3 ways to cope with loneliness
Hi everyone,
Please add 3 ideas to help someone else cope with loneliness.
Always here
Lucy2
Hey there. I live on my own and here is how I deal with lonely moments:
- strongly consider getting a pet. It doesn't have to be something high maintenance. Cats are not very attention-seeking but the purr as it snuggles up to your leg at night makes you feel light-years better
- find a new hobby! Be this painting, jogging, a musical instrument whatever. Losing yourself in something like that really eats away the time.
- reconnect with old friends via facebook or chat up someone new on a social site such as Tinder. =)
Hi there @MissChief Thanks for contributing. I think it helps give ideas to others feeling the same way and I definitely agree about a pet. You may even pick up one or two new ideas yourself.
Always here
Lucy2
@MissChief
Thanks for the ideas! I love having my pets! They are so helpful when I am feeling alone.
Physical activities, like running/jogging, yoga helps a lot.
By coincidence, when my marriage came crashing down, I started college, and I think it helped me a lot.
Finding something to get immersed in.
Hi there @purplePear1228
Thank you for your post. It's great to hear that you have started college, brilliant and I hope your studies are going well.Just in case you didn't know, we have a Student Support Forum here at 7cups and we'd love to hear from you there too, so please do pop in and share your experiences.
Always here
Lucy2
Thanks Lucy! I am an old student, for college standards (and for most standards) at 44, but a student nevertheless! 
I may stop by.....thanks and have a great rest of the day.
@purplePear1228
Hi, I just wanna say you are very brave and you also inspire me. It's really hard to go to school at your age. Now I am in confusion of my life and hope I could be brave as you once I figure out what to do for my life. :)
Hi there @martiangirl1349
So glad you were inspired by @purplePear1228 post. It's great isn't it? I always find it amazing when something great develops out of our depths of despair. So be inspired, you never know what you can achieve until you try. Warm wishes,
Always here
Lucy2
Me too.
- Movie Night, get my favorite foods, drinks, get comfy and watch a movie thats been in my netflix queue for way too long.
- exercise, i don't do it as often as I should. Or just taking a walk.
- Talking to someone on the internet. Messaging someone on tumblr, or a forum, or even 7 cups!
Hey @DearElle Thank you very much for contributing, if all of these suggestions help just one person in our community, then it will be so worthwhile.
Always here
Lucy2
@DearElle
Hey there...
I enjoy watching movies my self during the weekends. Something i enjoy doing since i was in my 20's.And the best part is that its free because i can watch it on youtube and other sites. And i can enjoy doing that all by myself infront of the laptop.
Yes,...being a member of an active forum helps a lot for me. I have tried making friends but its really difficult. Most people who were interested in pm me will just stop replying my pms for no reason, but just by doing that its understandable. But it gets really frustrating and lonely. However just by posting about even a movie i have watched or a new one coming out, there is a thread for that, where people share their reviews, etc..Its fun, no need to try and make friends...i do get replies from my posts...at least i don't feel so alone.
The 3rd one and most rewarding is learning how to cook simple everyday dishes. I do feel embarrassed that most people my age already know how to cook and bake, but since i have the time, i'm learning. After years of being ill and not being able to work or do much of anything, i need to do something good for myself whenever i can. I really need to build back myself-esteem that is at a really low point in my life right now. And i also started getting a few plants for companionship & something to forward to in the morning...
hey guys, i have 2 more to add.
For me it's really helpful to have a small book or journal or ipad whatever is convenient for you to write down/let out any negative energy that you might be feeling at the moment or a weeks bottled up stress.(since you might have nobody to turn to)
Lets say if something bad happens at work, and things sort of went down hill for the day, when you get home nobody's there, so it helps to just write it all down. It's a good way of letting out all the negative energy.
And i also watch youtube video's once in a while that helps or whatever that is a positve or motivational like a talk or people giving advice about certain situation or problem that you are facing...
I ve read "Loneliness" by Cacioppo recently and what he suggests is "to feed others when you are hungry" so in terms of loneliness that would be attending to lonely people - it does sound counterintuitive but it works. Eg. being a listener personally helps me to combat loneliness. Then I would recommend exercise and creative work.
Hi there @SaturdaysChild
That's an excellent idea, thanks for sharing, I hope others will give it a try.
Lucy2
These are the things that helped me when I was feeling extremely lonely/isolated:
- viewing others' art. That somehow helps as you understand the artists more and feel in touch with others emotions especially when you feel like you're unable to reach someone. this includes movies and music too! anything that you can relate to and has some depth.
- avoiding the people that make you feel like an outsider/ like your emotions are not valid. No one needs a motivation to isolate more.
- physical connection! hugging someone if I can, touching plants and stroking cats/dogs, feeling the earth and just trying to realize that I belong here and I am a part of this world. I believe hugs can heal us, we are living beings that need connection with other lives! Think about mums and their newborns :)
also, another thing that I find helpful - try to recognize your patterns so you can fix it before it gets out of control.
Hi @doritos
That's really cool support and I hope others in this forum read through this and hope it helps them too
Lucy2
-posting on tumblr
-talking to someone on the Internet
-listening to music and just dance
Reading takes me away from reality. Some people may think it's deceptive but I do think it's a pretty good way to keep loneliness at bay.
Hi @Jamay, Yes I agree, reading is a perfect way to while away lonely hours, you can get lost in any good book and learn too if you wish. Thanks for that 
Lucy2
For me it is :-
1) Hobbies -- ornithology ( bird-watching ), running long distances, cycling etc.
2) Spirituality -- Am into Christian meditation, reading/sharing Bible messages and evangelism
3) Keeping myself busy -- I have observed that 'free' time is often gobbled up be negative thoughts and I have try and snip it out of my schedule.
@meaculpa
*Correction* -- 3) 'gobbled up by' instead of 'gobbled up be'
Trying to use my time wisely with anything positive that makes me happy. I know it's not much but it helps take away the boredem and emptiness. Since i'm not working yet, i better enjoy these leisurely days before it gets busy sometime soon.