How do you deal with loneliness?

Hi Alice,
I'm so sorry that you are lonely. It's hard to deal with loneliness. My husband died a year ago and I have been coping with loneliness ever since. This forum has been a big help to me. There are a lot of very nice people on here who would love to communicate with you. I have found it really good at keeping me from being too lonely. Also talking to God helps me too. I don't have too many others to talk to. I'm 79 and most everyone I knew have died and gone to Heaven even the neighbor's cat who really liked me!

Keeping busy helps also. My husband had lung cancer and the last year of his life I was really busy taking care of him. A lot of cleaning and gardening got neglected so now I'm trying to catch up. I'm also realizing that I don't have the energy at 79 that I had at 49!

What is your situation? What has caused you to be lonely? I'd be interested in hearing your story if you would like to share it.
PML

@aliceelias
We don't know your medical and mental health history, nor your age. We (I) can only pass on your experience and how we handled mental heatlth concerns.

Do you have family living close to you? Maybe reach out to them.
Do you have friends? Reach out and spend some quality time with them.
Like a hobby join a group and enjoy an activity with others liking same and going to find others with similiar interests.
Like to exercise? Join an exercise group or find a YMCA (yes first word is youth but many programs for seniors and all ages). Do you like water aerobics or think you might. I do water aerobics 5 days a week. Totally enjoy doing exercise to music. Met and made many friends there who also love doing this activity and we all enjoy each others company.
Do you like pets? Having a loving dog or cat is really going to left up your depression. Just be aware they do need to be taken care of. But I found the love I give my dog he gives me twice the love back. I was diagnosed with PTSD anxiety/panic disorder and my dog has been designated (Mayo Psychiatric Department) as a PTSD Service dog. He is so much more than that and brings a lot of joy and happines to me.

One of the this with a dog is you have to walk them for exercise. Then you meet other dog walkers who also love their dogs and again you meet others with similiar likes. Not discounted cats. I had one for 18 years and he loved to play. I would play hide and seek with him. I would put him on my bed then run and hide. He would search the house to find me and always did. Sound strange but we both loved doing it that and that is what is important. Find something you like doing with or without others.

Hi Alice,
It was nice to hear from you. I'm so sorry to hear of your husband dying. I know that is hard for a person to deal with. My husband died a year ago. All of a sudden your world is so different. Plus with you being in Australia and not able to come home right away must have been especially difficult. Do you have family and friends near now you are back in the US?

That is too bad that you have Rheumatoid. That can be so painful. I hope you have found a doctor that you like. Also just researching it on the Mayo Clinic Website might be helpful in finding some relief on it for the pain.

I would suggest that you just give all your problems up to God. That's what I do. It does help. Have faith. God answers prayers and will straighten things out for you. I know he has for me. I'll say a prayer for you also.

I want to wish you an early Happy Birthday! 70 is really quite young. I'm 79, That's getting old!
I wish you the best.
PML

I read alot as it takes me to other places.
I like mysteries as they
give me a puzzle to figure out= keeping your mind active.
Besides fiction, try reading about loneliness as it may give you some ideas for coping as it is a universal problem.
Being alone is a curse & a blessing. I think participation in ANYTHING
takes your mind away from loneliness for a bit.

I read alot as it takes me to other places.
I like mysteries as they
give me a puzzle to figure out= keeping your mind active.
Besides fiction, try reading about loneliness as it may give you some ideas for coping as it is a universal problem.
Being alone is a curse & a blessing. I think participation in ANYTHING
takes your mind away from loneliness for a bit.

I’m so sorry I turn 70 in less than weeks. No friends because I was in Australia for 20 years, after husband passed away I came back to the USA and went to work then I had my very first flare and going on 2 years now still a daily battle and depression kicked in. Yes I have family near by but I feel like I am intruding on their lives, so I sit here along

On the 27th of this month I will be 91. I find it hard to believe. My husband died four years ago. We were together for 62 years. I have 2 sons, but only a relationship with one of them. He lives very far from me. Thankfully we can communicate in real time thanks to the computer. Other than that I have no support system. I am not particularly social so have very few friends. Actually more like friendly acquaintances. I spend days on end alone with only myself to talk to. I have had therapy and decided to start it again. I am fortunate to be healthy. I am able to take care of myself, drive, cook, do laundry, etc. But this is not all of what life is and I miss the other part. Also due to my great age all my peers are gone.