It's also important to remember that if you try some of these tips and still feel lonely, you haven't failed! Sometimes things will work at a certain time, and sometimes they won't. You can always come back to these tips whenever you need and try again!
Talking about feeling lonely is never easy. But there's probably a few people in your life that know that you could talk too!
Opening up to the people around you isn't a bad thing and takes a lot of courage. It can really help you feel like you have some deeper connections with people and feel like there's always someone around if you're lonely.
If you're struggling to find the motivation to reach out to your friends, your family can be a good source of support too.
Coming up with just one supportive friend or family member who you could imagine reaching out to can be really reassuring and good for your mental health.
If there isn't anyone that springs to mind in your life that you could be open with, there is support out there in the form of peer support.
Charities like Mind's Infoline or Local Mind can also help you find extra support in your area.
Experiencing the world around you can help you feel less lonely.
Starting something new like a new DIY project, picking back up that old hobby or even just getting out there to see something new are great ways to keep busy and keep those lonely feelings at bay.
A hobby can provide a welcome distraction, improve your concentration, and even connect you with new people. So take time to invest in yourself and your interests and keep your mind occupied in the process.
With social media, it's so easy to see other people and compare ourselves to them.
We often get the impression from other people's social media that they're happier than us, have more friends than us, have better hobbies, earn more and so much more. But remember that social media is a curated view into someone's life and it only usually shows us the good bits.
Try to think more actively when you're on social media, when you're scrolling think about:
If social media isn't making you feel great, think about unfollowing or muting certain accounts. You could also find a social media break empowering and that it helps with your feelings of loneliness.
Volunteering can really help you to meet other people, be part of a group, feel good about yourself and create some new experiences and memories.
All of these things can help you feel less lonely and also bring you some satisfaction for getting involved in a community.
We tend to fling the word "self care" around all the time now. But if you're feeling lonely, looking after yourself can really help.
It's always a good idea to make sure you're eating well, getting exercise and getting enough sleep. Making sure you look after yourself will make you feel better in the long run.
If you're feeling lonely, try getting out for a walk, doing an exercise class or get out to meet someone if possible.