Being alone sometimes can be a good thing. You can decompress in your room at the end of a stressful day. Perhaps you see a movie that your friends wouldn’t be interested in. Giving yourself some alone time can help you gain independence, self-sufficiency and confidence in your sense of self. However, being alone is different from loneliness.

Loneliness means that you feel disconnected from the people around you, even in a crowded room. If you’re struggling with your mental health, you may feel like you’re isolated in how you feel due to feelings of depression or anxiety. While loneliness is an experience that you may have during particularly difficult times in your life, chronic loneliness goes a bit beyond that.

Chronic loneliness means that you constantly feel alone in your negative thoughts and feelings, even when you’re surrounded by supportive people. It can lead to you isolating yourself from others in social situations, which can interfere with your ability to form and maintain meaningful relationships with others. However, you can alleviate those negative thoughts, feelings and behaviors to connect with others.

4 ways to cope with chronic loneliness

When people have a health concern of any kind, they likely ask their healthcare providers, “How do I cure it?” When it comes to chronic loneliness, there isn’t a “cure.” Loneliness is a feeling that can come and go throughout your life. However, there are ways to alleviate chronic loneliness when you’re experiencing it. With the right tips, you can push through the mental and emotional barrier that’s keeping you from connecting with others on a meaningful level.

Here are four ways to address and alleviate chronic loneliness:

1. Join a group — Combating loneliness by simply trying to talk to people is easier said than done. That’s why it’s important to find the right people to connect with. Joining a group or club gives you the opportunity to meet people you can relate to who understand your passions. You can also focus on something that brings you positive feelings. Possibilities include joining an extracurricular club at school, an online community for a niche interest, or finding a group in your community, such as a book club or chess club.

2. Seek out high-quality interactions — Similar to the above point, combating loneliness goes beyond talking to your classmates or general acquaintances. Interactions are about quality over quantity. It’s natural to feel lonely if you’re always having small talk, or you’re with a group that’s having a conversation you can’t relate to. When you’re talking to someone, whether an old friend or a new student, think about the positive feelings you’re having during the conversation and how engaged you are with what they’re saying.

3. Volunteer — Chronic loneliness can make you feel like you don’t belong anywhere, which can affect your self-esteem and motivation. Volunteering can help you find a purpose by putting your time and energy into a good cause. It can provide meaningful connections with people who have similar values. You’ll also gain a sense of accomplishment. Try to find a fundraiser that you can help run or a community center that needs volunteers for day-to-day operations.

4. Spend time in nature — Getting fresh air is good for both your physical and mental health. Nature has been linked to reduced stress, increased positive emotions and boosted creativity. It can also help to alleviate feelings of chronic loneliness because it helps you to adjust your mindset about the world. Nature enables you to think about the vastness of the world and feel a part of something bigger than yourself. It also provides social opportunities to meet new people, like joining a walking group in the park. 

Chronic loneliness may be a sign of, or lead to, mental health conditions, such as anxiety disorders or major depressive disorder. If your chronic loneliness is worsening, talk to your doctor about a potential diagnosis. You may also benefit from talking to a therapist about potential issues that are contributing to your loneliness. 

Embrace U can help improve your mental health if you’re experiencing chronic loneliness

You’re not alone. No matter where you are in your mental health journey, there are people by your side, even if your mind won’t let you see them. Whether your chronic loneliness is causing you general distress, or you’re experiencing anxiety disorder or depression symptoms, the right support can make a difference.

While talking to a psychotherapist and incorporating the right tips into your lifestyle can reduce your chronic loneliness, you may need more intensive care, and that’s OK. At Embrace U, our outpatient mental health treatment programs for adolescents aged 10 to 18 can help you work through the negative thoughts and feelings contributing to your loneliness. We’ll also help you develop coping strategies that can help you for years into the future.

Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.