The COVID-19 lockdowns have exacerbated the sense of loneliness that many youngsters feel. According to a recent study, youngsters in South Africa have reported feelings of loneliness at unprecedented levels in recent months.
If you fall into that category, here are a few things that may cheer you up or even fix the underlying issues that make you feel lonely.
- Experience the world outside of your phone
Your phone may give you a sense of happiness, but remember that it is only temporary. Commit to being away from your phone for a few hours every day and exploring the world outside.
Distract yourself with a hike, a walk around a park, other green spaces, or even a beach. You can even take in the beauty of art and lose yourself at a concert or a museum. You may even end up meeting like-minded people there.
- Find your passion
This is easier said than done, but once you find your passion, you may never feel alone while indulging in it. Pick up a hobby or two that you enjoy, and see where it leads. Taking up a team sport at a local club could end up being how you found your passion and made a few companions along the way.
- Keeping your door open so people can swing by
If you are in a hostel, one of the things you can do to ensure a vibrant social life is to leave your door open so that people can say hi and hang out. You can even invite your friends to hang out or study.
- Helping others
When you are engaged in helping others, you will find that your loneliness disappears. Try to join a volunteering program or outreach efforts near your school. There, you will find other self-motivated youngsters who might infect you with a renewed vigor for life.
- Take on leadership roles
Leadership roles are a great way to combat loneliness as a student and network with people who have similar interests. As you get into the excitement of being responsible for others and making plans to do something meaningful, you’ll find the feelings of loneliness melting away.
- Make a schedule and stick to it
With social distancing and lockdowns, you may find it hard to do some of the things listed above. Consequently, you may have to resort to other means to distract yourself, such as making a strict schedule and sticking to it. Years down the line, you will be thankful.
If the lockdown has taught us anything, it is how to use every social media app or site ever made. So, you can also schedule regular calls to your friends or family members and combat feelings of isolation.
These steps will undoubtedly alleviate some of the physical and mental issues you may be having due to loneliness. If these aren’t effective when you are lonely, getting counsel from a professional at your school is the best option. With matters relating to health, it is always better to be safe than sorry.