What Happens in the Brain When You’re Lonely

What Happens in the Brain When You’re Lonely: A Closer Look

Loneliness can be defined as a bodily function, much like hunger or thirst; when you spend a long time alone, your body triggers feelings of loneliness to alert you that you need to connect with others and engage socially in order to live and thrive. It’s human nature to seek out new cultures and connect with others to develop both individual and social skills.

You might be wondering: What actually happens in the brain when you’re lonely?

The brain responds to stress and tension differently when you’re alone. Imagine the impact of loneliness on the brain as similar to physical pain—like being wounded or struck. The brain actually functions more efficiently and effectively when engaging with others and sharing mutual trust and emotional support.

Loneliness can exhaust your brain, increasing the release of stress and anxiety hormones. As a result, your body reacts more strongly to stress than it would if you were surrounded by positive, supportive people. For example, if you’re alone and face a frightening or threatening situation, you will perceive it differently than if someone you trust is beside you, holding your hand and calming you down. In the latter case, your brain perceives the threat as less intense, leading to reduced blood flow to the parts of the brain responsible for reacting to such events—improving your behavior and response.

The Consequences of Feeling Lonely

Living in loneliness is a serious concern, especially when it becomes a chronic personality trait. Scientists have found that the risks of loneliness can be equal to or greater than the health risks of obesity or smoking 15 cigarettes a day!

Here are some of the psychological and physical effects of loneliness:

• Lonely individuals are more likely to develop psychological disorders such as depression or social anxiety.
• Increased risk of dementia and accelerated aging.
• Higher chance of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
• Cancer becomes more severe in those experiencing loneliness.
• Tendency to dwell on painful past memories, leading to ongoing psychological stress and anxiety.
• Increased risk of suicidal thoughts.

How to Overcome Loneliness

Here are some tips to help you break free from feelings of loneliness:

• Boost your self-worth: Don’t tie your value or self-image to anyone else. Avoid thinking happiness depends on one person. Try to enjoy solitude as a time for reflection and reconnecting with yourself. Also, embrace social interactions as a way to boost motivation and gratitude—toward yourself and others.
• Recognize the negative impact of loneliness: To overcome loneliness, start by acknowledging its emotional and physical harm. Remember, loneliness doesn’t necessarily mean lacking people around—it’s a feeling that stems from within, often for reasons you’re already aware of.
• Volunteer in charitable activities: Volunteering helps break loneliness and boosts happiness by doing good for others without expecting anything in return.
• Read regularly: Set aside part of your day for reading. It develops your skills and opens the door to a wonderful world of meaningful stories and experiences.