Things like going to parties, attending classes, and socializing in clubs are now a thing of the past. With this change, it can bring a lot of loneliness. Many students are staying at home for their studies and not able to see their college friends. Others like me, are on campus but are unable to truly experience the college lifestyle. My days consist of the mundane routine of sitting at my desk on my laptop for ten hours. It’s easy to fall into the slump of sadness and loneliness due to the lack of physical and social contact. Here are some ways to cope with this loneliness and make the best of what we have.
- Disconnect from social media
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Social media is a big culprit in making us compare and doubt ourselves. Seeing endless posts of people living a seemingly picture life can leave you feeling pretty isolated. In the days you are feeling down, try to disconnect from social media. This gives you the chance to reflect on yourself and not focus on other people’s lives. It allows you to get intune with yourself and your emotions. Also, it’s beneficial to limit your daily use of social media. For me, I’ve set a timer on all my social media apps to limit my screen time and disconnect from the online world.
- Make a serotonin playlist
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Music is truly food for the soul. Nothing is better than listening to your favorite songs and dancing along. That’s why it’s a great idea to make a playlist of songs that make you happy. Choose songs that you love and put you in a good mood and whenever the loneliness hits, blast it in your room and have a mini dance party!
- FaceTime/call your friends or family
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When you are alone, it is always a good option to reach out to your loved ones, whether it’s friends or family. Take some time to reach out to and give them a call and catch up on how life is going. You could confide in them about how you are feeling or just have a light conversation about the latest TV show you binged or a book you read. This will give you the chance to strengthen your existing relationships and connect with the people you love.
- Journaling
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Writing is a great way to express your feelings and put them out onto paper. When I’m feeling down, I like to write my feelings on a piece of paper or a notebook and express all the emotions that have been stirring up inside. I feel a big sense of relief once I express everything and no longer have to harbor them inside. It’s also helpful to create a gratitude journal and write down all the good things in your life and the stuff that makes you happy. This way when you are feeling down, you can reflect back onto all the great things in your life and the people who are there for you.
- Talk to a professional
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Sometimes just writing things down or talking to a friend is not enough. In those cases, it’s a considerable option to talk to a therapist. Even though it’s harder to see a therapist in person now, there are still options to chat online or talk on the phone. Therapists can work with you to uncover why you are feeling this way and find solutions. This is great for when you need some professional advice to help cope with your loneliness.
- Do something you love
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Doing something you love can really boost your mood. It could be watching your favorite movies, binging a new show, or just reading a good book. It can also be a hobby you enjoy doing. Writing, cooking, baking, drawing, are some options! This can also lead you into trying something new. Discovering a new hobby can get you inspired about the possibilities of your life in the future.
Online classes are hard in itself and feeling down and lonely can definitely add on additional stress. Hopefully these tips can help make it at least a little bit easier. Also always remind yourself that you are loved and that you matter.