Loneliness makes people more abrasive and defensive as a form of self-preservation — it may be why lonely people can get marginalised.
Loneliness has reached epidemic proportions, according to some reports (although, not everyone agrees).
Over one-third of US adults over 45 report feeling lonely and among those over 65, one-quarter feel socially isolated.
Social isolation is a risk factor for all sorts of serious health issues and with the pandemic and its aftermath, loneliness is more of a problem than ever.
Feeling isolated and lonely has the same detrimental effect on health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day, it has been estimated.
Loneliness and social isolation are just as threatening to health, if not more so, than obesity.
Loneliness also makes people more abrasive and defensive as a form of self-preservation — it may be why lonely people can get marginalised.
Fighting loneliness
So, below are 7 psychology studies mostly from the members-only section of PsyBlog that explain how research has found loneliness can be reversed.
(If you are not already, find out how to become a PsyBlog member here.)
- The Best Way To Overcome Loneliness Is By Changing Expectations
- The Warm Emotion That Reduces Loneliness
- A Strong Sense Of Purpose Protects Against Loneliness
- How The State Of ‘Flow’ Helps Reduce Loneliness
- The Rituals That Reduce Loneliness
- These Online Classes Fight Loneliness
- The Fun Ways To Reduce Loneliness
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