Loneliness and breaking the Stigma. Mental Health Week
Loneliness has been an important factor contributing to higher levels of distress, resulting from people’s sense of isolation and reduced ability to connect with others. We want to help raise awareness of the impact of loneliness on mental wellbeing and, based on research, list some practical ways in which to help combat it.
1. Make New Connections
If you're feeling lonely because of a lack of satisfying social contact in your life, you could try to meet more, or different people. This could mean joining a sports team or club; releasing endorphins and playing a game with people who have the same love for a sport as you do, might help prevent your mind from spiralling into dark thoughts.
2. Talking Therapies
Therapy can provide a space for you to discuss the emotional problems that make it hard for you to form satisfying relationships. They allow you to explore Talking therapies allow you to explore and understand your feelings of loneliness and can help you develop positive ways of dealing with them.
3. Take Your Time
If you've felt lonely for a long time, it can be terrifying to think about trying to meet new people, but you don't need to rush into anything. Do it in your own time, at your own pace and you’ll start to realise how much or little works for you. It’s the little steps that count!
4. Comparing Yourself to Others?
We all do it, but it can help to just be aware that things are not always as they seem from the outside and especially on social media.
Don’t forget that other people share what they want to share about their lives, which can understandably make you feel even more lonely, FOMO (fear of missing out) is a common one! It's important to remind yourself that you don't know how other people feel or what they are going through. This is a reminder in itself to focus on you and take those small steps to becoming more open with those around you.
Of course just because it's Mental Health Week, doesn't mean you or someone you know stops feeling lonely outside of this time, so it's important we keep talking and raising awareness around the topic.
We've linked a few video clips below from various charities, the NHS and stories of those who've been previously been effected by loneliness, how they've overcome it and their biggest fears which we hope you find useful in some way.
Mind The Mental Health Charity
#breakthestigma #youarenotalone