No matter who you are, you’ve probably experienced the depths of loneliness at some point in your life. It’s no wonder that loneliness can be an unhappy feeling, because most people enjoy other people’s company, and feeling connected with those who are important in our lives. What is loneliness? How come I feel lonely even when I’m around others? We hope you’ll find the answer to these kinds of questions in our loneliness library below.
While everybody experiences loneliness, it’s not something you have to live with forever. It’s okay to be lonely, and the healthiest people learn that life will sometimes make us feel isolated — but that’s okay too from time to time. Instead of fearing loneliness, you should learn to embrace it when it occurs.
We’ve compiled this library of articles on loneliness to help you better understand this human condition and emotion. You may want to start off with our Loneliness Quiz to help you understand exactly how lonely you’re feeling right now.
Coping with Loneliness
5 Habits That Can Relieve Loneliness
By Gretchen Rubin
Are You Lonely?
By Mary Ellen Copeland, Ph.D.
4 Disorders that May Thrive on Loneliness
By Kira Asatryan
Surprising Differences Between Lonely Women and Lonely Men
By Kira Asatryan
The Roots of Loneliness
By Marie Hartwell-Walker, Ed.D.
Being Alone Without Being Lonely
By Ben Martin, Psy.D.
Sad or Lonely? Losing Your Concentration or Memory?
By John M. Grohol, Psy.D.
The Dark Side of Loneliness
By Darlene Lancer, JD, MFT
Single By Choice and Not Lonely
By Suzanne Phillips, Psy.D., ABPP
Loneliness Has an Antidote and You’ll Never Guess What It Is
By Kira Asatryan
How Not To Feel Lonely When You’re Alone
By Margarita Tartakovsky, MS
Lonelienss Within a Marriage
By Samantha Rodman, Ph.D.
Why Alone is Not the Same as Lonely
By Bella DePaulo, Ph.D.
10 More Ideas to Help with Loneliness
By Brock Hansen
The Link Between Introversion and Loneliness
By Kira Asatryan
Loneliness rooted in relational trauma
By Rev. Sheri Heller, LCSW
Lonely Teens May Respond to Social Events with Self-Defeating Thoughts
By Traci Pedersen
Holiday Coping with Loneliness
Coping with Loneliness During the Holidays
By Margarita Tartakovsky, MS
How to Cope with Loneliness and Grief This Holiday Season
By Sharon Martin, LCSW
Why Loneliness is Worse Around the Holidays
By Christine Hammond, MS, LMHC
10 Things to Do If You’re Alone for the Holidays
By Laurie Stoneham
Loneliness & Seniors
Coping with Loneliness: Tips for Seniors
By Lynn Ponton, MD
How Loneliness Affects the Elderly
By Patrick W. Dunne