it is okay
Craving Connection?
Feeling lonely is completely normal, and everyone feels lonely from time to time. To learn more, click on the boxes below.
There are many reasons we feel lonely, and sometimes there is not a reason at all! Here are some more common causes to be aware of:
- Leaving home
- Relationship changes
- Adjusting to full-time work
- Increased technology use
- Mental health challenges
- Job changes
- Adjusting to adult-life
If you’re craving connection, there are things you can do to connect with others. It’s important to make small changes and go from there. Combatting loneliness may be hard at first, but the more you do it, the better you will feel and the easier it will get!
Sometimes, no matter what we do, we can still feel lonely. If you’ve tried combatting loneliness following some of the suggestions on this webpage, but find that it’s not helping, you’re still feeling lonely, sad, or anxious most days, then it’s time to consult a trusted adult or healthcare professional.
Take the Connection Quiz
Remember:
Check on your friends…even the happy ones!
Even people who seem happy often can feel lonely. There are many things that tell us friends may be lonely, and many things we can do to help friends feel less alone. Don’t assume someone isn’t lonely, because this may make loneliness harder to cope with!
It’s important to identify and connect with those people in your life that may be experiencing loneliness. Some common signs that someone may be experiencing loneliness are:
- They seem isolated or disconnected from other people
- They feel like no one understands them
- They say they have no one to talk to or with
- They tell you they feel sad and/or lonely
- They have different energy levels, appetite, or ability to focus
What happens when someone shows no signs of loneliness, like friends that always seem happy? The only thing you can do is be a good friend and check in with your people. Even if they are not lonely, reaching out to someone you care for is good for you and them!
- Ask the person how they are feeling and if they may be lonely
- Stay in touch with the person through visits, calls, or messages
- Suggest activities to do together
- Be reliable and follow through for them
- Suggest they contact a mental health professional if their loneliness does not get better over time
Remember: the most important thing to do is simply reach out.
Building connection is important when combatting and coping with loneliness, and can benefit you and your friends when done together. Here are some things you can do with friends to build better connections that aren’t based on your phones:
- Volunteer for a cause you care about
- Join an intramural sports group
- Start a book club
- Join a game club or have a game night
- Meet up to listen to music