Feeling lonely is completely normal. Many of us can feel lonely while checking our social media, on our own or with others. It is nothing to be embarrassed or ashamed of.
Sometimes admitting we feel lonely can be hard but it’s important to remember that many others experience similar feelings of loneliness too, and that this feeling can pass.
If you are feeling lonely, or know someone else who is, there are plenty of simple, affordable actions you can take, such as:
- going for a walk with someone
- inviting someone out for a coffee and a chat
- finding out about affordable events nearby
- going along to a gym class or playing in a sports team
- joining a society or local community group to meet like-minded people; and
- reaching out to those around you so you can both feel the benefits of in-person social connection.
Various local community groups, sports classes and activities can be found on Livewell Southend. You can use the search function to find things that suit your interests, or look through the directories to see what's on offer:
Find more support and advice on the Better Health - Every Mind Matters Loneliness web page to help yourself or others who might be feeling lonely, or search ‘Loneliness Every Mind Matters’ for more support and advice.