Loneliness affects everyone, especially older adults. It is a feeling of distress that triggers when you lack the social contact you should have. Sometimes, you can have people around you, but still, you feel lonely.
In most cases, old age experiences can make people feel lonely. This includes retirement, hearing or sight loss, serious health problems, loss of a close relative, or caring responsibilities.
Other causes of feelings of loneliness include:
* Living on a low income prevents you from social gatherings
* Being too shy or suffering from social anxiety
* Living alone
The following ways will help you deal with loneliness.
1. Identify Why You Feel Lonely
You can’t deal with loneliness without identifying the reasons behind it. So these questions will probably help you determine why you feel lonely.
* Do you feel more lonely when certain people are around you?
* When do you mostly feel lonely?
* What do you feel like doing when you’re lonely?
* Are there times when this feeling leaves you?
These questions and more could help you identify why you often feel lonely.
2. Start a Journal
Journaling can better help you track your thoughts and feelings of loneliness. Start by staying in a comfortable place for about 20 minutes to write every day. Write what you are primarily thinking about or how you usually feel. You can also use a prompt that demonstrates how you feel at certain times or for a particular reason.
3. Talk to a Therapist
You may find it challenging to detect why you’re feeling lonely and what to do to make loneliness a thing of the past. For example, feelings of loneliness may suggest you’re depressed or have a neglected mental health condition. On the other hand, talking to a therapist might reveal the cause and potential solutions to your loneliness.