Now that you’re older and your kids are grown and busy with their own lives, are you starting to feel a bit lonely? It is not uncommon for seniors to experience bouts of loneliness from time to time. Few people, in fact, escape loneliness, no matter what their age. Usually the feeling will resolve in time, but if that has not happened to you, here are some constructive tips for dealing with it.

Reach out to someone. It could be a family member, friend or an acquaintance. It could even be someone you don’t know. There are a variety of places on the Internet from chat rooms to forums to video games where you can meet others and engage in discussion.

Volunteer at a local organization. Many organizations would not survive without the assistance of their volunteers. Find out what organizations in your area could use some help and sign up. You will get out of your shell and meet new people while helping others.

Participate in an activity relating to one of your hobbies. You don’t have to sit at home all day and quilt. You can join a quilting circle and converse with others while you work. You will find a number of clubs pertaining to a wide range of hobbies.

Enroll in a class. You can pursue your education further at home, but you don’t have to. You can sign up for a class at a local community college or elsewhere and receive training in a group setting, giving you ample opportunity to meet others.

Put yourself in new situations where you will meet new people. Join an organization, get a part-time job or attend a neighborhood gathering. Get out there and engage with others.

These are just a few ways to combat your loneliness. If they don’t work and you need more help, consider joining a support group where you can explore your feelings of loneliness and the roots behind it. You may discover that you are not as comfortable being by yourself as you could be.