Help for Loneliness

What is loneliness?

Loneliness occurs when the connections a person needs in life are greater than the connections they have. When a person feels that the do not have meaningful or close relationships or a sense of belonging, that is loneliness. Because it’s so subjective, not everyone feels loneliness the same way or for the same reason.

How does loneliness impact your health and happiness?

Loneliness activates a sensation of threat within our bodies. This increases the hormone cortisol which ​can cause inflammation and can ultimately lead to disease and death.​Feeling lonely is not something to be embarrassed about or ashamed of. We all feel lonely at times, regardless of our age, life experiences, or background.

Are you lonely?

Recognition and awareness are important first steps to escaping loneliness. This short survey will ask you questions that will help you evaluate if you could be experiencing loneliness. Even if you are not currently experiencing loneliness, taking the survey could be helpful to you and for those you care about. ​​ Take the Loneliness Survey

How can you cope?

Doctors, therapists and researchers have developed some great strategies to help with loneliness. Sociologists have also identified the ingredients that need to be in place for us to make friends organically. Continuous unplanned interactions and shared vulnerability are key. Even simple things like smiling can raise the happiness hormones in your body!

Where to Start?

​ Suggestions from workshop participants We spent a year holding workshops at various locations for clubs, organizations, senior centers, etc. At the end of each workshop we asked each participant to answer some questions about the ways they may have experienced loneliness and social isolation. These are the results.