7 Ways To Reduce Loneliness, From Psychological Research

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.)

1. The Best Way To Overcome Loneliness Is By Changing Expectations
2. The Warm Emotion That Reduces Loneliness
3. A Strong Sense Of Purpose Protects Against Loneliness
4. How The State Of ‘Flow’ Helps Reduce Loneliness
5. The Rituals That Reduce Loneliness
6. These Online Classes Fight Loneliness
7. The Fun Ways To Reduce Loneliness

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Author: Dr Jeremy Dean

Psychologist, Jeremy Dean, PhD is the founder and author of PsyBlog. He holds a doctorate in psychology from University College London and two other advanced degrees in psychology. He has been writing about scientific research on PsyBlog since 2004. View all posts by Dr Jeremy Dean