Article: Even if there are visiting hours provided on the website, etc., the person you are wanting to see may not be well enough to see anyone at the time. This is absolutely vital; non-visiting hours are used mainly for ensuring sufficient recuperation for the patients, so that they get well quickly. You can't be sure whether or not a medical procedure is taking place or if the patient is sleeping. The patient is likely to tire easily but may be too polite to ask you to leave. Also remember that you're not likely to be the only visitor and having many visitors can be tiring. If the patient wants you to know, he or she will tell you. Otherwise, this can seem too personal and very invasive of the patient's privacy. Instead of flowers or candy, consider purchasing a gift card to the patient's favorite store. A post-surgery patient usually can't eat for several days, so candy isn't a very tactful gift. Hospital rooms are small; there may not be room for flowers and they are usually a nuisance when the patient is ready to go home. If visiting a co-worker, refrain from mentioning the latest round of budget cuts or layoffs. If there is any bad news from the home or work front, try your best to not relay it unless you think that it is absolutely essential. It is best for the patient to be relieved of bad news until they're well enough to cope again. Days are very long at the hospital, and a patient can quickly feel isolated and out of touch. Most patients value their privacy and may not want to be seen hooked up to machines and drainage tubes. Moreover, if they feel really ill, they're genuinely not up to receiving visitors.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Call first to make sure visitors are allowed. Observe the hospital's visiting hours. If the patient's door is closed, knock and wait for permission to enter. Keep your visit brief. Don't ask about any surgical or test results. Bring a gift card. Stay positive. Assure the patient that he or she is missed at work, school, church, or social groups. Don't be hurt if you are asked not to visit.
Article: Before you can start getting rid of your loneliness, you need to determine what it is exactly that is making you feel lonely. Do you miss a certain person, or a particular place? Do you generally just feel like you don't have many friends, or that the friends you do have aren't close to you? Determining why you're lonely may give you a solution for your problem right away - not everyone can tell where their feelings of loneliness originate. If you're missing a particular person or place that you can't visit, much of your problem-solving will need to be introspective. If you are desirous of more friends or feel isolated, than your solution will more likely be to get out and meet new people. Try journaling if you're not sure why you feel lonely. Be as specific as possible. Don't be embarrassed at the cause(s) of your loneliness. It is a perfectly normal feeling that everyone struggles with at one time or another. Before you make any other changes, you should look to your own health for indicators of causes for loneliness. Oftentimes lack of sleep, exercise, and healthy foods can leave you feeling lethargic and depressed, leading to loneliness over time. Spend a week making positive changes to your health; aim to get eight hours of sleep every night, try to fit in at least 30 minutes of physical activity, and cut out junk food/incorporate more fruits and vegetables into your diet. If nothing else, doing these things will give you more energy and reduce stress, which overall impacts your positive outlook and feelings of happiness. Studies have shown that poor sleep and lack of physical activity are correlated to feelings of loneliness. Certain foods - particularly fruits and vegetables - contain hormones that increase happiness. It's easy to become overwhelmed by isolation or a massive 'to-do' list, and not only run out of time in your life for people but also for your favorite activities. It's much more difficult to feel lonely if you're actively enjoying an activity, especially one that you have some skill or practice with. If you've got a hobby that you love or are interested in, set aside some time each day to work on starting it up (again). Whenever you are hit with those pangs of loneliness, make a conscious effort to go spend time on your hobby. Some new hobby ideas might include: Reading regularly Playing a sport Going hiking Taking up knitting or crocheting Learning to cook, or trying new recipes Painting Gardening On a similar tangent to picking up a hobby, working on a large project can be a great way to distract yourself from present feelings of loneliness, and to help give yourself purpose when all you might want to do is curl up in bed. What counts as a 'big' project will vary from person to person; for one individual, it might mean painting the interior of their house. For another, it might mean starting a new degree or set of classes through an online university. Whatever your 'big' project is, set daily or weekly goals so that you have something to focus your hard work on. You won't have time to feel lonely, with all the dedication you'll be pouring into your project. Some big project ideas might include: Learning a new language Writing your own book Building a large piece of furniture Learning a new instrument Building a car or motorcycle from parts Starting a small business Starting (or finishing) a degree The great outdoors has been a healing power for millions of people over the years. And while it might sound counter-intuitive to get over your loneliness by going outside alone, your time spent in nature will likely improve your emotional state and banish those feelings of loneliness. Sunshine helps increase endorphins in your system, making you feel happier and less focused on your loneliness. Plus, exploring new places, getting your blood pumping, and seeing your natural local will all change your focus and balance your mental state. Look for good hikes in your area, or simply explore a new park. Try going kayaking or on a bike ride, if you're not interested in just walking around.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Get your emotions in order. Focus on your health. Bring an old hobby back to life. Start a big project. Spend more time outside.