Lonely? Overcome loneliness by asking whether its cause is temporary or it’s lingering too long.
Taking action is the best path to overcoming loneliness—don’t dismiss getting a short-term assessment by a professional counselor (through your Employee Assistance Program) for guidance and tips and to rule out depression, especially if you feel lethargic about creating change.
Loneliness has two parts:
- The negative state of mind it produces
- The circumstances you identify as the cause (isolation, absence of a close relationship, overcoming shyness, etc.).
Each part can benefit from its own intervention—one part involving concrete steps and the other overcoming the negative self-talk that may undermine any action you want to take.
Source: UTEAP FrontLine Employee (July 2017)