Everyday life as it is now can lead to a number of challenges for many. There may be practical challenges in relation to work, long-distance relationships or everyday tasks for which new routines must be found. But it can also lead to challenges, such as spending a lot of time alone . Too much time with only yourself and your own thoughts can bring out a lot of bad feelings. These include feelings such as loneliness and depression . Or the feeling of being isolated and separated from the outside world and those you love.
Loneliness is by no means a feeling to be underestimated. At the same time, it is important to remember that it is part of life , and will come and go in periods. According to figures from Statistics Norway , a full 18.3% of the population live alone, a number that is constantly increasing. This means that more and more people are spending more time alone than before. This can be a possible cause of loneliness for many. Especially in the situation we are in right now.
But how will you cope with being lonely and depressed if it persists? Here we give you answers to some of the questions you may be sitting with now.
What is loneliness and depression?
Loneliness can be described as a lack of contact with other people . It is a longing to have someone in your life who you care about and who cares about you. Being lonely is not only about not meeting other people, because it is also possible to feel lonely even if you are in a room full of people. But in periods where you are alone a lot, it can simply be a matter of not meeting enough people in everyday life . It can be a feeling that many people feel especially now during the corona situation.
Perhaps you have had a home office or teaching from home for a long period already? Or not able to travel to the family abroad this summer? Or that the leisure activities you used to focus on in your everyday life are closed at the moment? The reasons can be many. And that is precisely when it is extra important to address the feelings that are raging inside.
If you often feel lonely, it can lead to depression. When a person is depressed, he or she is very down for a long time . It is this feeling that can really eat away at you and your mental health. When you don’t know how to deal with the bad feelings you carry, depression can take over your life. It can go beyond your normal function in everyday life, and on to an even stronger feeling of loneliness.
It all becomes a vicious circle where one bad feeling reinforces the other.
GET HELP WITH LONELINESS AND DEPRESSION
How to ease a lonely everyday life?
There are several ways to deal with these feelings. It is of course completely individual how you handle being lonely and depressed, but here we give you various suggestions for how you can overcome the bad feelings.
Deal with the feelings . Try to put into words how you feel right now. Try to analyze and rationalize your feelings. By doing so, you can in a way neutralize the bad feelings and understand that these are only a temporary condition. You won’t feel this way forever.
Use the technology for all it’s worth . We are lucky to have the ability to send messages, call and even have video calls. Use it as often as you can! Call your parents, a friend who lives far away or to connect with new people in your local area.
Be honest with those closest to you . Talking to someone can be the best medicine. Dare to be honest with those closest to you. Tell them how you feel and why. Some supportive words and love can be of great help.
Get enough exercise and fresh air . Although many of the leisure activities may be closed, there is nothing to stop you from being out in nature. Running, walking or spending a day in the park helps both body and mind. Exercise releases endorphins, which are the body’s happiness hormones. That’s why it’s always a good idea to get out at least once a day.
Seek therapy . Sometimes you may need help from the outside to get rid of your bad feelings. With the help of a skilled and experienced therapist, you can find out together what can help you overcome loneliness and depression.
Promise yourself better times
As a reminder to yourself, it is important to remember that the situation you are in now should not define the rest of your life. The suggestions above can help you on the way to an easier everyday life. And it is you yourself who has the opportunity to turn around the feelings you have by taking hold of them and starting the process towards processing.
One last thing you can do is make a promise to yourself that you will work towards a better everyday life for you and your life. Everyone goes through better and less good periods in life, but it is individual how these periods are experienced. It is then up to you to seek the help you need to overcome the feelings this period brings with it. Whether it’s with a family member, a friend or a therapist.
