Even though it's possible to pick up your smartphone and text your friends or hop on social media to connect with your family, feelings of loneliness can still creep in and be persistent. The good news is that you can combat loneliness, and there are some great daily activities that can help you cope with it.
From helping you enjoy your time in the kitchen to listening to your favorite podcast, there are plenty of ways your devices can help out when you're feeling lonely. Try these tips to help relieve loneliness and find positivity.
1. Take a Walk With Your Dog With DogLog
When you can't spend time with humans, why not spend some quality time with your furry friend? Walking is an easy exercise and a great way for both you and your dog to stay healthy. Besides, having a companion to walk along with you can help reduce loneliness.
DogLog is an essential app for dog owners. It's the perfect tool to keep track of and log your dog's daily events, such as walks, sleep, grooming, food, training, and bathroom visits. Easily set reminders on the app to encourage you to take a stroll or to schedule a play date for your pooch.
Download: DogLog for iOS | Android (Free, subscription available)
2. Bake a Treat With Dessert Recipes
When you're feeling isolated, why not bake yourself a sweet treat to feel a little less lonely? There is no need for a special occasion. Simply find something delicious on the Dessert Recipes app and give it a go. Then, you can even share it with roommates, neighbors, friends, or volunteer at a bake sale.
This dessert app is bursting with recipes, from ice cream and pudding to cake and muffins. Use the filter to find recipes that include or exclude certain ingredients, for instance, if you have an allergy. You can also filter your search based on your dietary needs to find the recipes that suit you best.
Download: Dessert Recipes for Android (Free, in-app purchases available)
3. Clean Your Space With Tody
Cleaning your living space can be a productive activity to take your mind off your worries and help you focus on something positive when you're feeling especially lonely. Use the awesome Tody app to clean up your home, take full control of your tasks, and turn it into a fun game.
The app is simple to use: all you have to do is add new cleaning areas (inside or outside) and then add cleaning tasks to each one. From there you can adjust the frequency of the tasks and set their current state of cleanliness. Tap on tasks as you finish them to earn points and complete challenges.
Download: Tody for iOS ($6.99) | Android (Free, in-app purchases available)
4. Take Yourself Out on a Date With Tripadvisor
Don't wait on someone else to take you out, take yourself out on a solo date–it's just as fun! To find the perfect destination for your date, use the Tripadvisor app. The app makes it super simple to explore your surroundings, whether you want to treat yourself to a romantic dinner or do a fun activity that you've never tried before.
By turning on your location settings you can see what's good nearby and then filter your search by price, cuisine, ratings, and much more. When your solo date is over, make sure to leave a review and a couple of photos.
Download: Tripadvisor for iOS | Android (Free)
5. Call a Friend on Zoom
Sometimes when you are feeling lonely, the only thing that will make you feel better is a quick chat with a loved one. No, Zoom isn't only for work video meetings—you can also use the app to stay in touch with your friends or family. To get started using Zoom, sign up, create a new meeting, and add your chosen participants. You can also share your Personal Meeting ID with your loved ones to join a meeting created by someone else.
Download: Zoom for iOS | Android (Free, subscription available)
6. Try a Virtual or In-Person Meetup
When you struggle to socialize, loneliness can come creeping in. Fortunately, the Meetup app can help you connect with like-minded people who share the same interests as you. Start by selecting a few categories that interest you, such as dancing, games, sports and fitness, and technology.
The app then recommends groups and events close by that you'll enjoy based on your selections. Furthermore, you can even organize your own custom events. The best bit is that many of the events are hosted online, so you can meet others from the comfort of your home.
Download: Meetup for iOS | Android (Free, subscription available)
7. Listen to a Podcast or Audiobook on Spotify
One of the best music apps around is Spotify, but you can use it to listen to your favorite audiobooks and podcasts, too. With such a lot of options on the app, you're sure to find something that you love. For instance, there are tons of true-crime podcasts that bring the same energy and fascinating twists from your favorite TV shows to an audio-only format.
Additionally, you can even save and download your favorite podcasts and audiobooks or share them with others. There are some comforting mental health podcasts on Spotify that can help boost your mood and make you feel less lonely, too.
Download: Spotify for iOS | Android (Free, subscription available)
8. Practice Gratitude Using 365 Gratitude Journal
To get rid of negative feelings, like loneliness, try focusing on what you're thankful for in your life. 365 Gratitude Journal is the ultimate gratitude journaling app that is charming and easy-to-use, yet still detailed and organized.
The app features a Gratitude Jar that gives you prompts when you've run out of ideas. Just pick a topic and a different prompt pops up. In addition, you can browse through various courses, try out meditations, and explore different journals. If you're still feeling lonely, you can connect with members of the global community.
Download: 365 Gratitude Journal for iOS | Android (Free, subscription available)
9. Spend Time Outside in Nature With Seek
The good thing about spending time outside is that you can improve your mental health and fight loneliness as well. Learn more about the beautiful world around you by simply snapping a photo with your smartphone and letting the Seek app do the rest.
Using this wonderful app, you can learn about all living things, from plants and fungi to reptiles, birds, and insects. Take part in fun monthly challenges to earn various badges. Moreover, you can also collect badges by observing and capturing pictures of different species.
Download: Seek for iOS | Android (Free)
Download These Apps to Fight the Feeling of Loneliness
It's totally normal to feel lonely from time to time. That's why it's a good idea to have some enjoyable activities lined up to ensure that the feeling doesn't become overwhelming. When you're sick of spending hours watching TV, it's time to try something new. Whether you decide to head outside into nature or take yourself on a fun date, all you need is a willingness to explore and these mobile apps.