If you’re feeling like an island, all alone, not to fret. We are Nutrified urge you to take care of your body, your mind and your world. So you’re not on your lonesome, We are Nutrified are here to lend a helpful and comforting hand in your time of need.
Mental Health Statistics
Down in the dumps, having the blues, or drowning in sorrow – it's common, almost too common. A 2022 report stated that 1.61 million people were in contact with mental health services, at the end of March 2022. This isn't a UK-exclusive problem, Mental health problems are one of the main causes of the overall disease burden worldwide.
Mental health troubles can manifest in multiple ways, but here are some common symptoms of poor mental health:
- Tearfulness
- Irritability
- Feeling overwhelmed
- Chronic worrying and anxiety
- Sleeping excessively or not at all
- Low mood
- Losing interest in hobbies and interests
- Avoiding social activities
- Overwhelming loneliness
- Tiredness and fatigue
- Lack of concentration
- Aggression
- Loneliness
According to the ‘Campaign to end Loneliness’ In total 45% of adults “occasionally”, “sometimes” or “often” feel lonely in England. This equates to 25 million people that experience loneliness. In 2016 to 2017, 5% of adults (aged 16 years and over) in England reported feeling lonely “often” or “always” – that’s 1 in 20 adults. Furthermore, 16% of adults reported feeling lonely “sometimes” and 24% “occasionally”.
Ways to be alone
Being alone and being lonely are two different things. When you can master being alone, you can learn to seek solitude and enjoy it. Here are some handy tips to master your alone time:
- Take a step back from social media – when you’re alone and watching others seemingly have a busy and fulfilled social life it can be too easy to become despondent which can enhance feelings of loneliness. More often than not this is all for show, but that may not change how you feel. Try to take a break from social media, in your time away practice mindfulness, learn a new skill or make meaningful connections with loved ones.
- Make time for your hobbies – Hobbies can be a solo activity particularly if you are really passionate about them. Try to remember hobbies that you love and try explore new ones. Follow what fills you with passion. Not to mention, hobbies may start out as a solo activity, but you may end up finding like-minded friends while trying something new.
- Learn to say no - Sometimes you may find yourself saying ‘yes’ in order to avoid loneliness while saying ‘yes’ leaves you feeling unfulfilled and unsatisfied. Practice saying no to events and functions that don’t interest you. But make that ‘no’ count, fill that time with something that fills your tank full of happiness and satisfaction.
- Take time to exercise – Exercise is great for the brain. It’s an enjoyable, and a great distraction for feeling alone. Find an interesting and fun way to move your body that you enjoy.
- Learn a new skill – Invest your time in you, rather than other people. When you have alone time use it productively and learn something you have always wanted to. Whether that’s a new language, sewing, woodwork and more.
- Balance alone time with social time – Learning to love your alone time doesn’t mean you never socialise. However, only choose to socialise with people that leave you feeling full of energy after being with them.
- Be alone in public- Being alone doesn’t have to just be you alone in your home, this can feel super isolating. Instead try having alone time but in public, go to the cinema, go to the library, go shopping, or book yourself a table at a restaurant. Get used to this feeling and own your independence
- Change your mindset – Alone time doesn’t have to mean lonely. Try changing your mindset, realising that you get to have alone time. This is time that many would love. Try to run through the benefits of being alone. It’s time to reset, reflect and regain peace.
- Choose a routine that works for you – It can be very easy to get into unhealthy habits when being alone. Try to shake up your routine and drop those unhealthy habits.
- Be proactive about plans – Embrace your alone time but have events you are looking forward to in the calendar albeit with others or alone.
- Don’t put off plans you would usually do with others- If there is a film you want to see, a restaurant you want to try or you need to pop to the shops try going it alone. These activities aren’t exclusively for groups.
- But what if you don’t want to be lonely
- It is important for the human brain to not only have alone time but company as well. Here are some refreshing ways to seek company when you are feeling blue.
- Join a sports team
- Try volunteering for a cause you are passionate about
- Take public transport
- Visit a coffee shop
- Start a part time job
- Shop at a local business
- Loneliness is designed to help you discover who you are and stop looking outside yourself for your worth.
References
https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/statistics/mental-health-statistics-uk-and-worldwide
https://www.campaigntoendloneliness.org/the-facts-on-loneliness/
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