Melody Jacob

It's hard to be lonely. It's possible to feel lonely when you don't have any friends and are missing someone to talk to, or when you are with people you can talk to, or even your family and friends.

In either case, being alone for a long time can be very bad for your health. It makes you more likely to get coronary artery disease, a stroke, depression, high blood pressure, memory loss, failure to do daily tasks, and even early death.

Here are three ways to make new friends and feel less lonely, which will make you happier.

You can't always get over being alone by going out to meet new people. If you feel lonely even though you have relationships, you might need to talk to a therapist and check yourself from within.

For people who feel lonely because they don't have enough friends, meeting new people is more of an outward journey for them. As people get older, they tend to become less flexible in the way they live their lives. These days, making friends is harder than it used to be in the past.

These are the tips that will help you.

1. Look for people with similar beliefs.

You can make friends more quickly with people who like the same things you do.
First, think about what you like. Do you read a lot, watch a lot of movies, study history, farm, eat a lot, have a dog, or play sports? Are you really interested in a good cause, your neighborhood, or your history? Do you collect things? Are you crazy about old cars? Do you like changing the way old furniture looks? You might want to learn something new, like how to cook a Nigerian dish or speak a new language. If you are interested in any of these hobbies or things you want to try, Look for clubs, charity workshops, classes, or online groups that can help you achieve them.

When you join a group, you have to keep going to it so that you can make friends. It would be great if you could be there in person.

2. Learn how to get along with others.

Sometimes the simple social skills that help us really connect with other people get rusty over time. You'll be happier if you're not just hoping that someone will notice how interesting you are.

How to get better:

Make more smiles. When you smile, you make other people feel welcome and at ease.

Make things interesting. Are you ready to talk or ask something? One idea is to talk about the news or why everyone is here (if it's a class, ask someone how long they've been interested in the subject). Or, find something to talk about. That person may be wearing a pretty pin. See if there's a story behind it.

Try your best to listen. As you listen, show that you are interested in what they have to say. You can look at them, nod your head, or say "Mmm" while they talk to help. Feel like everyone is waiting to hear what you have to say.

There are more things you should ask. Don't go away when someone tells you they have an interesting story. If they hint at something, show that you're interested and ask them to go into more detail. They're leaving clues that will lead to a more in-depth talk.

3. Make chances happen.
If you don't want to join someone else's group, make your own. Hold events at your home or somewhere else. It only takes three people. You can say something like, "Let's read books, talk about a TV show, or have dinner together every week."

Here are some other ideas for weekly or monthly get-togethers:

• Nights with games
• A night of trivia
• Hiking in beautiful parks, walks on the beach, trips to museums, cooking, knitting, sewing, or crafting, shopping, day trips to nearby towns, making jewelry, collecting comic books, old dolls, and baseball cards, and showing off your collection

Not just close friends can come; anyone you want to get to know better is welcome. It could be a friend or a coworker.

If they want to, set up times and places to get together regularly. The idea might only be thought about unless something changes. Don't be shy.

Even if you don't become friends, chatting can still be useful. The people who interacted with strangers, coworkers, friends, and family the most were happier than the people who interacted with the fewest types of people. This was found in a study from 2022.

Finally, talking to a lot of different people is good for your health, whether it's the cashier at the grocery store, a neighbor, an old friend, or a new friend. All of these connections might make you feel less lonely.

Exercise is a cornerstone of self-care for healthcare workers. Just 30 minutes of physical activity per day can work wonders for your body and mind. Whether it's a brisk walk outdoors or a quick workout session, regular exercise can reduce stress levels, elevate your mood, and boost energy. Moreover, it can improve your sleep quality.

To make exercise a part of your daily routine, you don't need to allocate a continuous 30 minutes. Short bursts of activity throughout the day, such as walking to or from a shift, can be just as effective. Enhance your exercise experience by listening to your favorite music or podcasts, inviting a friend or colleague to join you, or trying different activities for variety.

In a busy work schedule, finding time for meals and staying hydrated is essential. Proper nutrition and hydration are fundamental for maintaining energy levels and concentration. Start your day with a nutritious meal, snack on healthy options like fruits and nuts, and keep a refillable water bottle on hand. Preparing balanced meals in advance can help you avoid resorting to unhealthy snacks when you're too exhausted to cook.

Quality sleep is a potent tool for overall well-being, but healthcare professionals often struggle to unwind after demanding shifts. It's vital to avoid caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, and heavy meals before bedtime, as these stimulants can disrupt your sleep. Putting your phone away 30 minutes before bedtime can aid in relaxation.

If racing thoughts keep you awake, try reading or listening to soothing music to calm your mind. You can also use ambient sounds like white noise or rainfall to drown out distractions and ease into sleep.

Dedicating time for self-care is non-negotiable. This time is your opportunity to engage in activities that bring you joy, whether it's reading, crafting, or indulging in a relaxing bath. Additionally, consider incorporating calming wellness practices like meditation, breathing exercises, or muscle relaxation into your routine.

Self-care time can also include journaling and practicing gratitude, both of which can enhance your mental well-being. Focusing on the things you're thankful for, expressing gratitude to loved ones and colleagues, and documenting positive thoughts can foster optimism, and joy, and reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation.

Engaging in social interactions can provide an instant mood boost and is a vital aspect of self-care for healthcare workers. Conversations with friends, family, or colleagues can improve your mental health and reduce feelings of depression. Whether it's sharing a meal with loved ones, meeting a friend for coffee, or connecting with a colleague during a break, socializing is beneficial for overall well-being.

In addition to the mental health benefits, socializing has been found to strengthen the immune system, helping your body ward off illnesses. While face-to-face conversations are ideal, connecting with others through technology, such as video calls, can also be effective.

Incorporating these self-care tips into your busy work schedule can have a profound impact on your overall well-being. By prioritizing your self-care, you'll be better equipped to provide high-quality care to your patients and maintain a healthier work-life balance. Your well-being matters and these strategies are here to support you in your healthcare journey.

For more insights on taking care of your mental health, check out our blog post on How to Take Care of Your Mental Health.

What is denial?
Denial is a psychological defence mechanism, a clever technique the mind can use when circumstances are challenging. It keeps us safe, in my opinion, and I regard it as a barrier of protection that we may or may not be conscious of. Additionally, it prevents us from examining our own behaviour or changing the environment.

Denial can be a response to something that challenges firmly held ideas or something that you're not ready to accept or confess.

Common reasons for denial include

• Abuse (including physical, sexual, financial, emotional, mental, and other forms)
• Excessive consumption of alcohol, drug abuse, or other substance use disorders
• Politics
• Family or lifestyle concerns
• Medical findings
• Smoking
• Mental illness problems
• Weight gain

How might we benefit from denial?
We can hide behind denial to avoid unpleasant emotions. It might be beneficial in the short run and offer relief to people who lack the time or capacity to deal with an issue.

For instance, even if someone is dissatisfied in a relationship, the prospect of being alone could be worse than the alternative. Or perhaps someone lacks the strength or emotional capacity to accept what is happening because they are exhausted or overburdened. " Someone may feel it's better to not think about the circumstance and let it go because they believe it's too much to bear at this time.

How is denial harmful to us?
Denial can be harmful when we are in risky or unhealthy situations.

For instance, failing to acknowledge the truth about a medical or mental ailment might have detrimental effects on our health. "A lot of teenagers have depression and substance use issues, and some parents downplay the issue out of concern for their children. "But denying problems can hurt children and prevent them from making significant change," the statement begins.

When it comes to addiction or abuse, denial can be harmful as well. All members of a family are impacted by these issues, which can result in unhealthy practises being passed down from one generation to the next.

Friendship-free zone
Compared to women, men experience more difficulty making and keeping friends as they get older. The issue is that many men find lifelong companions through activities they have in common, such as sports, the military, and employment. "A man's circle of friends gets smaller as those sources are eliminated over time—through retirement, life changes, and death."

Replicating circumstances and environments that encourage male bonding is the best strategy for establishing friends and preserving current relationships, he continues. For instance:

Learn about group dynamics. Consider joining a walking group, a golf or bowling league, a card, book, or chess club, or a continuing education course at an adult education facility. Or invite an existing friend to join you so you both can add more people to your friend list. It is frequently simpler to communicate with others who share your passions, so find something you enjoy, and chances are there are others who share your interest.

How can discrimination impact our health?

Despite this, multiple studies have shown that discrimination increases the risk of developing a wide spectrum of heart disease risk factors. This can also include chronic low-grade inflammation, obesity, and type 2 diabetes, in addition to hypertension.

Who participated in the work discrimination research?
The survey followed a national sample of 1,246 adults from a variety of occupations and educational levels, with roughly equal proportions of men and women.

The majority were Caucasian, middle-aged, and married. They were predominantly nonsmokers who consumed low to moderate quantities of alcohol and engaged in moderate to vigorous exercise. None of the participants had elevated blood pressure based on the initial measurements.