk of heart disease, and reduce life expectancy in extreme cases.

Fortunately, therapy, medication, and support groups are available to help people manage both mental health symptoms and feelings of isolation. By addressing the mental health issues that contribute to loneliness, individuals can begin to break the cycle, form stronger social connections, and improve their overall quality of life.

How Charlie Health can help

If you or a loved one are struggling with chronic loneliness or an associated mental health condition, Charlie Health is here to help. Charlie Health’s virtual Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) provides more than once-weekly mental health treatment for dealing with serious mental health conditions including anxiety, depression, and more. Our expert clinicians incorporate evidence-based therapies into individual counseling, family therapy, and group sessions. With treatment, managing your mental health is possible. Fill out the form below or give us a call to start healing today.