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Strategies to Combat Loneliness

12/7/2017

Strategies to Combat Loneliness

If you see people constantly come and go out of your life and you feel alone and unconnected, use this opportunity to learn about different personalities. Observe people. Ask people questions. Hear their life stories about how they arrived to the present to cross your path. You will learn much before they drift out of your life.

Use the opportunity to practice your social skills. Practice how to fill an awkward silence with comments on the weather. Practice how to introduce yourself. Follow up with questions about the person you are talking to. Most people like to talk about themselves.

Alternately, if you find a person who doesn’t like to talk, practice telling a brief but entertaining story about yourself. It may make the person feel more comfortable and at ease with your presence.

Usually, the more questions you ask, the more at-ease your conversant will be. Keep to questions about some shared cultural experience like work, life with family members, education and enjoyable vacations. Or talk about neutral topics like future goals or hobbies. Avoid sensitive or very personal questions.

Be sure to smile. A smile can be very impactful. Smile even when you feel discouraged.

Stretch beyond your comfort zone and talk to people even when you would rather stay quiet and avoid people. When you feel really alone, sometimes a short 5 second conversation can lift your spirits remarkably high. At work, spend a few seconds talking to your co-workers even when you are tired and would rather sit alone.

If you want to travel and you know you can’t, find people who have traveled and hear their stories. Ask them questions about their experiences. Watch videos about those places. Look at pictures. You can travel through the lenses other people carry.


Read histories, travel logs and encyclopedia articles about areas you want to visit. If you want to visit a different country, learn about it’s economy, culture and language. There are many ways to travel without going anywhere. Let your mind do the traveling. Your knowledge will impress people you meet who are from those areas.

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