10 Ways to Feel Better When You're Lonely

Do you find yourself feeling lonely more often than not? Whether being home alone on a Friday night or sitting in the lunchroom at work, you may feel like you have nobody to turn to and nobody who understands you.

Fortunately, you can do plenty of things to alleviate these feelings of loneliness and start feeling better.

These ten ways to feel better when you're lonely will help get you back on your feet and into the world around you.

Spend time with pets

Pets are great companions and can help reduce feelings of loneliness. Spend time playing with or walking your dog or cuddling with a cat.

If you don't have a pet, consider volunteering at a local animal shelter. The animals there need love too! 

A significant way that I used to get through my periods of feeling lonely was by spending lots of time on social media, so if you feel like that's something that would work for you, try limiting the amount of time you spend on it (you'll also find yourself getting bored and distracted more quickly). 

Another idea is to find someone in real life who makes you laugh and then meet up with them!

Call your friends

Being around people you care about and who care about you can help reduce feelings of loneliness. Even if you don't feel like talking, just being in the same room as someone else can make a difference.

It's okay not to be able to get out of bed: loneliness is a feeling that affects all sorts of different people, so there is no shame in not feeling well enough to leave your house. 

Comfort yourself with hot tea or cocoa: Hot drinks are soothing and comforting when feeling down. And they are something that many people enjoy doing when they are lonely. After all, sometimes, even getting out of bed can seem too difficult. 

Take time for yourself: Focusing on oneself rather than others can be refreshing. Give yourself time to decompress after a stressful day, or take a relaxing bath with candles and bubbles, for example.

Learn something new

Learning something new is a great way to feel better when feeling lonely. This can help take your mind off of your loneliness and give you a sense of accomplishment.

Try taking a class, learning a new hobby, or reading about something you're interested in. You must find things you enjoy doing and schedule time for them on your calendar. 

For example, learning how to cook a new dish is an excellent thing to do when you're feeling lonely because it makes the process fun and helps make eating healthier too!

Talk about your emotions.

It's natural to feel lonely from time to time. That doesn't mean there's anything wrong with us; it just means we're human! We all require human connection, and sometimes we do not have as much contact with others as we would like.

Get some sunlight

Sunlight has been shown to have numerous benefits for our mental and physical health. A little sun exposure can help improve your mood and boost your energy levels and overall well-being. 

It's not just because of the vitamin D either; sunlight triggers the release of serotonin in the brain, which boosts feelings of happiness. So go ahead and turn off your screens, step outside, and soak up some sunshine!

Treat yourself to something you want

We all know that feeling when we want anything to make us feel better. Maybe it's a new pair of shoes, a pint of your favorite ice cream, or a fancy coffee drink. Whatever it is, buying yourself something nice can help lift your spirits and give you a much-needed pick-me-up.

Hang out where people are having fun

Being around people who are enjoying themselves can be contagious. Their good mood might rub off on you, and before you know it, you're having a good time too.

Even if you don't feel like socializing at first, pushing yourself to be around others can help alleviate loneliness. So next time you're feeling lonely, try one of these activities: 

1. Go to a bar or club 

2. Attend a party with friends 

3. Hang out with your favorite bartender or waitress 

4. Join a book club or other reading group.

Drink coffee or tea

If you're feeling lonely, there's nothing like a hot cup of coffee or tea to comfort you. Not only will the warmth make you feel better, but the caffeine will give you a boost of energy.

Plus, sitting down and enjoying your drink can be a nice break from your day. Try this recipe for my favorite iced latte.

Help someone else out.

One way to feel better when lonely is to help someone else out. Doing something nice for someone else can take the focus off of your loneliness and make you feel good about yourself.

Plus, it's a great way to meet new people and make friends.

Exercise

Getting some exercise is a great way to combat loneliness. Not only does it release endorphins, but it also gives you something to do and can help take your mind off of your loneliness.

Another important thing I've found is connecting with others feeling the same way. 

Whether through an online forum or a phone call to someone who understands what you're going through, the support from others has been tremendous for me.

I highly recommend finding a therapist specializing in treating depression if this seems like something that will be too difficult for you to tackle on your own.

Conclusion (10 Ways to Feel Better When You're Lonely)

Whether being home alone on a Friday night or sitting in the lunchroom at work, loneliness can make you feel lonely. You can do many things to alleviate these feelings and start feeling better.

It's natural to feel lonely sometimes, but it doesn't mean there's anything wrong with you! A few minutes of sunlight can improve your mood and make you feel more positive! These ten ideas will help get you back on your feet and into the world around you.

If you're feeling lonely, there's nothing like a hot cup of coffee or tea to make you feel better. Plus, getting some exercise is a great way to combat loneliness.

Find a therapist specializing in treating depression if this seems too difficult for you to tackle on your own.