Evidence

Structured recall and narration of your life story in weekly sessions: one way to carry out what the loneliness-intervention reviews studied; Yang 2025 reports reminiscence therapy reduced loneliness in older adults, with group formats more effective than individual.

A guided practice of directing warm intentions toward yourself and others: one way to carry out what the compassion sources studied; Petrovic 2024 reports loving-kindness programs had positive effects relative to passive controls, with effects non-significant against active controls and alternative treatments.

Regular journaling on meaningful moments and sources of meaning: one way to carry out what the meaning-intervention trials studied; Manco 2021 reports several interventions, including brief ones, increase meaning in life, and Ivandić 2017 found no evidence of effectiveness for brief workplace formats.

Guided mindfulness meditation most days: one way to carry out what the meditation meta-analyses studied; Goyal 2014 reports moderate evidence of improved anxiety and depression, and Lao 2016 that short-term training did not improve attention or executive function.

Sitting quietly in a natural setting with open attention: one way to carry out what the nature-exposure sources studied; Yao 2021 reports natural environments increased positive and decreased negative affect, Choe 2020 that mindfulness-based stress reduction outdoors had greater outcomes than indoors, and Harries 2025 that restorative prompting raised state well-being.

Guided reflective writing on what gives life direction: one way to carry out what the meaning-intervention trials studied; Manco 2021 reports an effect of SMD 0.85 against passive control and 0.32 against active control, and Vos 2015 large effects of meaning therapies on positive meaning.