11 Simple Ways To Boost Your Happiness And Overcome Loneliness

Most of us have felt a little bit neglected at some point in our life, but this feeling doesn’t need to last forever. Lois Blyth, author of The Little Book of Happiness, gives us 11 tips to help you stay pro-active when overcoming loneliness… 

 

1

Take some time to focus on your feelings, to understand what is making you feel this way. Learning how to practice meditation can be immensely helpful.

 

2

Try not to reject invitations or offers of help. Those who feel lonely will often push people away. They are afraid to let others get too close.

 

3

Arrange to meet an old friend. You are much more likely to tell someone what is really going on if you spend proper time with them, have eye contact, and know they are listening to you.

 

4

Trust is the key to building relationships. When you are ready, take a risk, and tell someone what is really going on in your life. This could be a medical practitioner if you want to be certain of confidentiality.

 

5

Taking up walking, running, or any form of mildly aerobic exercise can help to beat the blues. It will help to increase the endorphins in your body, and give you a natural lift.

 

6

Could some aspects of your own behaviour be unhelpful to you? Are you adding to your own sense of isolation?

 

7

Are you making an effort to look good? Even when you are at home alone it can make a difference to how you feel about yourself. Do you need help with overeating, drinking, or other issues?

 

8

Pay attention to small things in your life that give you pleasure – birdsong, colours, a piece of music – and focus on their detail.

 

9

Don’t let yourself stay indoors all day. Go outside, be in the company of other people.

 

10

A good laugh works wonders – do you have a favourite movie that is guaranteed to make you giggle?

 

11

No man is an island. Try not to do everything alone or unsupported.

 

 

THIS COPY HAS BEEN EXTRACTED FROM THE LITTLE POCKET BOOK OF HAPPINESS, £9.99, CICO BOOKS

 

 

About the author

Based in Dorset, Lois Blyth is a writer of self-help and lifestyle books, several of which have been best-sellers. She is also the author of The Little Book of Hugs and The Secrets of Happiness.