You can feel alone or lonely in a crowd full of people or even sitting at dinner with your family. Â You may be surrounded by people you want to connect with but you or they are emotionally unavailable.
Reach out to people you've lost touch with, even if itâs been a long time.
Practice saying âYesâ to all invitations. Â You don't know where this opportunity might lead, and you could surprise yourself.
Make eye contact with and smile at people as you pass them.
Exercise outside or join a group class or running club. Â Exercise releases hormones that improve your state of mind and is also a great way to meet people.
Be willing to share information about yourself and ask questions about others. Â Remember, forming relationships and strong connections takes time.
Have compassion for yourself and validate what you're feeling. Â Talk to yourself like you would a friend. Â You can remind yourself that itâs ok to be alone and that how you feel is temporary. Â Even ask yourself what you might need to feel better.
Reach out to one person by phone or schedule a time to meet in person. Â Notice how you feel before and after you connect. Â Write it down in your journal.
Perform one random act of kindness. Â The act can be big or small, and it can be for someone you know or a stranger. Â The person doesn't even have to be aware of the act. Â For example, you can run an errand for a friend, or you can put money in a parking meter for someone you don't know. Â Write down your act and how it made you feel.
Working on connecting with others and decreasing feelings of loneliness can improve your mood and possibly your overall health.
