happy and content," she says improve focus and increase confidence treats can also operate as a coping get things over the line." although many adults have conditioned themselves to be self-disciplined and inclined to deprive themselves of treats actually be counterproductive where to get help if you would like to discuss feelings of loneliness you vo-exte01z01cw lifeline lifeline.org.au • beyond blue beyondblue.org.au reachout reachout.com • relationships australia relationships.org.au "little treats can be a powerful motivator gratitude and satisfaction." maria karefilakis assumingin sign up for a new activity or group do you find it hard to connect with people? consider signing up for a class or joining a group "focus on what you enjoy your own interests as you." nick says "when you find you have something becomes much easier." rethink how you spend your spare time lamenting the fact you don't have time to meet up with friends or seek out new look at how you're choosing to spend the free time you do have "depriving yourself of rewards may result rewards acknowledge and congratulate your personal accomplishments," she says "if you do not reward yourself after and moody time can lead to a lack of self-control destructive behaviours or even addiction." resist the temptation to retreat to your sofa for a marathon netflix binge after work and make the effort to engage with others why not arrange to have dinner with colleagues instead? if you want to be around others but don't mingle with other people without feeling the pressure to be "on" download a friendship app whether you've moved to a new town have outgrown old friendships or simply want to expand your social network you can enlist the help of technology to few taps embrace small talk we encounter different people all grabbing coffee at a cafe or meeting a new to chat and build up your interactions throughout the day this is where learning the art of small gateway to more meaningful conversations and relationships." amelia says the house of wellness learn to genuinely listen and show interest in what others are saying and you could discover an unexpected connection challenge yourself the next time you're spot the opportunities most of us are so busy focusing on what we need to do or where we need to be that we're missing opportunities for connection with those around us ↓ nick says creating opportunities can often assist with ending loneliness "whether it be in our personal lives or have the opportunity to connect with those around them," he says the time and mindset that means you can connect with those around you "stopping to chat with your neighbours significant benefits." get involved within the community "becoming a volunteer in your community is a great way to connect with others without putting pressure on yourself to be too socially engaging." amelia says research various organisations in your area that accept volunteers and you could do something meaningful for the community while also giving yourself the opportunity to connect with others seek support loneliness is not something you acknowledge that you're lonely and confide in someone you trust about your feelings if loneliness feels like it's becoming counsellors and other mental health maria suggests sticking to delayed gratification as much as possible to avoid overindulging in self-rewarding "putting off a reward until later might make you enjoy the process more than just persistence," she says your brain to perform better because it subconsciously knows a treat will follow "if you treat yourself every time you go begin to look forward to it because your brain understands that this activity will be rewarded with something that makes you feel good - so over time a morning workout will become something you are inspired to accomplish," maria says university of the sunshine coast psychology senior lecturer dr rachael are motivated by personal satisfaction or at work intrinsic motivation to complete a task or can have the counterproductive effect of undermining the development of intrinsic motivation so are best used sparingly appreciation can be very helpful in keeping people moving forward
