Hadar Swersky ! Kinds of Loneliness

1. The Different Kinds of Loneliness and How to Prevent It Loneliness is a reflection of a lack of connection, not of a lack of people. Therefore, even in a crowd, a person can experience loneliness. If no one from their known support network is present, being in the middle of a group can make some people feel even more isolated because they find it difficult to interact with those around them. Here are some examples of loneliness: ●Existential Loneliness According to existential theory, some existential loneliness in seniors is healthy for the soul and is unavoidably a part of the human experience. However, loneliness frequently elicits negative emotions, and while these can be beneficial for self-exploration, we are also hesitant about them and want to avoid them as much as possible. We all have existential fears from time to time, such as the fear of being alone, dying, having no purpose in life, and being free. We can immerse ourselves in the present by acknowledging the fear and using it as motivation to live more fully and in the moment. That may help us realize that we are among a vast sea of people battling these fears. ●Emotional Loneliness The feeling that you don't have any connections or attachments leads to this kind of loneliness in seniors. When everyone in your group except for you has a romantic partner, you might feel emotionally alone. When you realize there is no one available to talk to about something important in your life, you may experience emotional loneliness. You might experience loneliness for the person who left your life if your heart has to get broken. You could miss a close friend, a parent, a sibling, or another person. Building a robust support network is the long-term cure for emotional isolation. You can increase your chances of deepening a friendship by reaching out to friends and being willing to be the one to suggest a meet-up or get-together. You can't create "instant friendship" or find a "soulmate" overnight. As long as you don't burden others with your needs, telling someone you "need to talk" can lead to a closer connection. ●Social Loneliness You experience this loneliness when you don't feel like you belong to a larger group. Even if you have a partner you adore romantically, you might still experience social isolation. If you don't

2. have a social network, you might feel as though you, or you and your partner, are a part of no group. If you typically don't feel comfortable approaching strangers, a sense of social loneliness may overtake you when you enter a party and don't recognize anyone you know. Join a beginner's salsa, foxtrot, or rhumba dance class if you and your partner feel that you don't have a shared social circle. Join forces to volunteer, whether it's constructing homes, stuffing envelopes, or bringing food to the housebound. One of the surefire ways to start a new friendship is to know that at least one of the other people in the room shares a similar interest with you.