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Disability, illness, racism and loneliness Sometimes loneliness can be caused by something else going on in our lives. Here are some of the major issues which can cause loneliness: Mental illness. A lot of mental illnesses like bipolar, anxiety and depression can all make people feel very lonely. Mental illness can make you anxious about seeing others, so you might spend more time indoors.

Or it can lead to insomnia, which in turn can make you tired, irritable and lonely. A range of disabilities can often make people feel as though there is no one around them that cares. These feelings can get even worse if people in public are unkind or rude, and facing daily discrimination can make loneliness even harder to bear. People who encounter racism say that being discriminated against can make them feel alone, and can make it harder for them to form real connections.

When do people feel lonely? How do you manage loneliness? Here are a few quick dot points that cover some of the ways you can start feeling more at peace with the people in your life: Talk to people you trust about how you feel. Think about your interests and hang out with like-minded people check out your school or local community centre to see if there are any groups you might like.

Get a pet or try pet minding. Get online and play a game or check out our Forums. Say yes to any social invitations that might come your way. I often dream about being alone on a deserted island.

Set aside a few minutes each day to be alone with your thoughts — just 10 minutes a day can help. Silence your electronics and allow yourself to think for a few minutes. But creating that quiet time for yourself could be key to becoming the best version of yourself. This is a BETA experience.

You may opt-out by clicking here. More From Forbes. Nov 10, , pm EST. Nov 10, , am EST. Edit Story. Aug 5, , am EDT. Vacationing and traveling alone may seem particularly intimidating, but it can also be an exciting and rewarding way to challenge yourself and learn new things. Traveling alone is also a great way to build self-sufficiency and confidence.

Learn something new. Instead of being focused on doing what other people want to do, you can pursue something that satisfies your own interests. Visit a museum. It also means that you can check out things at your own pace and react to exhibits without wondering what other people are thinking. Research has shown that prosocial actions like volunteering can have a number of positive benefits.

Look for opportunities in your community where you can devote a little time to a cause you are passionate about. Most research suggests that too much social isolation takes a serious toll on both physical and mental health.

But there are benefits to spending time on your own, as long as you balance it by maintaining strong and supportive social connections. When you are working in a group, you might exert less effort to memorize information because you simply assume that others in the group will fill in the gaps, a phenomenon known as social loafing.

Working on things alone can help you focus your attention, which can improve your retention and recall. In one study published in the journal Psychological Bulletin, researchers found that groups working collaboratively to recall information performed worse than individuals recalling things on their own.

It gives you time to focus on your interests. Being alone is an important part of self-development. It allows you to get to know yourself. When you are surrounded by others, you might set your own ideas and passions aside in order to appease the wants and needs of friends and family. Taking time on your own gives you a critical opportunity to make creative choices and focus your attention without worrying about what other people are thinking.

Collaborative brainstorming is often seen as one of the best ways to generate new ideas, but research has found that people are often better at solving difficult problems when they work on their own.

Where group efforts are often about achieving consensus and fitting in with the crowd, solo work encourages innovation without added social pressure. Relationships are often strongest when each person takes time to take care of themselves. Even when it comes to friendships, the old adage may be true—a little absence might really make the heart grow fonder. One study published in the British Journal of Psychology found that highly intelligent people actually become less satisfied the more time they spend socializing with friends.

Having friendships and a strong social support system is important for your mental health and well-being, but taking a break and going it solo once in a while may help you appreciate those connections all the more. Group work is often lauded for improving collaboration and innovation, but it can also be distracting.

Even trying to focus on more than one thing at a time has been shown to dramatically reduce overall productivity. Research suggests that a certain amount of alone-time can actually help you have greater empathy for the people around you. Even when you are by yourself, you may never take a break from communicating with others.

Even in cases where you are not able to get time completely by yourself, cutting back on digital communication for a brief time might be helpful. In one study , researchers found that when teens went five days without communication devices, they improved their ability to interpret emotions and facial expressions.

Just be careful not to let periods of solitude turn into social isolation— research has found that loneliness is linked to decreased empathy. If you are used to surrounding yourself with friends and family or even prefer the company of strangers, learning to appreciate the joys of going solo may take some time.

One fascinating study found that participants would rather engage in mundane tasks or even administer electrical shocks to themselves rather than spend 6 to 15 minutes alone in a room with nothing to do but think.

In the study, participants much preferred to spend their time engaged in mundane tasks rather than being left to their own thoughts. The researchers concluded that most people would rather be doing something—even something negative—than sit and do nothing.

The key is to engage in activities that allow you to feel a sense of inner solitude. Some people can achieve this feeling while listening to music or reading a book, while others might require the quiet of a peaceful session of meditation.

Find what works for you, then make sure that you have regular moments where you can retreat to this quiet mental space. Whether you are an introvert who thrives on solitude or a gregarious extrovert who loves to socialize, a little high-quality time to yourself can be good for your overall well-being.

The trick is to remember that this alone time is for focusing on you—for cultivating your passions, finding new inspirations, getting to know yourself better, or even engaging in some much-needed rest and relaxation. Even when you are busy, pencil in a little time each week for some moments of seclusion. Learn the best ways to manage stress and negativity in your life.

Trait empathy as a predictor of individual differences in perceived loneliness. Psychol Rep.