Loneliness and Your Health

Loneliness is the feeling of being isolated, or alone. It comes from a gap between the relationships you have and the ones you need or want. It can come from a lack of close, personal connections with other people. Or it can come from not having enough regular social contact with others.

Loneliness can cause higher amounts of stress hormones in your body. This can have negative physical effects on your body. It can make it difficult for you to sleep well, think clearly, and avoid illness. Feeling lonely can also make it feel hard to take care of your health, or to get help when you're having problems.

If you're lonely for a long time, your risk for certain health conditions may increase. These conditions can include depression, heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and dementia.

Taking steps to reduce loneliness

It might seem overwhelming to think about how to find ways to be social or make more meaningful connections. But taking small steps can make a big difference. Here are some ideas to think about:

• Try volunteering
• Consider a meet-up group
• Think about getting a pet
• Shift negative thinking
• Consider seeing a counselor or other mental health professional

It can be hard to make changes in your habits or thinking on your own. And it can be scary to think about putting yourself "out there" in social situations. In some cases, loneliness may be part of a mental health condition, such as depression. If you feel like you need some support getting started, or if loneliness is making it hard for you to function, a counselor or other mental health professional can help.

Choose.kp.org/shbp

Related to: 

• Mental Health