4 Ways to Beat Loneliness

How often do you feel you lack of companionship? How often do you feel left out? How often do you feel isolated from others? 

These were the three questions asked of participants in a U.S. National Institute on Aging study on loneliness. Researcher discovered that 14 percent to 27 percent of a lifelong tendency toward loneliness can be linked to inherited traits and that being lonely often goes hand in hand with depression. They have yet to pinpoint a specific genetic predictor of chronic loneliness, however, according to the study.

What we do know about loneliness, however, is that it can be detrimental to your health – one study cites that it’s as bad as smoking 15 cigarettes per day. We also know that it’s something you may temporarily struggle with along your journey toward sobriety. The good news: You can control it and the effort is sure to have a positive effect on your long-term recovery. Start with these steps:

Volunteer: Getting out into your community will help combat those feelings of isolation and can help you meet like-minded friends.

Find a hobby. Whether an outdoor sport or knitting, hobbies can help you have fun and make new friends. And being passionate about something can help you connect with other people in a very authentic way.

Embrace your spirituality. Many people in recovery turn to religion. It’s a great way to become part of a community and bond with people on a spiritual level.

Invest in a pet. A furry friend can make you feel needed, wanted and loved and are perfect companions to help you get through recovery without feeling lonely.

You’re Not Alone in Your Recovery
At Complete Harmony, we welcome women and men of all ages and all walks of life who are searching for a non-12-step, holistic, or hybrid addiction recovery program. To learn more, call us today: 866-930-4673.