How to Be Happy Even when Alone
We all have trouble being alone from time to time. Whether we're single, living alone, or simply having a tough time tolerating being by ourselves, it can be a challenge to feel happy if you're lonely. In this article, we'll walk you through a variety of useful strategies for staying positive and living your best life when you're on your own.

Here are 14 tips and tricks to help you feel happy even when you’re alone.
1. **Exploring new hobbies keeps your mind active and engaged.** It’s normal to feel a bit empty and restless when you’re lonely. Throwing yourself into interesting new hobbies can help with that! Use your alone time to explore something you've always wanted to do. Consider activities like:

Learning a new language
Gardening
Learning to play an instrument
Arts and crafts projects
2. **A set schedule can give you a sense of order and purpose.** Being alone has a way of making people feel a bit lost. Taking a few minutes to create a daily schedule for yourself can help prevent that feeling! Schedule in regular daily activities, like work, exercise, or cooking, as well as hobbies and other pursuits.
Schedule in communication, too, especially if you’re introverted and struggle with that. For example, pencil in a time to call or video chat with a friend.
3. **It’s easy to focus on the negative when you’re by yourself.** Everyone does this from time to time, but that doesn’t mean it’s healthy. When you feel yourself getting stuck in that negative headspace, make an effort to get yourself out by focusing on the positive things in your life. Grab a pen and some paper and write down an actual list!
You can also try making these lists more often, like at the end the day or week.
4. **Use social media to connect but log out if it feels negative.** Social media is a great way to meet and interact with others, but it has downsides, too. If you notice that you’re using it to compare yourself to others, or if you feel bad about yourself or even lonelier after using social media, it might help to log out more often.
When you're online, focus on meaningful conversations and positive interactions. Try to spend less time mindlessly scrolling.
5. **A change of scenery can boost your mood and shift your perspective.** If you’re feeling lonely, try to force yourself to get up and go for a brief walk. Just a few minutes outdoors can help you get your mind off things and refresh you.
If negative thoughts start creeping in, gently remind yourself to refocus on your surroundings.
6. **Giving your time and effort to help others eases loneliness.** Everyone likes to feel needed; doing volunteer work is a selfless way for you to fulfill that need while also making a difference in your community. When you’re actively engaged and helping others, it’s hard to feel truly alone. Look into volunteer opportunities like:

Serving food at a soup kitchen
Mentoring a young person in a Big Brother or Big Sister program
Reading to the elderly in nursing homes
Environmental or animal rights activism
7. **Writing down thoughts and feelings can help you make sense of them.** Regular journaling can help you get to know yourself better through self-expression. You can also practice gratitude by keeping track of what you're grateful for in your journal. Take a few minutes each day make note of a few things.
8. **Make a list of things that you truly like about yourself.** There’s nothing wrong with appreciating yourself! Take some time to celebrate your good qualities. Reflect on your best traits. You can even add these to your gratitude lists or journal.

For example: "I do an awesome job at work. I'm a valued member of the team."
Or look at yourself in the mirror and say, "I have kind eyes."
If you're having trouble with this, ask a few trusted friends or family members what they think your best qualities are.
9. **Studies show regular exercise eases loneliness and boosts mood.** We all know exercise makes us physically fit, but did you know it also releases chemicals in your brain that make you feel positive and happy? It’s true! If you feel uncomfortable exercising around other people, start with easy activities you can do by yourself, like running, walking, or biking.
If you don’t mind exercising with others, that may offer even more mood-boosting benefits! Consider trying fitness or yoga classes, or working out in a public gym.
10. **Speak to yourself with kindness and compassion—you deserve that.** Positive self-talk takes practice, but it's worth it. For example, if you find yourself thinking negative thoughts such as, "Nobody wants to spend time with me," change this thought to something more realistic like, "People love spending time with me, but sometimes they get busy and that's normal."

If you feel like you aren’t doing a good job at work or school, tell yourself something a friend might say like, “Are you serious? You're great at your job!"
If you’re an introvert, keep in mind that that isn’t a flaw! It’s a completely natural and acceptable way to be.
11. **Remember that being alone and being lonely are different things!** It might not seem like it now, but you can be alone without feeling lonely. Spend some time thinking of reasons why being alone can be a positive thing. You can even make a list and keep it with you! Here are a few examples to get you started:

The freedom to daydream and be introspective
The ability to do things your way without compromising
More time to focus on your health and well-being
More time to practice and develop your skills
12. **Meditation and breathing exercises can help you feel calm and centered.** Mindfulness is about being in the here-and-now, or living in the present moment, appreciating it without dwelling too much in the past or worrying about the future. Studies show that mindfulness techniques can help to reduce feelings of loneliness and anxiety. Consider exploring:

Meditation
Yoga
Deep breathing exercises
13. **Spend quality time with the people who are important to you.** Focus on connecting and conversing with them instead of doing passive activities like watching television. If you feel secure about the connections in your life, you’re less likely to feel lonely when you’re at home or doing things by yourself.

If it’s been a while, reach out and see how they’re doing! Make plans to catch up soon.
When you’re alone, focus on the positive memories you have with the people you love.
14. **Therapy can help you feel heard and understood.** Loneliness can be a symptom of a larger issue like depression. If you find yourself becoming increasing lonely or not being able to tolerate being alone, it may benefit you to seek professional help.

Psychotherapy can be a useful way to understand yourself better.
Contact your medical insurance provider for a list of approved psychologists, therapists, and psychiatrists.
Avoid drinking alcohol or using other substances to cope with being alone.
Be patient - good things will come.
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