Steps to reduce loneliness in uncertain times may vary and depend on your individual circumstances. Here are the three steps for you.

The First Step to Reduce Loneliness in Uncertain Times is A Schedule.

Your body and mine function better on a schedule. Perhaps you’ve heard the term “biological clock.” It refers to a system in our bodies that regulates when certain activities happen, such as sleeping and eating.

For clarification, you may have heard the term “biological clock” means a woman’s ability to have children before a certain age when she can’t physically do so any longer. For our schedule, I refer to the first definition of “biological clock.”

Moving forward, on a schedule, we can make those necessary calls when businesses are open or have online chat service available. We can also do those virtual or telephone medical office visits.

Some of us like the ability to shop early in the morning before it gets too hot and humid or before another day of afternoon thunderstorms strikes the area. One of my friends prefers the early hours because of heavy traffic during lunch hour and commuter traffic late afternoon. She and I are not morning people. However, we take that first step to reduce loneliness in uncertain times.

Those who are physically disabled and alone through never marrying, widowhood, or divorce may also need a schedule. Those who run errands for them may prefer to do so in daytime business hours.

You and I have options to make a schedule: a large desk calendar, a pocket calendar, a cork board, a dry erase board, a hard copy daily planner, or an online calendar.

For a related internal article on my website, click on the following link:

The Overwhelming Burden of Coping with Increasing Loneliness

The Second Step Is a Modified or Changed Plan.

As a general rule, I don’t let people in my home during uncertain times. And yet, to reduce loneliness, I modify or change my plan to do so. For example, I planned to meet my friend for lunch to celebrate her birthday in the spring. The restaurants in my area were either closed for lunch or had only outdoor café dining or takeout w/curbside pickup.

With a forecast of 93°, high grass pollen, and a massive cloud of dust over my area, we disliked the idea of outdoor café dining. I picked up clutter and cleaned almost my entire home for that meal at my dining room table. Then I saw my friend’s email. She had a runny nose, sneezing fits, and wrote that she couldn’t come to my home.

I refused to stay in pity-party mode and modified my plan to include two activities: time to complete writing an article for a regular monthly contribution to another blog and to do a little social media. Plus, I could do those things in a clean house.

Perhaps you don’t care to write or do social media. You can pick another interest or hobby. One friend enjoys music and board games with family and friends. A second woman stays home and knits Christmas, birthday, and wedding gifts.

Third Step to Reduce Loneliness in Uncertain Times is A Day with People.

One of my friends is a prolific writer and a born marketer. She talked to me and others about signing up for workshops on content marketing. The cost would be about $100.

I read the description of each workshop that would meet twice a week for the month of August. I didn’t feel led to do so. My desire is a day or better yet a vacation with people. The day will come when the crisis is over, and I look forward to doing something special with people.

For a related external post, click on the following link:

https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/seniors/a-prayer-for-a-grandparents-heart-during-quarantine.html

Conclusion

In conclusion, the three steps to reduce loneliness in uncertain times are:

1. A schedule
2. A modified or changed plan
3. A day with people

Next Step

Reflect on the three steps to see what you can do. If this article doesn’t apply to you, please share it with a person who could benefit from it.

Copyright © by Yvonne Ortega June 29, 2020. Updated on May 15, 2021