Loneliness can become a vicious cycle, according to Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health’s Jeremy Nobel. The lonelier someone feels, the more the world may seem threatening, causing them to retreat even further from others.
But there are ways to stave off loneliness, according to Nobel, instructor in the Department of Health Policy and Management. He and other experts offered tips on how to do so in an April 30 Everyday Health article.
Given that loneliness has been linked with a host of serious health issues—it’s even been equated to smoking 15 cigarettes a day—it’s important to break the loneliness cycle, the article noted. One way to do that, according to Nobel, is to try to change the way you think about it. Being lonely, he said, doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with you; rather, it’s a biological signal—which means there’s nothing to be ashamed about. “Loneliness is a sign that we need human connection, just like thirst is a signal of dehydration,” he said.
Nobel also recommended trying to identify which kind of loneliness you’re feeling—whether it’s psychological (longing for more authentic connections with a friend or partner), societal (feeling like you don’t fit in), or existential (longing for purpose in life), or some combination. Figuring out which of these you’re feeling can help you take targeted steps to address the problem.
Other tips noted in the article included:
- Challenge negative thought patterns about socializing, such as fears of being rejected.
- Get involved with an activity or hobby, which will help connect you to others with similar interests.
- Spend time with animals. They can help people feel less lonely and can help build relationships with others, for example at the dog park.
- Spend time in nature, which “connects people to the world and makes them feel like they’re part of a bigger story,” said Nobel.
- Find volunteering opportunities—they can help build community, social connection, and relationships.
- Increase “micro-interactions”—brief exchanges with neighbors, grocery store cashiers, or coffee baristas.
- If loneliness is overwhelming, reach out to a mental health professional.
Read the Everyday Health article:
How to Cope With Loneliness: 9 Tips
