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Feeling Lonely?

What to do when you feel socially isolated?

By Dr. Sulaiman AlgharbiPublished about a year ago 3 min read
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Loneliness often manifests itself as a state of unease or social misery. Maybe you're feeling alone, unfeeling, and unloved. It's possible that even someone with plenty of friends might feel lonely sometimes. You may be part of a big family or be actively involved in a devoted relationship. It is possible to feel lonely even while in the company of people or when holding the hand of someone you care about. It is possible to feel lonely and alone even being in the company of others.

Why some spouses feel lonely even when they have company and what can be done about it are explored. 36% of all Americans, including 61% of all young adults and 51% of all women with small children, suffer from extreme loneliness, according to a new study done by experts at Harvard University. Recent statistics show that the incidence of loneliness has been rising.

When one member of a couple doesn't feel heard, it may put stress on their relationship. There will likely be times when both partners feel lonely. Perhaps one of you has become distant and lonely because of this. Perhaps you and your significant other used to be really close, but now you just aren't. You could be too exhausted to make romantic overtures at the moment. It might be that you are now too overwhelmed with worry or tired to focus on the needs of others. One possible reason of relationship loneliness is failing to be open with one's partner about one's innermost thoughts and emotions. If you're trying to fill a void outside of your relationship because you're lonely in a committed relationship, it may not be the relationship itself. In this respect, your partner may fall short, and you should not expect them to make up the gap.

The following are some of the warning indicators that you and your spouse could be lonely: If you feel lonely even while your partner is close by, something is wrong with your relationship. It might be a red flag if you've been feeling lonely, sad, and unsatisfied but haven't been able to talk to anybody about it. If you and your spouse have gradually become less interested in sharing the particulars of your daily lives, whether at work, at home, or with friends and family, this might be an early warning sign. To get some distance and figure out why things aren't going well. Hopefully the following advice will help you and your partner feel less alone in your relationship.

Just say you wish to express your feelings without making any accusations or criticisms. Then be honest with them and tell them how lonely you really are. A mutual evolution might be necessary now. Your feelings may have been accountable for this even before the relationship began. Meet up for a quick drink in a nearby cafe, or better yet, plan to do so. Create a close relationship with your partner. An informative book about the past is always a safe bet when shopping for a significant other. You may also take the kids out for ice cream after school so they can take a break and play video games if your partner works from home. Try putting yourself in someone else's position and seeing whether you may be of use to them. Sharing a passion may be a terrific way to get to know someone better. A surge of oxytocin is released after a warm hug. Interacting physically will strengthen the bonds between you. You'll be able to get closer to others, trust them more, and build stronger bonds with them as a plus. Don't discount the importance of your other relationships. Your value, as well as the value of others around you, will be reinforced. If you and your partner are interested in learning tried-and-true ways to improve your relationship, seeing a therapist who specializes in couples therapy may be a good place to start. To the extent that either you or your spouse is experiencing feelings of loneliness in your relationship, this professional may be able to assist.

social mediatherapyselfcarepersonality disorderdisorderdepression
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About the Creator

Dr. Sulaiman Algharbi

Retired after more than 28 years of experience with the Saudi Aramco Company. Has a Ph.D. degree in business administration. Book author. Articles writer. Owner of ten patents.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sulaiman.algharbi/

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