Thot God

1. Try to switch your emotions to neutral so you can think more clearly, and do what’s best for you.

2. Ask “how” not “why”. Just for the moment, keep your focus on the challenge, and the steps you need to take to climb out of the pit. Often, by doing one small thing can start to turn things round.

3. Look for the good things, and the lessons you can learn. It will help you be resourceful, and will change your attitude.

4. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Other people understand what it’s like to get bad news. They know it “knocks you sideways”, and it saps your energy.

5. Try and see it as a temporary experience. Life is always changing, and bad things pass in time.

1. Attempt to uncover the reason that you’re down.

2. Journal about your feelings.

3. Identify the thoughts associated with your feelings.

4. Challenge faulty, negative extreme thought patterns.

5. Talk to a trusted friend or counsellor.

6. Plan a day out, a special treat, or a vacation.

7. Play and dance to some upbeat music.

8. Snuggle up with a blanket and your favourite book.

9. Turn off social media, your laptop and cell phone.

1. Value and respect the fact that you are a totally unique individual, with your own destiny to fulfill. Believe in who you are, what you think and believe, your gifts and talents, and what you have to offer to those around you.

2. Refuse to give into negative feelings of anxiety, self doubt or insecurity. In fact, “fake it till you make it” is often good advice … So, ignore how you feel, and act the way you want to be. Choose to switch off the old tapes that keep on playing in your head, and try to visualize your goals and then push on and seek to reach them.

3. Don’t pay any attention to what others think about you. The most important judgment should be yours, and yours alone. If you live in constant fear of what others think about you, it will only hold you back from realizing your potential. Also, you’re not a clone of others as each of us is different. Don’t be afraid to be unique or to stand out against the crowd.

4. Accept that you have good points, and areas for growth. We’re all a mix of different qualities, and flaws, and traits. We all make mistakes – it’s what you do with them matters – so embrace the fact you’re human and won’t always get it right.

5. Also, develop a tough skin and don’t take insults personally. Look back and laugh – don’t cower – or criticise yourself. It won’t help if you’re sensitive or worried all the time. It’s better to forgive yourself, and then move on again.

6. Develop your ability to think creatively. Try out those new ideas, and choose to live outside the box.

Loneliness is driven by many different factors. Communication problems, racial and cultural intolerance, and environmental influences can all increase one’s chance of experiencing loneliness. But, research has shown that genetics also plays a part on loneliness. A study was conducted in 1994 and 1995 on 1,116 pairs of 18 year-old same-sex twins in the U.K. The purpose of the study was to determine whether or not there was a connection between social isolation and loneliness, how the two relate to depression, and whether genetics influences them. Participants reported their levels of of social isolation, loneliness, and depressive symptoms. The results concluded that young adults who socially isolate themselves don’t necessarily experience loneliness.

However, those who experienced loneliness often struggle with depression, mainly because the same gene influences the two. Social isolation is when one has limited social connections and interactions. But, loneliness is when one feels socially and emotionally disconnected from those around them. This is why someone can experience loneliness when they’re in a room full of people, while another person who seeks solitude can find contentment in being alone. The study has concluded that no one specific gene predisposes you to loneliness, but rather, it may be influenced by several genes. Similar to the complex biological makeup of loneliness, there is not a single, clear-cut answer for curing loneliness. However, there are effective strategies to approach it. Psych2Go shares with you 5 ways to cope with loneliness:

1. Normalize and accept your loneliness.

Director John Cacioppo of the University of Chicago’s Center for Cognitive and Social Neuroscience has been studying loneliness for over 20 years. He discovered that loneliness is on the rise. The rate increased from 11-20% in the 1970s and 1980s to 40-45% in 2010. These statistics show that you are not alone when struggling with loneliness, but like most mental health issues, there is still a strong stigma attached to it. It remains unclear as to why there is a significant rise to loneliness. They can be linked to the rising divorce rates, people moving frequently, and many social inequalities that have yet to be resolved that cause us to feel more separated, rather than united…