subject: Loneliness Definition...and What You Can Do About It [print this page] In order to come to terms with loneliness, it might be beneficial to first understand its definition. Loneliness is a condition in which the person suffering feels a powerful sense of being alone or in isolation. This is the very basic definition of loneliness, although it leaves much to be desired in terms of describing its full range and depth of emotions. Although most people suffer from loneliness during certain periods of their lives, the degree by which loneliness is felt can vary by a wide margin. To be as accurate as possible therefore, a loneliness definition will have to take into account all the degrees by which the emotion is felt.
Ask ten people about the definition of loneliness and you will likely get ten different answers. The reasons and circumstances surrounding the condition are different for everyone, and while some only see loneliness, meaning may be the overwhelming sensation felt by others. For most people, simply being around friends and/or family is enough to dispel any loneliness felt, while others may feel unbearably lonely even under such favorable circumstances. In fact, one of the most common indicators of a more serious emotional or mental condition is a feeling of loneliness that cannot be explained.
In the vast majority of cases, loneliness can be dealt with simply by engaging in a pleasurable activity. The most common solution is to seek out company, and being around friends and close family members can indeed go a long way in solving most problems associated with loneliness. The last thing you want to do when dealing with an episode of loneliness is to shy away from people, and you may find tremendous benefit in the simple act of meeting up with friends or even simply chatting with them over the Internet.
It is important to note however that not all cases of loneliness can be dealt with so easily. For some people suffering from a severe degree of loneliness, meaning in life is lost, and there is simply no relief to be had from activities that would normally give pleasure. Even in the midst of friends and family, some people may feel such an overbearing feeling of isolation that they might as well be all alone. For such people who fit this loneliness definition, the only recourse may be to seek professional counseling.
While the natural instinct of most people who suffer from loneliness is to find ways that can benefit them directly, there may also be some benefit to turning your attention outwards to other people. No matter how bad it can get and how overbearing your feelings of loneliness are, there are certainly people around you who have a much harder time. You can do your own small part in easing the loneliness of such people by volunteering your time and effort to worthy causes. Most orphanages and some homes for the elderly host social activities on occasion, and they can be a great way to take your mind off your loneliness while helping out other people at the same time.
