Beat Loneliness. Let’s face it, feeling lonely sucks. According to a 2023 Meta-Gallup survey, almost 1 in 4 adults worldwide admit to feeling pretty darn lonely. That’s a lot of people dealing with the blues. US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy even called out loneliness, saying it’s been hiding in the shadows for too long, messing with our mental and physical well-being.
So, what’s the fix? Well, strong connections with friends, family, and partners are like loneliness kryptonite. They’re not just nice to have; they’re crucial for a happy and healthy life. Here’s a breakdown of five chill steps you can take to kick loneliness to the curb in 2024.
Step 1: Start Small, Stay Chill
Adam Smiley, the wise one, says it’s cool to take it slow. Whether you’re looking to make new friends, tighten the bonds with the old ones, or dip your toes in the dating pool, start small. Maybe shoot a text to check in with someone once a week or meet one new person a month. Keep it low-key.
And here’s a gem from Poswolsky, a workplace belonging expert: make a list of five people in your life that you care about and give one of them a ring. It’s the tiny moments that spark the most remarkable friendships. Research even says it takes around 90 hours to call someone a friend and more than 200 hours to consider them a close bud. So, get those hangouts on the calendar and commit to the friend dates.
Step 2: Set Boundaries Like a Boss
Believe it or not, building connections might mean you need to put on your boundary-setting hat. Kami Orange says it’s not just about keeping the bad vibes out; it’s also about holding onto the good relationships.
Step 3: Get to Know Yourself, No Biggie
Ever wondered how you attach to others or how they attach to you? It’s like relationship astrology, and it’s called attachment styles. First cooked up by psychoanalyst John Bowlby in the ’50s, it’s all about how you roll in relationships – the closeness, the intimacy, and dealing with potential threats.
Step 4: Embrace the Art of Conflict (It’s a Thing)
Fighting happens; let’s not kid ourselves. But guess what? It can be healthy, according to the pros. The secret sauce is to fight with love, like a power couple, you know? Social psychologist David W. Johnson even labeled five ways people handle conflict: turtles, sharks, teddy bears, foxes, and owls..
In a Nutshell
Loneliness is a buzzkill, but you’re not alone in feeling lonely. With a few easy steps – starting small, setting boundaries, getting to know yourself, and mastering the art of conflict – you can kick loneliness to the curb and make 2024 the year of epic connections. Time to start building your social squad!
