Healthy Ways of Dealing With Loneliness

“It is not good that the man should be alone”, said the Lord in the garden about the human being He had created (Genesis 2:18, ESV). The creation story in Genesis is replete with God saying that the things He created were good, but for the first time, He says that something was not good. That thing was the fact that the man was alone, and he didn’t have another creature like him to help perform the task of looking after the creation. Loneliness was not good. In this article, we will look at some healthy ways of dealing with loneliness.

People are deeply relational creatures, and that is just the way God made us. It wasn’t good for the man to be alone for several reasons. First, the man couldn’t fulfill the command to be fruitful and multiply by himself; he needed a partner for that. Second, there was no other creature like him, and the fullness of what he was meant to be as the image of God could only be achieved in a relationship with another like him, in this case, a woman (Genesis 1:27).

This has major implications for our relationships. While it doesn’t mean that every person needs to be paired off for them to be happy (after all Jesus and Paul didn’t have spouses), it does mean that part of our flourishing includes being in relationships with others. That’s one reason why, when talking about how Jesus matured as a person, Luke says, “And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man” (Luke 2:52, ESV).

The issue with loneliness

We have a huge problem with loneliness in our world. Loneliness is when someone needs a social connection, but for one reason or another, they can’t meet it. It could be because they are somewhere new and don’t know anyone, or they may have difficulty getting to know people. Loneliness is what happens when a bid for human connection fails, and it can lead to all sorts of issues.

Chronic loneliness can affect a person’s physical and mental health, causing issues as diverse as increased risk of cardiovascular disease due to stress, cognitive decline, poor eating habits, reduced life expectancy, a weakened immune system, decreased confidence and self-esteem, increased risk of depression, sleep issues like insomnia, and issues such as substance abuse due to the inability to cope in healthy ways.

Healthy steps for dealing with loneliness

Dealing with loneliness effectively and in a healthy manner requires an understanding of what’s causing it. You may be great at meeting new people, but you’ve just moved to a new city, and you haven’t met anyone yet or don’t know the hangout spots that are great for meeting people. In that case, dealing with loneliness may simply be a matter of giving it some time for you to settle in and figure out where to go to meet others and connect with them.

In certain situations, overcoming loneliness can be achieved by reaching out to loved ones and seeking out connection with them. So, instead of texting or posting messages and threads on social media, sit down with someone over a cup of coffee. We are embodied beings, and there is something about being in someone’s presence and experiencing touch and sound that allows for connection in amazing and immediate ways.

Another healthy way to try and deal with loneliness is to try and find spaces to connect with like-minded people, or to explore new interests that bring you in contact with others. Join a cooking or art class, volunteer, become part of a reading group, go to a gym or start doing yoga, or sign up for a running club. These are great ways to be out and about and ways to meet like-minded people with whom you already share one point of common interest.

There is a difference between solitude and loneliness. Solitude in when you’re alone by choice, and most of us could use more of it. Sitting with yourself and enjoying time alone can be hard for many reasons, one of which is that we simply don’t know how to sit in stillness and take in the world around us or listen to our own thoughts. If you’re able to enjoy time by yourself, it can help you overcome the negative feelings that come with loneliness.

Another healthy way to deal with loneliness is by taking on creative pursuits so that you’re engaging different aspects of yourself. Having a creative outlet to express yourself can help alleviate loneliness, and if you combine that with a range of other activities, they can have a positive impact on your sense of well-being. Being outdoors and in the sun, for instance, helps to improve your mood.

Finding support through Christian counseling

Lastly, you can also approach a counselor or therapist who can help in various ways. They may be able to help you narrow down possible reasons why you feel lonely.

If there are specific issues such as mental, physical, or emotional health issues that are getting in the way of connecting with others, they can help you make changes and nurture your coping skills. Your counselor can offer you the help and support you need. To begin that process with a counselor or therapist at our location, call us today.