top of page
Search

A Psychologist's Guide to Surviving The Loneliness Epidemic

If you feel like you're going through life without ever really connecting with anyone, I need you to know something: You can have friends, family, even a romantic partner and still feel like something is missing. That’s not your fault. And more importantly, there are things you can do about it.


The loneliness epidemic is reaching catastrophic levels in our digital world. Technology offers convenient substitutions for real human interaction but fails to activate crucial regions of our brains. As a result, many people feel profoundly alone despite having social connections.


The Difference Between Being Alone and Feeling Lonely


Being alone isn't inherently bad. In fact, it can be a relief. I’m alone right now while writing this, and after a full day of work, I’m fine with that. But loneliness is something else. It’s not about the number of people in your life; it’s about the sense of connection you do—or don’t—feel with them.


And right now, loneliness is rising fast. It’s not just a bad feeling; it’s affecting your health, your brains, your ability to function. And unless you start being intentional about it, it’s only going to get worse.


How We Got Here


Technology, convenience, and changing work dynamics have made it easier than ever to go through life without meaningful human contact. We can work from home, get food delivered, and entertain ourselves endlessly without leaving the house. Even our social lives have digital substitutes—parasocial relationships with online creators, AI companions, group chats that never translate into real-life plans. These things aren’t bad in themselves, but they can trick us into thinking we’re socially fulfilled when, in reality, our brains are starving for real human interaction.


What You Can Do About It


This isn’t about making drastic changes overnight. It’s about small, sustainable shifts. First, use technology to supplement your relationships, not replace them. Texting is fine. Video calls are great. But if all your connections exist behind a screen, you're missing something essential. In-person interaction activates parts of your brain that digital conversations simply don’t. That matters more than you think.


Start small. Try to have at least one real-world interaction per week, even if it’s just a casual chat with a barista or a neighbor. If that feels like too much, begin by putting yourself in spaces where people are—coffee shops, bookstores, parks. You don’t have to talk to anyone. Just being around others helps.


If it’s been a while since you’ve had deeper conversations, it might feel awkward at first. That’s okay. You're out of practice. Social skills, like muscles, get weak when we don’t use them. But they come back with time.


Loneliness isn’t something you just “snap out of.” But it is something you can work on. The world is pushing us toward isolation—whether through technology, work demands, or just the general difficulty of adult friendships. But that doesn’t mean we have to accept it.

Put in the effort, even when it feels unnatural. Say yes to invitations. Reach out first. Choose the in-person option when you can. Your brain, your heart, and your future self will thank you for it.


The video below reveals practical strategies to survive increasing social disconnection. Learn simple daily habits that combat isolation and protect your mental health in our increasingly detached society.



-Scott

 

Want practical tools for navigating life with depression and anxiety, delivered right to you every week?

 

Resources. 


 

My Books


 


Comments

bottom of page