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Coping with Loneliness

Revital Ordan, psychiatric nurse, Director of the Ambulatory Array, Mental Health Division, Ministry of Health
2 February 2026

Loneliness is not easy to deal with, but there are a few steps you can take to ease the loneliness and the difficult feelings it brings with it. It is important to progress gradually and not give up even if you experience failure.

Steps can include:

  • Strengthening existing social connections, for example by creating regular meetings and conversations.
  • Creating new connections, for example through volunteering or taking classes.
  • Maintaining a healthy routine, for example by adhering to a daily schedule, a balanced diet, and physical activity.

When loneliness lasts for a long time and affects daily functioning, it is recommended to seek professional help from a primary physician, a social worker, or with the help of the mental health arrays of the HMOs.

Loneliness is a feeling that can occur at any age and at any stage of life. Although dealing with loneliness may seem challenging, there are practical and effective ways to alleviate the difficult feelings it brings with it and improve the quality of life. Coping sometimes requires patience and creativity, and it is important to remember that each person is unique – what suits one person will not necessarily suit another. The first step, even if it is small, is the most important.

Recommendations for dealing with loneliness

The first step can be to strengthen the social connections you already have, sharing feelings and talking with someone you know. There are several ways to do this:

  • Initiate a phone call with a friend.
  • Suggest to a family member to schedule a regular meeting.
  • Reconnect with friends from the past.
  • Share your feelings with a loved one.

Small steps can help you meet people or enter new social circles, for example:

  • Join a new class that interests you or a group of people with a common hobby (also online).
  • Volunteer for an organization or association that is close to your heart.
  • Participate in community or volunteer activities in your area.
  • Register for a course or workshop on a topic that interests you.

Maintaining a routine can be very helpful. It is worth setting regular wake-up and bedtime times, making sure to eat regularly, and getting out of the house on a regular basis, even if it is just for a short walk around the neighborhood. Physical activity can be a significant tool in dealing with loneliness. This can be a class at a studio, a walk in the park, or a workout at the gym. Physical activity not only improves your mood, but also provides opportunities for social encounters.

Loneliness is often accompanied by negative thoughts that make it difficult to form relationships. It is worth identifying such thoughts and trying to change them – for example, instead of "No one would want to be my friend", you can think "There are people I would like to meet who would like to get to know me". It is important to remember that building social relationships is a process that takes time. There is no need to stress yourself out or expect immediate results. Every small step in the right direction is an achievement.

Try to choose enjoyable activities that will fill your time, distract you from thoughts of loneliness, and improve your mental well-being.

Interacting with an animal can certainly reduce feelings of loneliness. Caring for a pet can also help shape your daily routine, boost your self-esteem, and maintain social engagement. For example, walking your dog can become an opportunity to make new connections.

When to seek help

It can be difficult to know when loneliness becomes something that requires professional attention. You may want to consider seeking mental health support when feelings of loneliness:

  • Last for a long time and do not improve even in the company of other people.
  • Affect daily functioning.
  • Cause avoidance of social gatherings.
  • Are accompanied by persistent feelings of depression or anxiety.
  • Affect sleep, appetite, or concentration.

Seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. It is a courageous and responsible decision that reflects a desire to take care of yourself and your quality of life.

Who can I contact?

There are a variety of services and frameworks that can help with coping with loneliness:

  • A primary care physician can be the first point of contact and can also refer you to the appropriate professional. They usually know you from previous encounters, which may make it easier to share your feelings.
  • A social worker at your HMO or local welfare office can provide treatment, guidance, and support, help you exercise your rights, and refer you to suitable community-based services such as senior day centers, classes, activities at community centers, and more.
  • A variety of mental healthcare services are available to you.

Coping with loneliness can be challenging, mainly due to the emotional experience or the physical reality of being alone. Because loneliness often creates a self-perpetuating cycle that intensifies isolation and social disconnection, the first step outside this cycle is the most difficult and meaningful one.

It is important to remember that there are people and services around you who are here to help, and that it is never too late to seek support. You can and should start with small steps—for example, choosing one recommendation listed here that feels right for you (even if it does not initially involve another person) and trying to implement it.

Keep in mind that there may be setbacks and fears along the way, but in order to move through the process, it is important to try to overcome these fears. You may also consider involving another trusted person or a suitable professional to accompany you. In cases of severe distress, anxiety, depression, or a significant decline in functioning, you should contact your primary care physician as soon as possible for consultation and treatment.

How to help a loved one who is struggling with loneliness

Sometimes it is hard to know how to help someone close to you who is struggling with loneliness. Here are some ways to help:

  • Just listen
  • Open conversation
  • Stay in touch
  • Shared activity
  • Be there and listen: Sometimes the most important thing is to simply be there and listen. There is no need to rush to offer solutions or try to fix the situation. Just listening and being present can significantly alleviate the feeling of loneliness.
  • Make room for an open and honest conversation: You can ask "How can I help?" or "What would you like me to do?" Sometimes the person close to you just needs to know that you are there for them.
  • Maintain regular contact: You can create a regular contact routine at a specific time of the week – a weekly phone call, a regular meeting for coffee, or even a daily text message. Knowing that there is someone who thinks of you regularly can significantly reduce the feeling of loneliness.
  • Encourage joint activities: You can suggest simple joint activities, such as watching a television series together, cooking a meal together, going for a walk in the park together, visiting a cafe and more.

It is important to remember

It is important to remember

Even if you want to help, it is important to maintain boundaries. You cannot and should not be the only answer to the loneliness of a loved one. Often it is possible and advisable to seek help from professionals in the field of welfare and health, at the local authority or in the community. If you have noticed that someone close to you has shown signs that require professional attention, it is worth gently encouraging them to seek help.

Assisted in writing the article: Lior Guri, MA student in Psychology, Mental Healt Division, Ministry of Health