GOLDEN YEARS
Feeling Lonely If you’re feeling lonely, remember you’re not alone. Feeling lonely doesn’t necessarily mean you have no one nearby. You can be surrounded by friends and family but still feel lonely. How to deal with loneliness Everyone can feel lonely, and you don’t necessarily need a reason to feel this way. Sometimes it might even just pass. But maybe there is a reason, or maybe it’s just not passing this time. However, it features in your life, and however it makes you feel, there are things you can do to feel less lonely. Knowing what can affect your mental wellbeing might help you understand the feelings you’re experiencing and help you think about the steps you can take to look after yourself. This is the best place to start. Although it’s hard, and sometimes there might not even be a reason, it’s a good idea to think about what is making
and family. Whatever might be making you feel lonely, we are here to help. What can cause loneliness? There are different reasons why you might be feeling lonely – perhaps you’ve lost a loved one, moved away from friends and family, lost the social contact and enjoyment you used to get from work, or have health problems that make it difficult for you to go out and do the things you enjoy. There also might not be any clear reason at all to explain how you’re feeling, and that’s fine too. How can I find someone to speak to? Talking to people is a great way to relive old memories and remind you of all the positive things in your life.
you lonely. It might help you try and find a way of feeling better. Although it might not feel that way, if you’re feeling lonely, remember you’re not alone. That feeling of loneliness can hit us at any time in life, often unexpectedly, even if it seems as though we’re surrounded by friends n 24 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 215 | March 2022
When you feel lonely it can be tempting to think nobody would want to hear from you. But often you’ll find people do want to help. If there are people around you who you can talk to, it can be a good idea to talk about your feelings. This might seem like a difficult conversation to have, but actually talking
is often the best way to start feeling better. Talking to someone you know could let them try and help you, while they may not necessarily have the answer it can make you feel listened to and often outside perspectives can really help. Have a chat with a volunteer Or you could take advantage of services that tackle loneliness. If you like having a chat there are several services that could match you with someone to talk to, including: • Age UK’s Telephone Friendship Service allows you to sign up for a free weekly friendship call. It can be a great way to speak to someone new. • Silverline also offers weekly calls to people aged 55 and over. This is a free service for people looking to have a chat with a friendly and supportive volunteer. • Many local age UKs offer face-to-face CONTINUED OVER THE PAGE
