Have you ever experienced a time where you felt alone? Not the rewarding alone time where you decompress and reset, but the kind that makes you feel sad, and empty. The feeling of loneliness is something that comes from within. Sometimes it is hard to pinpoint. It can even be hard to describe what you are unhappy about.
We all have moments of feeling alone. What can cause concern is when those feelings are happening frequently. Sometimes those feelings make us think truly negative things about ourselves such as being unliked and unloved. These thoughts can greatly impact your mental and physical health.
Some factors that are more likely to trigger loneliness:
- Heredity – These thoughts and feelings could be common among your family and passed down generations
- Circumstances – It is possible that situations with finances, living environment, or trauma could impact your feelings
- Thoughts – Maybe an event happened which has caused your thoughts to have spiraled leaving you sad and isolated
- Attitudes – When we are pessimistic, and always being a “Negative Nancy”, we start to focus on the negative around us
Although it may seem like the world is working against you, there are things you can do to help get out of this mental state. Try challenging your negative thoughts. When lonely or upset we often view things in a more negative lens. Practice self-compassion. Give yourself some grace. We are not perfect. So don’t beat yourself up if things are not always as expected. Be kind to yourself. As you move forward, be mindful of your thoughts and actions.
If you are overwhelmed by feeling alone, it is okay to ask for help. You can reach out to social supports such as family or friends. There are healthcare professionals such as your primary care doctor or a therapist. If you are in distress and want someone to talk to, you can always call the national suicide prevention lifeline at 800-273-8255.