Loneliness and isolation

Things you do to help yourself when feeling lonely.  

Loneliness can have a negative effect on your physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing, so it is important to stay physically and creatively active.  

• plan your week to do something you enjoy - Take time to plan ahead and include a pastime that makes you feel good. This can include doing something creative, going outside for a walk, reading, gardening, cooking, or listening to music. 

• spend time outdoors - Going outside regularly, be it in your garden or a walk to the park is a great way of feeling better. It can help you feel more connected to nature and your neighbourhood, enjoying the natural world and your local environment. 

• challenge negative thoughts - When you’re feeling lonely it can be easy to fall into a negative mindset. It is important to challenge negative thoughts, take a step back and consider them objectively from a new perspective. Often it can be helpful to write these thoughts down. 

• look after yourself - Prioritise looking after yourself, making sure you are eating healthily, keeping hydrated, being as active as you can and sleeping well. 

• search our directory of services (living well) [external link] - This is a useful resource of available support, services and groups available in Darlington. 

• connect with others - Talking to someone about your feelings of loneliness and learning positive coping techniques such as connecting with others. See a social prescriber for support [external link]. For more information on social prescribing see NHS England [external link].

Further information 

Campaign to End Loneliness 

Aims to raise awareness of loneliness and reduce stigma through various campaigns: 

• in 2017 Campaign to End Loneliness launched The Loneliness Project [external link] produced a short film showing the effect loneliness can have on wellbeing. 

• in 2018 Campaign to End Loneliness launched Be More Us  [external link] which celebrates small moments of connections with others e.g. saying hello to a neighbour or friend. 

For more information, please visit Campaign to End Loneliness. [external link]

Lift someone out of Loneliness 

The Department for Digital Culture, Media and Sport is continuing to encourage people to 'Lift someone out of loneliness' as part of the Better Health: Every Mind Matters campaign.  

The campaign points people towards the Every Mind Matters loneliness webpage [external link], where there is advice for ways to help yourself or others who may be feeling lonely and suggested support routes.  

Loneliness Awareness Week 

Loneliness Awareness Week was created by Marmalade Trust[external link]

It is an annual campaign to help raise awareness of loneliness across the UK. It is a great opportunity to get involved by talking about loneliness, supporting people to stay connected and ensuring people know where they can go for further advice and support.  

 
 Useful links: 

 https://www.thesilverline.org.uk/ [external link]  Silverline is a free 24 hour helpline offering information, friendship and advice to over 55's.

https://www.redcross.org.uk/get-help/support-line [external link]

https://www.campaigntoendloneliness.org/feeling-lonely/helpful-links/ [external link]

https://www.darlingtonmind.com/blog/news-updates/2023/12/loneliness-and-mental-health/ (specific to Darlington) [external link]