Loneliness is, no doubt, an unpleasant experience, and is thought to contribute to the onset of mental and physical health issues. Unfortunately, it becomes a reality for many older people; but it certainly doesn’t have to be this way.
Luckily, there are measures that we can take, both as a lonely individual and as a society, to combat feelings of loneliness.
Gather your friends for a cup of tea
Sometimes, it’s the simple pleasures in life that can have the most profound impact on our mental wellbeing. Thanks to its healing properties, tea is widely appreciated for bringing people together and offering comfort. Simply gathering your friends for a cup of tea and a chat can give you the positivity boost you need. If it’s a success, you could suggest making a weekly occasion of it; not only will this reduce feelings of loneliness for you, but it might also make a much-needed positive impact to the lives of your friends, too.
Introduce yourself to technology
Baby boomers might feel a little intimidated by the prospect of modern technology - and it’s no wonder, considering the speed that it develops. However, technology has provided us with a whole new realm of possibilities; one of these being the ability to easily communicate with family members who live far away. If you’re missing a friend that you don’t see often, try asking someone to introduce you to video chat and e-mailing if you aren’t already familiar.
Get involved in the community
One of the best ways you can avoid loneliness is by increasing your connections with the wider community. This not only presents the opportunity for you to make new friends; it also encourages you to try new activities, introducing a variety of potential hobbies. Try conducting a little research to see what’s available near you; for example, you could join a singing or walking group, or perhaps a book club.
Open up to someone you trust
If you’re suffering from loneliness, opening up to someone about your issues can really help to take the weight off your shoulders. It’s surprising how damaging it can be to keep negative feelings to yourself, so it’s important to take the time to speak to someone. It’s not always easy to vocalise our issues, but you’ll likely receive some valuable help and advice by doing so.
It’s really important to address loneliness if it’s something you’re currently experiencing. At CHD Living, our new campaign, Adopt a Grandparent, has been launched to combat loneliness - which can become particularly prevalent during the colder months. In the campaign, we’ll be pairing young people with an elderly companion at CHD Living, highlighting the importance of intergenerational relationships and bringing a sense of comfort to those who may not have grandparents/grandchildren of their own.
If you’d like to get involved, please follow this link to the sign up form.