Loneliness

Fighting Loneliness

One of the best ways to fight loneliness is to go where other people are. You'll never meet anyone while you're sitting at home in front of the television. Accept invitations to dinners and parties. Go to gallery openings and charity balls. Even if you don't find your next boyfriend or girlfriend, you'll be too busy to notice and having too much fun to care.

Getting involved in your community is another way to meet new people while filling your life with worthwhile activities. Take a community education class, join the chamber of commerce, or volunteer for the arts council; whatever your interest, there's sure to be an activity to meet your needs.

Alone in a Crowd

It's possible to feel lonely even when you're surrounded by other people. It may seem like everyone has his or her own group of friends, and you're left on the outside. Take small steps to work your way into the group. Start a conversation with one person when she steps away from her friends, or ask the hostess to introduce you to some new people. If you're feeling bold, walk right up to a group talking about a topic of interest and add your opinion to the discussion.

The holidays can be difficult if you're feeling lonely. In a season of parties and family gatherings, your unattached status can seem especially glaring. If you don't want to show up at an event alone, invite a friend along for a platonic date. Plan a girls' night out or an evening with the guys, so you can enjoy some time with friends and forget about the pressure to find a significant other.

Shyness

If you're shy or you just don't know where to go to meet new people, online dating can help you make a connection. Stepping out into a new venue and getting to know someone slowly through online conversations may be the change you need to jumpstart your dating life.

Enjoy Being Alone

Sometimes you just need to come to terms with being alone. Focus on enjoying the time you have to yourself. Think of all the advantages to not being tied down in a relationship. Whether it's something mundane like no one yelling when you leave the toilet seat up, or life-changing like being able to move to a new state at a moment's notice, make sure you're taking full advantage of these perks.

Loneliness and Depression

While it's natural to feel sad when you're lonely, persistent sadness may be a sign of depression. Common symptoms of depression include:

• Feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, and guilt
• A loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy
• Change in appetite and sleeping habits
• Difficulty concentrating
• Thoughts of suicide and death

The signs of depression vary from person to person, and some symptoms, like headaches and stomachaches, may be indistinguishable from other illnesses. Therefore, it's important to seek professional help if your feelings of sadness and loneliness become overwhelming or start to interfere with your daily life. A screening test from the National Mental Health Association can help you evaluate your potential for depression. However, no diagnostic tool can replace the advice of a mental health professional.

Online Resources

• StopLoneliness.com offers articles focusing on understanding and defeating loneliness.
• Information on loneliness from the University of Cambridge directed at college students.