Coping with Loneliness in Tough Time

How to Cope with Loneliness in Tough Times?

Loneliness is a sorrowful feeling of isolation that can result from a lack of social contact. It could be due to social isolation. Even if you are surrounded by people, you may still feel lonely. An event or a change in circumstances can set it off. You might have been feeling lonely for a long time.

Before understanding the tips and strategies to cope with the feeling of isolation, you must comprehend what type of isolation you are dealing with.

Different Types of Loneliness 

Interpersonal loneliness

Loneliness is a form of interpersonal isolation. The adage “it’s not the quantity of your relationships that matters, it’s the quality of your relationships” holds true here. Certain personality types may crave social contacts more than others. 

It’s also important to consider your group identity, such as whether you belong to a group that society has historically scorned or repressed.

Intrapersonal Loneliness

Intrapersonal isolation entails denying a part of oneself. “A part of me has perished”, have you ever said? Do you remember a period when you felt whole but then felt fragmented following a horrific event? Perhaps you’ve felt disjointed since then. 

Or did parts of you never get an opportunity to develop, perhaps as a result of family turmoil throughout your childhood? If that’s the case, you may be familiar with intrapersonal isolation.

Existential Loneliness

Existential solitude is “a pit of loneliness with multiple approaches”. The person will inevitably be drawn into that vale by a confrontation with death and freedom. The existential kind of isolation refers to the intrinsic divide that remains between people, regardless of how tight their relationships are. 

Your feelings about an event, such as the Coronavirus fear, are unique to you, and your perceptions of it, as well as the particular encounters you have as a result of it, will exist only within you. Others may share similar viewpoints and experiences, yet the divide between them remains unbridgeable.

Lockdown loneliness

Lockdown loneliness refers to “loneliness resulting because of social disconnection due to enforced social distancing and lockdowns during pandemics and similar other emergency situations” such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

What to Do If You’re Feeling Lonely or Isolated

Being aware of when you’re feeling lonely can help you strive to alter things. You could, for example, keep a simple journal for a week. This can help you figure out if there are certain times or situations that make you feel lonely.

Seek out chances to feel more connected. Set a weekly goal for yourself, such as calling an old acquaintance or speaking with your neighbor. 

You may be able to seek help if there are practical impediments to going out, such as caring for someone or a lack of money or transportation.

Keep yourself updated about what’s happening  

While you don’t want to feed your anxiety and panic by constantly hearing about the virus’s progress, staying up to date on the newest tips and health facts can help you safeguard your mental health (and as a result, decreasing the impact of isolation).

To some extent, limit your media usage. It can be exhausting to watch too much news, read too many articles, and consume too much stuff. It’s possible that you’ll decide to check the news twice a day. 

If everyone is talking about the virus, you might opt to minimize your time on social media. Visit sites like the CDC and WHO, which provide factual information on how to keep healthy.

Keep to a schedule

Even if you’re alone at home, try to stick to a routine as much as you can. While loneliness can feel endless, attempting to make these days as “normal” as possible will aid you in getting through them.

Start each of your days by making a list of a few things you want to do, keep a daily diary of how you are feeling and what you’re doing, and keep a symptom log if you’re dealing with illness. All of these tracking systems will give you the impression that you are taking control of the situation.

Other Useful Tips to Follow in Times of Isolation

• Concentrate on the advantages of isolation rather than the disadvantages. Short-term solitude is often valued as a time when one may work, think, or rest without being disturbed. It may be desired for the sake of privacy. Make the most of the extra time by making positive adjustments or pursuing tasks you’ve been putting off.
• Find methods to unwind and keep connected to your social circles. Maintaining pre-pandemic routines to the extent possible will help but leave room for alterations.
• Self-care is important. Constantly receiving news updates can add to your stress level. Take mental and physical pauses and plan how you wish to absorb essential information.
• Don’t categorize your emotions as positive or negative. Feelings can represent how you interact with your surroundings and indicate what activities you should do to feel at ease.
• Be aware of how loneliness might present itself in physical sensations such as an increased heart rate or tummy ache. Recognizing and allowing worrisome sensations to pass may aid in their neutralization.
• Consider acquiring a pet if you wish to have more company at home. Many people find them to be reassuring. Having a dog that has to be walked provides another reason to get out and stay active. If you are unable to keep your own dog, you can volunteer to care for or walk one for others through organizations.

Despite the fact that social connections are important for physical and mental health, resilience, and getting through difficult situations, many of us believe we have no one to turn to in times of need. However, there are other ways to make new acquaintances and expand your support network. If you know someone who is suffering from loneliness or isolation, take the initiative and reach out to them.

Let us help you stand tall in your tough times; our experts are here to listen to you. We got you covered.