We all feel lonely from time to time. I know I have in the past and more recently too. Feelings of loneliness are personal, so everyone’s experience of loneliness will be different.
One common description of loneliness is the feeling we get when our need for rewarding social contact and relationships is not met, it can be like a physical pain affecting our focus, our decision making and even our health. But loneliness is not always the same as being alone.
You may choose to be alone and live happily without much contact with other people, while others may find this a lonely experience.
Or you may have lots of social contact, or be in a relationship or part of a family, and still feel lonely – especially if you don’t feel understood or cared for by the people around you
Learn more about loneliness and what you can do about it in this recent episode.