Loneliness: 10 Easy Things To Do To Stop Feeling Lonely

One thing I’ve realised over the years is that what you tell yourself becomes your experience. So if you tell yourself you're lonely then you will be.

But loneliness is just an emotion, shaped by your thoughts, and you have the power to shift both your mindset and experience.

Life’s ups and downs can trigger feelings of loneliness: a breakup, a divorce, a bereavement, an empty nest, changing jobs or even retiring. Sometimes, there’s no specific cause at all. At its core, loneliness is about disconnection - from yourself, from others, from the world around you. Creating intentional connection can help you move through it.

Here are ten easy things you can do to help shift your thoughts and shake feelings of loneliness:

1. Move Your Body to Shift Your Mood

Loneliness often comes with a feeling of stagnation. It can make you feel uninspired, lethargic and disengaged. We hold our issues in our tissues and moving the body through a range of motion can take off some of the heaviness. Movement also helps release feel good hormones. In fact, it’s wired into our brains that moving from just A to B, can help us feel like we’ve moved forward in life, even if it’s just a short walk around the garden.

Try my yin yoga class for loneliness

2. Get Outside and Change Your Environment

Nature is an instant mood booster. Sunlight, fresh air and even the smallest change of scenery can make a difference. Getting outside and feeling the sun on your skin or a light breeze can make you really feel alive. Even listening to the birds or seeing little glimpses of wildlife can help you remember that we are all connected in this world. Taking in the simple joys of nature helps you be fully present and connect with the now.

The natural world is a constant reminder that we’re all connected and that no feeling lasts forever.

3. Call or Voice Note a Friend (Even If You Don’t Feel Like It)

When you feel lonely, it’s easy to retreat deep into a world of solitude, making you feel even more disconnected. A great way to counteract this is to call or text an old friend a funny story you shared, or tell them you were thinking of them because you remembered a certain song or film. When we feel lonely it can start a spiral of negative thoughts so tapping into a moment of joy can help stop it. The brain doesn’t know the difference between the past and present, just the emotion, so it’s a great way to drum up a good feeling.

4. Join a Virtual or Local Community

As I said before, loneliness isn’t just about being physically alone; it’s about feeling disconnected. When I did my yoga teacher training, the teacher taught us the triple gem of happiness. This reminds us that a fulfilling life is built on three essential pillars:

1️⃣ Tools (Practices): Personal rituals that bring peace, like yoga, breathwork, or journaling. 

2️⃣ Inspiration: Learning from teachings, books, or messages that uplift and motivate. 

3️⃣ Community: Surrounding yourself with people who share your values and help you feel seen.

If you’ve been feeling isolated, start by strengthening the third pillar. Whether it’s a local yoga class, a group chat with friends, or a virtual space designed for support, finding a sense of belonging makes all the difference. Co-working spaces, online memberships or meet-ups can help. Interaction, even digital, reminds you that you’re not alone.

5. Do Something for Someone Else

It's known that kind acts benefit the ‘giver’ as much as the recipient. It’s also a really easy way to create connection, even if it’s just a small moment in time. Give someone a compliment, smile at a stranger who needs it, write a review, offer to help a neighbour or volunteer for a good cause. No matter how small the gesture the feeling will be the same - connection.

Even the smallest moment of generosity can break the loneliness cycle.

6. Listen to a Podcast or Audiobook

Having a voice in the background can feel comforting. Whether it’s the television, the radio, a podcast or an audiobook, it sends a message to the brain that you’re not alone.

I personally love joining live yoga classes online instead of pre-recorded ones - it makes a huge difference in feeling connected. You might also enjoy taking part in a live challenge or webinar. You’ll learn something new while sharing an experience with others.

7. Write in a Journal or Record a Voice Memo

Sometimes, we need to connect with ourselves first. Often our inner critic can tell us bad things about ourselves and if you are feeling a bit isolated, it can exacerbate those negative feelings. Writing down how you feel on paper and getting it out for your head can help you see with more clarity. You can even chat away to your phone and record a voice memo about how you feel.

Try journaling for 5 minutes:

• What’s making me feel lonely today?

• What’s one small thing I can do to shift this?

• What am I grateful for in this moment?

No-one ever need read or hear it but you. It can also help you rationalise your feelings when you play it back. Maybe it will reveal you’ve been looking at things through an unhelpful lens.

8. Engage in a Hobby That Brings You Joy

When you focus on a creative outlet, loneliness fades into the background.

Whether it’s painting, music, baking, or DIY projects, doing something just for fun shifts your focus from what’s missing to what’s possible. Plus, when you share your creations, you invite connection with others.

If you don’t have a hobby, try revisiting something you loved as a child. You might rediscover a lost passion.

9. Try a Guided Meditation or Breath-work Session

Loneliness can trigger stress so engaging in practices that help calm the nervous system can help. I like listening to yoga nidras (yogic sleep) or guided meditations on YouTube. Even a 5-minute breathing exercise can bring comfort. You can try this calming practice here (one of my old videos)

10. Set Up a ‘Coffee Chat’ with a Peer or Mentor

Talking to someone in your field can boost motivation and connection. When you connect with someone that understands what you do or with the same interests, you have an instant rapport and can make you feel part of something bigger. Set up regular catchups on Zoom or do it the old fashioned way and meet in person. Just talking about common goals or experiences can help dispel a lonely feeling.

Final Thoughts: Connection is the Antidote

Loneliness isn’t about being alone; it’s about feeling disconnected. The good news? Connection is everywhere.

Even when you’re by yourself, you are never truly alone. Whether it’s connecting with yourself, nature, a friend, or a wider community, taking one small step can shift your entire perspective.

As Sadghuru wisely said:
"If you feel lonely when you are alone, that means you are obviously in bad company!"

The key? Build a fulfilling relationship with yourself first and the rest will follow.

If you're currently experiencing feelings of stress, burnout, loneliness or isolation, I invite you to join my daily SMS subscription service My Calm Texts. Receive a daily dose of calm and connection right to your handset to let you know you're not alone. Click the image below to grab all the details.