One way to combat loneliness? Strengthen the relationships you already have

a Loneliness is on the rise in the US It is having a negative impact on people's physical and mental health. Mental health problems associated with loneliness include higher rates of anxiety, depression, suicide, anger, and violence. Loneliness can also affect your physical health, leading to an increased risk of heart disease. strokehigh blood pressure, infectious diseases, diabetes, dementiaand early death.

One effective way to deal with loneliness is to strengthen existing relationships and reconnect with friends and family who have been estranged.

What is loneliness?

Loneliness is the feeling of not being connected to others or not belonging. Lonely people feel like they have no one to confide in or do things with. You can feel lonely even when you are surrounded by people.

There are many factors that can cause feelings of loneliness. Your friends and family may not live nearby. Participation in volunteering and religious organizations is declining. Thanks to online shopping, we rarely leave the house and have fewer opportunities to meet new people and see friends and acquaintances. Social media can sometimes make people compare their lives to others, causing feelings of being lacking or missing out.

For some people, feelings of loneliness can be caused by having a chronic illness, losing a spouse, having a low income, or recently moving to a new home or job. The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has been a major factor in accelerating the loneliness epidemic.

Research shows that about one-third of Americans report feeling lonely. If you're one of them, strengthening the relationships you already have can help. deal with loneliness.

Combat loneliness by nurturing existing relationships

You may think the best way to deal with loneliness is to: make new friends — and it certainly helps. But also consider the relationships you already have. If you can tap into a wealth of shared memories and experiences, you can get a head start.

Relationships require effort. If you don't nurture it, it may wither. A powerful first step to overcoming loneliness is to think about how to improve the existing relationships in your life.

Tips for building deeper connections with family and friends

Build deeper connections with your family and friends by showing them that you care about them. Here are some easy ways to do this.

• Set up a time to meet regularly.
• Tell them how much they mean to you. Don't assume they already know that.
• Try to listen as much as you speak.
• Minimize distractions when you're together, such as checking your phone frequently.
• Ask questions about their lives and activities.

Reuniting with loved ones who have been separated

Another way to deal with loneliness is to reach out to friends you've lost touch with.

If you don't know your phone number, you can usually find it with an online search. They will likely be happy to reunite with you. Reminiscing about good times and fond memories will lift your spirits.

Advice for maintaining relationships across time and distance

Physical distance doesn't have to be a barrier. If we can't meet in person, we'll reach out to you in other ways and schedule a time to connect if needed. for example:

• Schedule regular weekly or monthly times when you can connect by phone or video call.
• Send letters to each other every month.
• Send a good morning text every day or a good night text every night.
• Create a cooking club where you and your friends cook the same dishes and share tips and recipes.
• We read the same books, watch the same movies, and discuss it on the phone.

Cultivating relationships takes effort, but it can be one of the easiest and most rewarding ways to combat loneliness.