Tero Vesalainen / Getty Images
You dont have to be socially isolated to feel lonely.
You might be in a long-term relationship or even in a family with many siblings.
You might live in a shared house with friends and still feel alone.
Tero Vesalainen / Getty Images
Lonelinessis a negative state in which you feel discomfort or social pain.
You may feel alone,empty, or possibly evenunwanted.
Its not unusual to feel lonely in a crowd or with a loved one.
This feeling of social isolation often takes place even if youre among other people.
This article will focus on feelings of lonelinessdespite being in a romantic relationship.
Thats because loneliness is a feeling and a perception.
Among couples, its often a challenge when one person feels lonely in the relationship.
Sometimes, both partners feel isolated.
Fortunately, there are solutions to this problem.
Are You Feeling Lonely?
Or both of you have drifted apart and arent as close as you used to be.
You might be too tired to reconnect forintimacy.
You might feel too pressured (or tired) to meet someone elses needs.
Its important to figure out what is causing your feelings and to be honest with yourself.
This void might be something that your partner cannot reasonably be expected to fill for you.
Loneliness has also been implicated in premature death.
Its natural to compare yourself and your partner to these people, especially as you go through rough times.
You might become jealous or feel like you or your relationship is lacking.
But youre looking at superficial images and only the sanitized and filtered version of real life.
When one partner seems distracted by their phone, the other feels less valued and cared for.
Then share that you are really lonely.
Maybe you both need to make changes.
Take a Break From Social Media
Instead of texting your partner, make a phone call.
Or better yet, meet up with them for a quick drink at your favorite cafe.
Aim to focus on connecting with your partner.
Volunteer
Think about others and give back.
Hug Your Partner
Be physically affectionate.
When you hug your partner, oxytocin (often called the “cuddle hormone”) is released.
When you touch one another, youll feel a sense of closeness.
Youll also gain deeper feelings of connection, bonding, and trust.
Nurture Other Relationships
Call your buddy or spend time with your sister.
Dont forget to nurture your other important relationships.
Youll be reminded that you love others and that you yourself are loved.
Lean on this professional to guide you personally or together on ways to not feel isolated inside a relationship.
A Word From Verywell
Solitude and being alone can be a good thing.
It can help you recharge and give you time to go inward through meditation, reading or journaling .
The goal is to have a healthy relationship both with yourself and with your partner.
Cacioppo JT, Cacioppo S.The growing problem of loneliness.The Lancet.2018;391(10119):426.
Cleveland Clinic.What Happens in Your Body When You’re Lonely?.
Primack BA.Social Media Use and Perceived Social Isolation Among Young Adults in the U.S.AJPM.
2017; 53(1):1-8.
