Loneliness and How to Overcome it

Loneliness can be defined as a state of being alone or a state of mind where one feels lonely for a long period of time maybe a week or two.

People who experience loneliness often feels empty, alone, unloved and unwanted. They try to make human contact but this state of feeling alone makes it difficulty for them to form that connection with people.

Loneliness makes you feel all alone and isolated.

What are the Causes of Loneliness?

Loneliness can be caused by many factors most of which comes at a personal level. These factors include;

* Being physically isolated

* Divorce or relationship breakup

* Relocation to a new place without family or your friends.

* Depression

* Losing your job or career

* Losing a loved one

Loneliness can also be brought about by internal factors like low self-esteem. People with low self-esteem believe that they are not worthy of any attention or regard from other people, this can lead to self isolation and loneliness.

What are the Health Risks Associated with Loneliness?

Loneliness has many negative effects on physical and mental health of a person. This effects include:

* Usage of drug substance

* Alcoholism

* Alteration of brain functions

* Stroke and Cardiovascular disease

* High stress levels

* Making poor decision

* Loss of memory

* progression of Alzheimer's disease

* Antisocial behavior

Preventing and Overcoming Loneliness.

One can overcome loneliness. For an individual to overcome this loneliness, it requires much effort and determination to change.

It's a slow process hence requires persistence and taking a step at a time.

The following tips can be helpful;

• Being involved in a community service or doing an activity that you enjoy.

Spending time with other people while doing a constructive work creates some kind of bond and it gives you that self of belonging.

When you do an activity you enjoy doing, it releases your mind from the that isolation feeling and makes your body active and occupied which is a good thing. This is an effective process towards overcoming loneliness.

• Expecting the best

Shifting your mind from negative thoughts towards the positive ones also does the trick. When you have positive expectations towards something, there's a lot of positive energy that circulates around you and in you. With positive expectations comes positive outcomes and more drive to do something.

• Attending a counseling session

Visiting a counselor or a life coach helps a lot. From these counseling sessions, you're able to learn and understand more about your state and how to get through it.

There are many ways to curb loneliness, the above listed ones are but just a few.

If you know someone undergoing through loneliness, try to reach out to them and encourage them that they are not alone. Give them support and listen to them, they need somebody to talk to and someone who understands them.