6 Ways to beat loneliness |
Posted: December 19, 2018 |
Loneliness is a real problem that affects many of us from time to time. For some members of the community, loneliness can be difficult to deal with, particularly for the ageing population. Similarly, those living with disability may find it difficult to socialize, as work, sporting or social opportunities may be inaccessible. Loneliness itself can have health impacts such as depression, high blood pressure and even an increased risk of dementia. With so many negative impacts, it’s important that you know how to deal with loneliness and find ways to beat it.
Find a New Hobby Finding a hobby, whether it’s a group or as an individual, can be the easiest way to beat loneliness. Finding something you can spend your time on, enjoy and work towards improving will help you focus on something rather than the detrimental thoughts that come with loneliness. For those in retirement, there’s no better time to pick up an old hobby or find a new one. Your local community will likely have a range of community groups you can get involved in. For example, Men’s Sheds has a network of communities where men can get involved in shed based activities.
Call a Hero From time to time we just need a helping hand. Whether you’re injured, living with disability or simply need a mate, sometimes you need someone to help you out through the day. Home Care Heroes provides this exact service, connecting those in need with heroes in their community. With services like Home Care Heroes, anyone can find a career, support worker and more importantly, a friend to help them out with anything from cooking and household tasks to skills training and events.
Book Clubs Reading is a great activity for all ages, however it doesn’t always lend itself to socialising. Joining a book club can help booklovers meet likeminded people and bring a social aspect to reading. Search online for groups within your community or alternatively you can have a go at organising your own book club. Don’t forget to have some drinks and snacks on hand for your guests. On the other hand, if you just want somewhere to read where there’s people around, your local library will have all the books and facilities you need.
Head to the Cinema There’s nothing quite like watching the newest blockbuster on the big screen. Of course, going to the cinema with a group of friends is fun, but going alone can be just as entertaining. Watching a movie surrounded by others who are all watching it for the first time can be a great way to spend a few hours.
Pet-Sit Caring for pets can be one of the most effective ways to beat loneliness. Dogs in particular have been proven to reduce stress, anxiety, depression and loneliness while also encouraging exercise. Not everyone can own a dog. Dogs are a big responsibility that can take up a lot of time and money. However, pet-sitting is a way for you to get some time with some furry friends without the ongoing responsibility. Becoming a pet-sitter on sites like Mad Paws can be a great way to spend time with a friendly animal while helping out pet owners in the community.
Use Social Media Carefully When it comes to dealing with loneliness, social media can be both a blessing and a curse. On one hand, social media can help you connect and stay connected to friends and family all over the world. Programs like Skype can make video calls cheap and affordable, and add a more realistic way to keep in touch. You can organise meetups and keep up with each other’s lives. On the other hand, spending to much time on social media can actually lead to isolation, leaving you feeling worse. It’s important that you don’t obsess over social media and the “perfect lives” people portray on these sites. As the old saying goes, everything in moderation.
Finding ways to beat loneliness in all stage of life is important. Loneliness can lead to a range of other conditions such as anxiety and depression. Finding communities within your community that align with your hobbies and passion is a great way to make meaningful connections that can help you fight off loneliness.
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