How to Cope with Loneliness (7 Step Guide for your Golden Years) Rachel Devine
Feeling isolated and depressed is common when you lose a partner, retire from work, are single for a long time, or just getting older. As one advances into their golden years, it’s important to have the best quality of life possible. Loneliness not only dampens the mood but also takes a toll on physical health. Life changes sometimes put us in a position where we do find ourselves alone.
If we learned anything from that brilliant comedy series, The Golden Girls, is that life can be rewarding and meaningful as we continue to age. The four lovely ladies from that show taught us that we can live our lives with much purpose, way into our golden years and beyond.
Here are some expert-recommended techniques to combat loneliness and reclaim joy.
Arrange regular social engagements
Make it a priority to regularly leave the house and socialize. Try to get out at least three times a week. Attend community center events, volunteer at a local charity, join a club, a meetup group, a prayer group, or take a class to forge bonds with peers. These activies can be a lot of fun. Staying active combats isolation.
2. Check in with family and friends
Don't wait for others to call you; take the initiative to call or visit loved ones yourself. Let family and friends know you appreciate their company. Spend time with family and friends whenever you can. Even if it’s just a coffee date with a good friend or perhaps babysitting for a grandchild. It's so important to keep in touch with people you love.
3. Adopt a pet
Animal companions provide unconditional love and physical comfort. Having a pet to care for gives you purpose and alleviates loneliness. Taking daily walks with a dog also encourages social interactions and exercise. Perhaps you prefer a cat that can cuddle up with you at night. It makes all the difference in the world to have a pet to help you feel less lonely.
4. Consider Living Arrangements
If the loneliness is bad, you might want to consider getting a roommate or moving in with family or relocating to a retirement community. These remedies can immediately provide increased companionship. Weigh your options if isolation becomes extreme. If living in a retirement community will help you socialize more, it may be worth at least looking into it. Many retirement communities have daily activities, and it is a way to meet new friends.
5. Stay busy
Keep a schedule filled with hobbies like crafting, cooking, reading, gardening, crossword puzzles, or exercise. Join a club or class that hosts your favorite hobby. You might consider volunteer work, like reading to children at storytime, volunteering to help your local politician, or visiting people in nursing homes. Immersing yourself in enjoyable activities boosts your mood and confidence. Helping others gives one a sense of purpose. One can find a purpose for their life at any age.
6. Focus on the Present
Dwelling on the past or future fuels sadness. When we are lamenting over the past or stressing over the future, we have lost touch with reality. Make an effort to stay grounded in the here and now through deep breathing, meditation, or calming yoga. Taking walks in nature can also put you right into the moment, which is really all we have. See if you can enlist a friend to walk with you a few times a week. Remember, this moment is it; the past is gone, and the future does not exist yet. Be gentle with yourself. You might want to practice mindful techniques that help you stay in the moment. There are a lot of different meditations online, too. Finding happiness in the moment is rewarding.
7. Count your blessings
Studies show that being grateful increases moods in a positive way and even has health benefits. Counting your blessings will help you feel appreciative for all that you have, rather than dwelling on what you don't have in your life.
Louise Hay says, "Every morning I write down 10 things that I love, and every evening I write down 10 things I am grateful for." When you look around, you will see you have more to be grateful for than to lament over.
Reaching out to your support system for company, partaking in social activities, adopting healthy daily rituals, staying grounded in the moment, and staying in gratitude can keep loneliness and despair at bay. You can make the effort to fill the void with these suggestions. Small positive steps will build momentum for bigger positive steps.
Rachel Devine is the author of, The Third Road & Lessons from the Needle in a Haystack.
Devine Intervention - Inner Healing Center