Overcoming Loneliness
Everyone has felt lonely at one time or another, yet for some people, loneliness can lead to depression and even premature death. There are steps you can take, however, to overcome loneliness, regardless of your age and health.
Older adults often feel lonely because they are limited in where they can go and what they can do due to sickness or disability. The feeling of isolation can be exacerbated by a lack of transportation, a loss of mobility and even untreated hearing loss. Loneliness can increase the risk of early death by 30 percent, a rate comparable to obesity, alcohol abuse and smoking 15 cigarettes a day.
Doing something creative and nurturing helps both caregivers and people struggling with serious chronic illness get outside themselves and feel more connected. Activities like writing, music, visual arts, gardening, textile arts like knitting, crocheting and needlework, and even culinary arts are great outlets and can encourage new interactions and friendships.
Community centers, senior centers, churches and local organizations may offer many of these activities. How about organizing a monthly potluck supper? A weekly game of checkers, chess or cards? Finding local groups that have active participants may be as simple as venturing down the street to the park. Have a special interest, like photography or scrapbooking? There are meet-ups that can be found online, too, where like-minded individuals like you can collaborate.
Accepting loneliness is also an important step towards happiness. Rather than retreating into mindless activities like watching TV or playing video games, reaching out to your support group, if you have one, will help you feel more connected and will help you feel emotionally stronger and less alone. Finally, offer yourself compassion, and realize everyone feels lonely from time to time. Doing this will help to ease your pain, open you up to experiencing a sense of feeling connected, and help you to take the necessary steps to reach out to others.
