Ways to Overcome Loneliness – Mental Health Awareness Week 2022
Social in the city – ways to overcome loneliness. No matter how many friends or family members you have, near or far, loneliness can be a very real feeling. Particularly when living in a large town or city centre, it can be hard to make connections with people.
Two years of actual isolation due to the pandemic has had a profound effect on most people’s mental health. According to a study conducted by the charity MIND, 55% of adults and young people are worried about seeing or being near other people. It has been a strange and stressful time for us all, but there are steps we can take to positively affect our own mental health and that of those around us.
In support of Mental Health Awareness Week 9-15th May, we give you some useful methods for combatting loneliness when living in the city.
Ways to Overcome Loneliness – Talk to someone
It’s an obvious one, but talking to someone you know and trust is a good way to overcome loneliness. It can be very easy to form a habit of keeping contact with people to a minimum, we may feel like we are a burden to others and that our thoughts and feelings are not worth their time.
By making a small step of calling, messaging or arranging to meet people we break down the walls of isolation. Simply making small talk with people in everyday life can help to form positive social habits.
We live in a time where there are many ways to reach people. Be it through forums, groups, apps or of course social media. Find someone like-minded with similar interests to break away from feelings of isolation and loneliness. A few kind words between people each day can really make a huge difference.
Ways to Overcome Loneliness – Take it easy
We all have a good sense of what can lift our spirits and what can put us in a bad mood for the day. You’d be surprised how much control we actually have over this.
The pressures of work and our personal lives can be immense, particularly after these difficult years of having either to work from home or feeling insecure over your job entirely. We all can place too much pressure on ourselves to continue at the same pace, no matter what is on our minds.
Take a little time each day to be kind to yourself, wear something you feel good in, take exercise, watch a favourite film or play a game. Everybody’s idea of happiness is different, now more than ever it is important to do what makes you happy rather than always comprising to please others.
Ways to Overcome Loneliness – Find your tribe
After being encouraged to distance from each other it can be extremely hard to break this habit. Obviously, we should be respectful of each other’s space, however, we are now more free to enjoy activities we couldn’t for a long time.
Pandemic aside, feelings of loneliness can be combated by engaging in things you love with like-minded people. This could be something at your local community centre, bar or leisure centre.
According to MayoClinic.org, socialising is not only a way to overcome loneliness, but also helps sharpen memory and cognitive skills, increases your sense of happiness and well-being, and may even help you live longer. In-person is best, but connecting via technology also works.
Socialising at TheStudios
For our residents, there are many ways to break out of your routine and shake off any loneliness you might be feeling. With our cafe, bar, cinema, gym and terrace, there’s always an opportunity to bump into your fellow residents. Strike up a conversation and make connections over a drink, a board game or come to one of our events!
Physical activity of any kind can be extremely beneficial to your mood and your mental health in general. Something as simple as a daily walk can:
- Improve Your Mood
- Reduce Stress and Anxiety
- Promote Body Confidence
- Increase Energy
- Better Sleep
- More Social Opportunities
- Improve Focus
There are some excellent outdoor spaces on your doorstep, including Wolverhampton West Park, Fowler’s Park and East Park. Why not buddy up with other residents and go for a walk, have a kick-about or organise a run?
Find out more about living at TheStudios here.
Help is at hand – useful contacts
Anyone who is concerned about their mental wellbeing or that of a loved one can get help and support from the Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust’s mental health helpline, which provides advice, support and signposting 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to people of all ages.
0800 008 6516
Wolverhampton Healthy Minds
0800 923 0222
01902 441 856
bcpft.wolverhamptonhealthyminds@nhs.net
Black Country Mental Health
Black Country Mental Health (formerly Dudley MIND) work in Walsall, Wolverhampton, Sandwell and other areas following the move for local NHS trusts to partner up within the Black Country.
Support Line: 01384 442938 Office: 01384 685060
MIND
Providing advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem.
MIND INFO LINE: 0300 123 3393
