'I'm surrounded by people - but I feel so lonely'

Or maybe pandemic stress has created tension in your household, leaving you lonely and frustrated despite being in a full house. You might miss fleeting, everyday social interactions or the ability to simply sit in public, speaking to no one but still benefiting from the presence of others. Prolonged loneliness can drain you emotionally, making life seem bleak and pointless. It can also lead to physical symptoms, including aches and pains, sleep problems, and a weakened immune response. When it feels impossible to escape feelings of loneliness, pandemic-related or otherwise, these 12 tips can help you navigate them and keep them from wearing you down. Casting a different light on what it means to be alone can sometimes make it easier to navigate feelings of loneliness. Loneliness happens when you become isolated and your needs for social interaction and human connection go unmet. For example:. Most people need close relationships in order to thrive.

A few people are naturally happy alone. Although for others, being solo is a challenge. Regardless of how you air about being alone, building a able relationship with yourself is a admirable investment. After all, you do consume quite a bit of time along with yourself, so you might as able-bodied learn to enjoy it. In actuality, you look forward to it. Before maybe being alone just leaves you sad and longing for company.

Being beings are instinctively social animals. It is natural for us to air alone or lonely when we are isolated from others. As a ancestral species, our brains adapted to rely on social connections as a agency to survive. However, modern life, along with all of its conveniences, has led to a sharp increase in loneliness. As a result, loneliness is arrange the rise.

Ago to Feelings and symptoms. Most ancestor feel lonely sometimes, for many altered reasons. If loneliness is affecting your life, there are things you be able to try that may help. Support is also available if you're finding it hard to cope with stress, angst or depression.