Loneliness, or the feeling of sadness that comes with feeling isolated and disconnected, affects us all. Nonetheless, many people share that they feel loneliness is on the rise, both for themselves and their loved ones. Loneliness is associated with poorer mental and physical health outcomes, and makes it harder to do the things we know will help us feel better. Unfortunately, feeling lonely may drive us to act in a way that makes us even lonelier – avoiding events or opportunities to meet people, lacking the motivation to clean our house and then not inviting over visitors, not keeping up with our mental and physical healthcare, etc. Rather than letting loneliness win and drive you into social isolation, here are some ways that you can fight this heavy feeling:

Companionship – Yes, I know it’s obvious, but maybe you can approach it in a new way. You can find classic in-person companionship through joining a class, exercise group, volunteering opportunity, or friendship meetup. You can also reduce loneliness by spending times with furry companions! You could spend time with your own pets, spend an afternoon entertaining adoptable pets at a shelter, or even ask a friend if you can take their dog for a walk.  

Digital – While online social support is not sufficient, it is still support! It’s okay to supplement your in-person socializing and attempts to build community with support from online loved ones. Sometimes that looks like an online group of people who have similar interests or shared experiences, or maybe you can reconnect with friends from long ago who moved away. Connection can still be meaningful when it’s online.

Laughter – Studies show that laughter, while not necessarily a cure for loneliness, can improve mood and decrease the overall distress associated with feelings of loneliness. So whether that means throwing on a beloved comedy special, watching funny pet videos, or calling up your friend who you swear should do standup, laughter can be an incredible mood booster.

Mindfulness – Ideally, regular mindfulness practice would allow you to be more present with yourself when you’re alone, AND be more present with others when you can be. Sometimes we may be feeling lonely, but it’s not necessarily because we’re alone. Take the time to notice within yourself what you’re really craving. Are you missing deep, vulnerable conversations? Are you wanting someone to laugh with? Knowing what your needs are will help you to meet them in meaningful ways, rather than spending time with others but still feeling lonely at the end of the day.

Hansen, T., Nes, R.B., Hynek, K. et al. Tackling social disconnection: an umbrella review of RCT-based interventions targeting social isolation and loneliness. BMC Public Health 24, 1917 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-19396-8

Öztürk, F., Bayraktar, E.P., Tezel, A. The effect of laughter yoga on loneliness, psychological resilience, and quality of life in older adults: A pilot randomized controlled trial, Geriatric Nursing 50 (2023)Pages 208-214. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gerinurse.2023.01.009

Rohde, N., D’Ambrosio, C., Tang, K.K. et al. Estimating the Mental Health Effects of Social Isolation. Applied Research Quality Life 11, 853–869 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11482-015-9401-3

Stickley, A., Shirama, A., Yamada, R., Wada, A., & Sumiyoshi, T. (2025). Loneliness, laughter, and mental health in the Japanese general population: findings from a cross-sectional study. Psychology, Health & Medicine, 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1080/13548506.2025.2575403