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Nov 27, 2023 · But even temporary loneliness can make you feel subpar. Physical symptoms of loneliness can include headache, body aches, flu-like symptoms, and sleep problems, according to Mayo Clinic . RELATED ...
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- You’re surrounded by stuff. If you find yourself surrounded by stuff, you may be attempting to fill the void that loneliness has created in your life. If you find that you’ve formed an unhealthy attachment to your possessions, then it could be that you’re trying to make up for a lack of personal connections by connecting with material items instead.
- A warm beverage and a hot shower sound like heaven. Getty/AnnaStills. When you’re lonely, you may want nothing more than to curl up with some hot cocoa or a hot cup of coffee after a nice hot shower.
- You’re sick all the time. If you’re experiencing loneliness, you may find that you are constantly getting sick. For example, you may be regularly getting over a cold, only to get hit right after with another illness.
- You’ve gained weight. Loneliness can sap our energy and motivation. When you’re lonely, you may think to yourself, “I should be working out right now, but I’m just going to stay glued to this couch and channel surf instead.”
Talking more openly about how loneliness affects you can really help. Hearing a familiar voice or seeing a friendly face can also make us feel less isolated. Try not to compare yourself with others. Some people only share the good things happening to them, especially on social media, so comparing yourself to others can make you feel lonelier.
- Younger people feel lonelier than older people. When you picture someone who’s lonely, the stereotype is often an older person who lives alone and hardly sees anyone.
- 41% of people think loneliness can be positive. This finding fits in with the ideas of people such as the late neuroscientist John Cacioppo, who believed that we evolved to experience loneliness because it can be useful, even though it’s so unpleasant.
- People who feel lonely have social skills that are no better or worse than average. Sometimes it’s assumed that people feel lonely because they’ve found it hard to make friends and help with improving social skills would make a difference.
- Winter is no lonelier than any other time of year. In the run-up to Christmas, you often see campaigns from charities who help the elderly featuring picture of isolated old people.
- New-situation loneliness. You’ve moved to a new city where you don’t know anyone, or you’ve started a new job, or you’ve started at a school full of unfamiliar faces.
- I’m-different loneliness. You’re in a place that’s not unfamiliar, but you feel different from other people in an important way that makes you feel isolated.
- No-sweetheart loneliness. Even if you have lots of family and friends, you feel lonely because you don’t have the intimate attachment of a romantic partner.
- No-animal loneliness. Many people have a deep need to connect with animals. If this describes you, you’re sustained by these relationships in a way that human relationships don’t replace.
Some people describe loneliness as the feeling we have when our need for social contact and relationships isn’t met. But loneliness isn’t the same as being alone. You may feel content without much contact with other people. But others may find this a lonely experience. Some people may only feel lonely at certain times.
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try talking about your feelings to a friend, family member, health professional or counsellor. You could also contact Samaritans, call: 116 123 or email: jo@samaritans.org if you need someone to talk to. consider joining a group or class that focuses on something you enjoy; you could ask to go along and just watch first if you're feeling nervous.
