Loneliness Support Group
Loneliness is an emotional state in which a person experiences a powerful feeling of emptiness and isolation. Loneliness is more than the feeling of wanting company or wanting to do something with another person. Loneliness is a feeling of being cut off, disconnected and alienated from other people. The lonely person may find it difficult or even impossible to have any...
So, I've been dealing with poor health for a long time now, and thinking that I had to get healthy again before I can go out and try to make some new friends. But I was doing google searches today on how to boost the immune system, and one article talked about how social isolation and social stress can both depress the immune system. I live alone and have no job and I've been EXTREMELY isolated for awhile now, having lost my only friends last November and the loneliness has gotten pretty suffocating in the past week or so. So maybe this is part of why I am not getting over my health problems in spite of massive efforts to get better.
And now I'm thinking that for the sake of my health I must go out and at least try to make some friends. I'm sad, and have no confidence at all right now and I think it's going to be awkward and painful but I have to try.
So, money is a factor, as in, not wanting to spend a lot because I have no income. Of course everything costs money except for volunteer work. I'm thinking about that. My local senior center has some classes that aren't *too* expensive.
One article I read today suggested craigslist, so I checked out the "activities" page for my area and there were a couple of activities that looked really tempting. But I am very paranoid about safety. Is there any way to know which people on craigslist are reliable? If somebody I don't know on craigslist is advertising a group that meets in a home is it a good idea to go? Am I being too paranoid?
I also know about Meetup.com and there are a couple of groups on there that are possibilities. They're not ideal fits, but I can't be too choosy right now I guess.
I'd also LOVE to get any kind of counseling, but it's so expensive and I have no insurance.
I would be very grateful for any suggestions or advice on how a sad, lonely, completely-lacking-in-confidence person like me can get out there and actually connect with some people.
Thank you.
And now I'm thinking that for the sake of my health I must go out and at least try to make some friends. I'm sad, and have no confidence at all right now and I think it's going to be awkward and painful but I have to try.
So, money is a factor, as in, not wanting to spend a lot because I have no income. Of course everything costs money except for volunteer work. I'm thinking about that. My local senior center has some classes that aren't *too* expensive.
One article I read today suggested craigslist, so I checked out the "activities" page for my area and there were a couple of activities that looked really tempting. But I am very paranoid about safety. Is there any way to know which people on craigslist are reliable? If somebody I don't know on craigslist is advertising a group that meets in a home is it a good idea to go? Am I being too paranoid?
I also know about Meetup.com and there are a couple of groups on there that are possibilities. They're not ideal fits, but I can't be too choosy right now I guess.
I'd also LOVE to get any kind of counseling, but it's so expensive and I have no insurance.
I would be very grateful for any suggestions or advice on how a sad, lonely, completely-lacking-in-confidence person like me can get out there and actually connect with some people.
Thank you.
AnnaMarie, that's a great suggestion. thanks. Unfortunately I have not been able to find a Newcomers group in my area but I really appreciate the suggestion and maybe some other folks around here will be able to benefit from it.
Calebb, yes it is kind of a chicken and egg problem. In my case the isolation definitely came first as I have been alone most of my life. But when I was young I enjoyed excellent health and I still had hope for the future. It's been a huge shock to me how my health has fallen apart in the last year especially and hope for the future is something I have to work on now.
I think being alone and stressed just makes us more susceptible to illness and injury, and it impedes the healing process. In animals studies, animals that are isolated, or under what they call social stress (e.g. being bullied) are much more likely to die from a virus than animals who are well socialized. I have made up my mind to contact one of the groups from meetup, but haven't decided which one yet.
lightbulbgirl, those are good suggestions thanks. Thing is, I am extremely shy and cannot simply walk up to somebody cold at the mall or gym and start talking to them. I need an excuse, like taking a class with somebody, or being in a small group where the purpose is to socialize. That's the only way I can start talking to somebody new, but that's just me.
Thank you again all. It means a lot to me to know there are people out there who are willing to help.