Loneliness Is a Public Health Emergency. Here's What Helps, According to Experts

“I think most people recognize that it impacts our emotional well-being, and maybe even our mental health, but very few people recognize the profound effects that it has on our neurobiology, which influences our long-term health,” says Holt-Lunstad.

It’s also important to remember that loneliness is part of being human, “a biological drive…that motivates us to reconnect socially,” and not something to be ashamed about, says Holt-Lunstad. In the short term, she suggests getting busy to distract yourself and enrich your life—like getting out in nature, taking up a creative hobby, or meditating. She also emphasizes nurturing existing relationships, including with people you might overlook. In a study she conducted during the pandemic, Holt-Lunstad found that people became less lonely after doing small acts of kindness for their neighbor, such as walking their dog or taking out their trash.

“For someone who might be feeling lonely, they don’t need to wait for someone else to contact them or do nice things for them— they can take the initiative,” says Holt-Lunstad. “One of the ways that we can help ourselves is to help others.”

Read the full article on TIME Magazine.