Tips to manage loneliness and how to lift someone out of loneliness

Do’s and don’ts / tips to manage loneliness and how to lift someone out of loneliness:

Taking the steps to manage loneliness can be hard, we have put together some tips on how to cope with feelings of loneliness, as well as how to help others who may be struggling:

1. Keep in touch with those around you: Talk to friends and family. A friendly chat can make a big difference, whether someone is around the corner or further away.

2. Join a group: Find a group with a shared interest. Being part of an offline or online group or club is a great way to make connections and meet people.?

3. Do things you enjoy: Spending time outdoors in green space, doing exercise and listening to podcasts and radio shows are just some of the ways to boost your mood and occupy your mind.

4. Share your feelings – but do not compare: Being able to talk about how you feel with others can help with loneliness and hearing a familiar voice or seeing a friendly face makes us feel less isolated.?

5. Help someone else feel connected - Reach out to others – Think about people you know who might be feeling lonely and try to connect with them. Try to keep in touch with those around you too. If you pass neighbours or acquaintances on the street, take the time to smile, wave and chat.?

6. Try a befriender service:?Various charities offer telephone befriender servicers, which put volunteer befrienders in touch with people feeling lonely. See some options here.

7. Try to do some physical activity: Exercise can be helpful for your mental wellbeing, and some people find it helps improve their self-esteem, especially if you join exercise groups where you can meet others who enjoy similar activities.

8. Take it slow: If you've felt lonely for a long time, even if you already know lots of people, it can be terrifying to think about trying to meet new people or opening up to people for the first time. But you don't need to rush into anything. For example, you could try doing an online activity where other people attend but you're not expected to interact with them, such as a drawing lesson.

Further resources –?

0808 802 0925 - gingerbread.org.uk - Advice and practical support for single parent families.

studentminds.org.uk - Mental health charity that supports students.

webofloneliness.com - Online community and website which provides information and tips on loneliness. Also allows users to share artwork and poetry.

0800 58 58 58 - thecalmzone.net - Provides listening services, information and support for anyone who needs to talk, including a web chat.