Creating connectionLooking after your wellbeing
Practical strategies to ease loneliness
Practical strategies to ease loneliness
5 minutes
Loneliness is a normal human experience. Everyone encounters it at some point in their lives. But ignoring loneliness does not make it disappear. Left unacknowledged, it tends to intensify and become harder to carry. if not managed well, it can affect your behaviours, wellbeing, and your relationships with others.
Here are five simple, practical ways to ease it and feel more connected again:
1
Acceptance
The first step is to acknowledge the feeling. This is you being honest and accepting of yourself, not judgment.
So, take a deep breath. Let yourself name what you are feeling without criticism or explanation.
So, take a deep breath. Let yourself name what you are feeling without criticism or explanation.
2
Create opportunities for intentional social interaction, even when brief
Proactively build moments of social connection into your week. This can look like:
• Going out (eg. grocery shopping, walking the dog, the gym)
• Exchanging quick messages in group chats
• Smiling, or saying ‘hello’ during brief interactions - makes a big difference
Even small, positive social exchanges can meaningfully reduce feelings of loneliness over time.
• Going out (eg. grocery shopping, walking the dog, the gym)
• Exchanging quick messages in group chats
• Smiling, or saying ‘hello’ during brief interactions - makes a big difference
Even small, positive social exchanges can meaningfully reduce feelings of loneliness over time.
3
Volunteering
Take a look at volunteering groups aligned to your interests such as charity groups, local councils or schools. Pay attention to:
• Their values and culture to make sure it’d be something that you’re interested in
• What kind of volunteering activities they might have
With volunteering, you can contribute to a purpose beyond your day-to-day work. Here, you develop connections with people who share similar values to you. It also helps foster a sense of purpose and fulfillment.
• Their values and culture to make sure it’d be something that you’re interested in
• What kind of volunteering activities they might have
With volunteering, you can contribute to a purpose beyond your day-to-day work. Here, you develop connections with people who share similar values to you. It also helps foster a sense of purpose and fulfillment.
4
Revisit an old hobby or interest
Take time to reflect on past hobbies or interests. Consider:
• Why were they meaningful to you
• Whether they can be revisited
• Other interests you once wanted to explore but never had the opportunity to
Start with some research. Explore online communities – seeing what other people with the same interests are doing can help jog your own creativity and curiosity.
And remember: your skill level shouldn’t dictate what’s worth your time. The value of it isn’t based on whether you can make it good or profitable, but on how much joy it brings you. Your hobbies and interests are meant for you to unwind and destress, not to meet expectations or produce results.
• Why were they meaningful to you
• Whether they can be revisited
• Other interests you once wanted to explore but never had the opportunity to
Start with some research. Explore online communities – seeing what other people with the same interests are doing can help jog your own creativity and curiosity.
And remember: your skill level shouldn’t dictate what’s worth your time. The value of it isn’t based on whether you can make it good or profitable, but on how much joy it brings you. Your hobbies and interests are meant for you to unwind and destress, not to meet expectations or produce results.
5
Ask for help
You don’t have to manage loneliness on your own. Reaching out is a sign of strength, not weakness, and support is available in many different forms.
A good first step can be your GP, who can help you talk through what you’re experiencing and connect you with practical support or referrals if needed.
If you need to speak to someone immediately, free and confidential services are available:
• Lifeline – 13 11 14 (24/7 phone support in Australia)
• You can also access online chat at lifeline.org.au
• If you’re outside Australia, similar crisis support services are available in most countries.
You may also have access to confidential wellbeing support through your workplace, such as an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). These services typically offer free, private counselling and support by phone or online. No referral is needed – you can reach out whenever you need to talk.
A good first step can be your GP, who can help you talk through what you’re experiencing and connect you with practical support or referrals if needed.
If you need to speak to someone immediately, free and confidential services are available:
• Lifeline – 13 11 14 (24/7 phone support in Australia)
• You can also access online chat at lifeline.org.au
• If you’re outside Australia, similar crisis support services are available in most countries.
You may also have access to confidential wellbeing support through your workplace, such as an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). These services typically offer free, private counselling and support by phone or online. No referral is needed – you can reach out whenever you need to talk.
Asking for help can feel hard, especially when you’re already feeling low. But you deserve support, connection and understanding. Taking that first small step – whether it’s making a call, booking an appointment, or telling someone how you feel – can make a real difference.
Loneliness can feel overwhelming, persistent and impossible to overcome. But it’s not permanent. With these practical strategies, you can take initiative to ease loneliness in a way that works for you.
Sources
Vasuvedan, M. (2023). How To Beat Leadership Loneliness, Stress Less and Find More Enthusiasm Every Day. Retrieved from https://manojvasudevan.medium.com/how-to-beat-leadership-loneliness-stress-less-and-find-more-enthusiasm-every-day-fbaf18a1be9e
Burnardm E. (2025). The rules I use to combat loneliness while living alone. Retrieved from https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04-08/the-rules-i-use-to-combat-loneliness-while-living-alone/105123432
Mind Org UK. (2023). Loneliness. Retrieved from https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/tips-for-everyday-living/loneliness/tips-to-manage-loneliness/
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