Skip to main content Skip to bottom nav
  1. Forum
  2. Community Projects & Events
  3. Mindfulness for the Lonely

Mindfulness for the Lonely

User Profile: comfortableNight4463
comfortableNight4463 August 16th, 2022

"Mindfulness is one tool that can help us cut through the isolating thoughts that plague us. Mindfulness calms our nervous system and gives us room to see more options than we normally see.

The Wisdom of Age

One interesting element of Dr. Barreto's study is that older generations are faring much better. They don’t seem to be feeling the loneliness that the younger group is experiencing, which begs the question: Is there something they could teach us? Certainly. Older folks aren’t on their phones as much; they aren’t on social media like their children and grandchildren. Technology is wonderful and none of us want to do without it, but it often distracts us from making the effort to be present with people.

Loneliness and Romantic Relationships

Here are some examples of major contributors to loneliness in relationships today:

1. We tend to have unrealistic expectations for relationships these days.

We believe our partner needs to fill so many roles that they could scarcely have time to have a job. We have objectified dating, and there is little room or time to really learn something deeper about our date.

2. We are lacking the gentle art of relationships.

Learning about our partner's or prospective partner's little obsession with a poet and researching a poem to share. These little behaviors create connection and eliminate loneliness.

3. We have a perfectionistic perspective.

None of us is perfect, and we know it. Why would we want someone who is “perfect"? Perfectionism causes isolation.

Mindfulness and Loneliness

Next time you feel a surge of loneliness, pause and notice how it feels. Recognize it will pass. Resist the need to judge the feeling and instead be curious or even compassionate. Maybe it’s been a while since you felt a real connection, and your body is simply telling you that is what it needs.

Loneliness is an epidemic, but we don’t have to be its victim. Mindfulness can help inoculate us from the negative consequences of loneliness. Give yourself a little mindful hug and then go give a hug to someone you care about."

Read the complete article available at Psychology Today!

Reflection:

What do you do when you're feeling lonely?

*I usually try to contact someone. Either a friend, or anyone from my family.*

#Loneliness #Mindfulness #Relationships

4
User Profile: SirenOfSerenity
SirenOfSerenity August 21st, 2022

Always lovely to see a post from you @comfortableNight4463 🌷


What do you do when you're feeling lonely?

- When I'm feeling lonely, this is the time I try to get the most meditation done because I know I'll be uninterrupted, which helps me with Journaling epiphanies after meditation

1 reply
User Profile: comfortableNight4463
comfortableNight4463 OP August 21st, 2022

@SirenOfSerenity These are great! I love journaling as well, it helps me put my emotions into words and understand them better. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

load more
User Profile: innateJoy9602
innateJoy9602 August 21st, 2022

@comfortableNight4463

I love the point of “perfectionism causes isolation”

This really gets you thinking!

When I am lonely, I reach out to my friends. <3

Great post, thanks for sharing<3 🌿🌺

1 reply
User Profile: comfortableNight4463
comfortableNight4463 OP August 21st, 2022

@innateJoy9602 That's great! Having a good support group that you can rely on really helps with loneliness. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

load more
*Support Forum Disclaimer
Community updates
My communities
Community guidelines
Report an issue
Talk to an expert therapist
Sharing your depressive thoughts and feelings may be scary and overwhelming, so...
Talk to Johanna Now