Building connections and decreasing lonliness in the modern age

Lonliness is something that we can all struggle with no matter our age. It is a challenging thing to deal with and oftentimes can be severely debilitating. Combating lonliness is not all about making sure your social calendar is booked and busy so that you are never by yourself for too long. It is about being ok with being alone sometimes and learning to enjoy solitude sometimes finding peace in the little things, in the quiet solo activities. Sometimes it is good for you to just sit with your own thoughts and you can get to know yourself a little better, which makes building connections that are actually meaningful easier as you will know what type os situations or people you want in your life as you know yourself. Here are some things you can do to help yourself build community and reduce isolation.

Hobbies

Hobbies can distract your mind and allow you to be engrossed in something. You can also build connections with other people who have the same hobbies as you or enjoy the same things as you. It helps bring common ground in social dynamics. It also means that if you have something to do you will be able to feel happier within yourself as it is something you enjoy. This in turn means you are focusing less on feelings of isolation and lonliness.

Social Media

The online community is a growing thing. There are even local online groups that meet up in real life to create impactful communities. Some of these are based in Coventry and the wider west midlands. Many of them are especially for women as well allowing women to feel safe coming together with other like minded women to do activities socially like padel, sip and paint etc.

Fitness and wellbeing

Going for a walk, a run, visiting your local gym or park will allow you to build connections and focus on other things other than any feelings of isolation you may be feeling. It allows you to get outside your comfort zone, try new things, new sports. Lots of parks and facebook groups have communtiy groups that are at a low cost/ free to join to trial new acitivities you might never have done before. Things like pilates are becoming popular now with studios popping up in the heart of Coventry so these things are more accessible than ever before.

Putting yourself out there

People spend too much time worrying what other individuals think of them or how they will be percieved, but you just need to build up your confidence by doing something different or out of the ordinary every so often to prove to yourself that it is ok to get out there and to meet people, talk to people. These people may well be struggling with the same things you are and if you take that step to introduce yourself you will find a solid community built on understanding and relatability.

Check out our events page on our website to see our range of wellness events coming up that you can get involved with to help you meet new people in a safe and support environment.