An individual may face multiple emotional barriers in life, one of which includes feeling lonely. Loneliness can be defined as “discomfort or uneasiness from being or perceiving oneself to be alone.” It can impact one’s physical and mental health. So, how does one deal with it? Some experts recommend various steps to help one cope with loneliness. These could help individuals connect with others and heal. Here are a few ways to overcome feelings of loneliness:

1. Praying
People choose different avenues for coping with loneliness, and prayer is one such mechanism that could help. Praying during times of solitude can help one find comfort and solace. Confiding in an entity much larger and more powerful than oneself can give an individual much-needed emotional support. The process of prayer, which can include meditation, can help one feel more at peace with themselves, as an individual reassures themselves that there might be a higher entity that can understand their needs. Ultimately, it could be one of the factors that helps one filter out lonely thoughts. One could pray in various ways—by themselves or by listening to those who preach through mediums, including television, the Internet, or a dedicated place for prayer.

2. Practicing self-kindness
Many tend to blame themselves and hold themselves responsible for feeling lonely. In difficult moments, one of the key aspects to focus on is self-kindness. Taking care of oneself and looking for ways to take a break can help. Something as simple as a walk outdoors or a day at the spa can help alleviate loneliness.

3. Listening to a podcast
Podcasts can help us meet some of our most fundamental psychological requirements, such as the need for social connection, according to a study by Stephanie J. Tobin, a senior lecturer in psychology at the University of Queensland. Listening to a recognizable human voice can stimulate various parts that are usually inactive.

4. Calling a family member or friend
Talking to a loved one helps. One should let friends and family know they are struggling with loneliness. If one has suffered the loss of a relationship, lost a job, moved countries or cities, or is feeling generally lost in life, let them know how they can help one feel less lonely.

5. Listening to music
Listening to music is one of the easiest ways to tackle loneliness and elevate one’s mood. One can put on music and play favorite songs that bring joy and lighten the mood. Studies show that music has many benefits, including reducing anxiety and pain, which can often trigger bad moods.

6. Volunteering
Volunteering allows one to be around other people and meet new people. Volunteering may involve answering calls, building a house, or serving food to others. Ultimately, volunteering to help people is rewarding and could help individuals feel better about themselves and less lonely.

7. Joining an online community
One of the more modern ways of addressing loneliness is by joining an online community. It could be anything that interests the individual, such as joining a cooking, sports, or music group. Being active in these groups can help one feel more connected with others, even without face-to-face interactions. It’s an excellent way to make friends and get together with like-minded people regularly. One can try out a few groups to help them choose the best one that fits their needs and alleviates feelings of loneliness.

8. Doing things that stimulate laughter
Anything that tickles one’s funny bone, like reading a funny book, watching clips of a favorite comedian, laughter therapy, or watching a comedy movie, can help reduce feelings of loneliness. Laughter makes the brain release a feel-good chemical called endorphin that helps relax the muscles and improve circulation, all of which contribute to improving one’s mood.

9. Doing yoga
Although yoga is well known for reducing stress and anxiety, it can also lessen loneliness. Through mindfulness, yoga aids in reestablishing the link between the mind, body, and present moment. It can soothe the nervous system and foster a sense of connection, enabling one to recognize emotions like loneliness.

10. Adopting a pet
Adopting a pet is a life-changing decision that should be carefully made. Adopting a fur child can help one overcome loneliness. Paying attention to the needs of pets, including taking them for walks, feeding them, and cleaning up after them, could keep one busy, gain companionship, and alleviate loneliness.

11. Nurturing plants
Tending to a garden and interacting with plans can help reduce stress. Being in a natural environment or surrounded by plants can increase positive emotions and reduce loneliness. Growing plants “fends off loneliness” because one is “interacting with something that changes.”

12. Exercising with a group
Working out with a group is a great way to improve one’s mood. Joining a fitness class could help one meet more people and form lasting connections. It could also encourage one to look forward to each class, which could benefit one’s mental health.

13. Creating a vision board
Making a vision board that includes elements that remind individuals of their goals can help them feel motivated. For example, one could make a vision board about going on a trip, building a community, learning how to cook, joining a cooking class, and spending more time with family. Using a simulation, like visualization, can boost motivation to achieve whatever goals one has and increase one’s belief in their ability to achieve them. Making vision boards is a creative outlet to help individuals struggling with mental health problems like loneliness. Art engagement, in general, can alleviate anxiety, stress, and loneliness.

14. Eating healthy
Here’s a food for thought: what one eats plays a crucial role in regulating their mood. Meal choices high in sugar, preservatives, and highly processed foods can hamper one’s physical and emotional well-being. They can make one feel lethargic and unmotivated. So eating nutritious foods rich in carbohydrates, good fats, proteins, and essential vitamins is essential. These can significantly improve mood.