Chaplains' Corner: Coping with Loneliness Published Sept. 29, 2014 By Ch, (Maj.) Kyle Hundley 628th Airbase Wing Chaplains Office JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. -- Virtually everyone experiences loneliness from time to time, with many people becoming especially aware of feelings of loneliness around holiday seasons and times of extreme stress. While the number of people who experience loneliness is quite large, people don't always talk about feelings of loneliness, and don't always know how to cope with these feelings. Other than being emotionally painful, loneliness can also cause physical symptoms and even depression. How can we cope? A few things we can do are: join a class, volunteer, pray, find support online, strengthen existing relationships, adopt a pet, seek therapy or spiritual support, among many others. Whatever you do to combat loneliness, know that you are truly not alone, many others around you are facing the same struggle, and there are many things you can do to feel more connected.