Wellness Wednesday: Tips for Coping with Feelings of Loneliness from LightHouse Arabia

Halfway through Mental Health Awareness month, a&e continues its Wellness Wednesday series with the LightHouse Arabia, this week tackling the topic of loneliness.

Experts at LightHouse Arabia offer their expert tips for dealing with feelings of loneliness

Whether causation of one’s mental health struggles or a contributor towards wider negative feelings and emotions, continued feelings of loneliness can be tough to deal with and detrimental to your overall health and wellbeing.

This week, Counselling Psychologist Christine Kritzas from The LightHouse Arabia offered her tips for dealing with moments of loneliness and turning moments alone into positive moments of self-care.

Tips For Tackling Feelings Of Loneliness

Christine Kritzas is a Counselling Psychologist at The LightHouse Arabia

Remember feelings come and go

Your feelings are not permanent, they come and go like waves visiting the shore. Remind yourself that this feeling of loneliness is a visitor and that if you acknowledge its presence, it will subside. Become a gentle observer of your feelings. Instead of latching on to the feeling of loneliness, rather observe it from a distance and allow it to move through you.

Seek out the treasures in being alone

Spending time with yourself does not need to be a daunting experience. Get curious and creative about being in your own space. Being alone allows you to dictate the rhythm of your day (e.g. when to go to the gym, listen to music, read your book or take a nap).

Cultivating an attitude of gratitude through journaling

Journaling in the evenings can be a great way to reflect on daily experiences. Paying attention to the smaller moments which brought about feelings of connectedness in your day (e.g. making someone smile; having a stranger help carry your groceries; receiving a thoughtful text from a friend). Savouring in these basic pleasures can bring about feelings of gratitude.

Get connected

Make an intention to socialize at least once a week. Say ‘yes’ more often to opportunities to connect. Have something to look forward to by planning one fun-filled activity a week, such as meeting up with a friend for a coffee, going to watch a movie or a taking a long walk. If you live away from your loved ones, arrange a Skype date at least once a week.

Take up a hobby

Find creative ways to keep loneliness at bay. When you are engaged in enjoyable activities you are less inclined to feel lonely and bored. Arts and crafts exercises can be a fun way to spend time alone (e.g. buy an adult colouring-in book; learn how to crochet; create a collage or your very own vision board).

Head to lighthousearabia.com for more information on its services.