Latest news with #LonelinessAwarenessWeek
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
6 surprising signs you're lonely according to experts
Loneliness is a deeply personal experience that can affect anyone, often in ways we don't immediately recognise. While it's easy to associate it with being physically alone, the reality is far more nuanced. Loneliness can be emotional, social, or even existential, manifesting through feelings of disconnection, emptiness, or being misunderstood, even when surrounded by others. As Loneliness Awareness Week (9–15 June) reminds us, this feeling is not a personal failure or weakness; it's a natural part of life that most people experience at some point. According to the Campaign to End Loneliness, in 2022, nearly half (49.63%) of adults in the UK – approximately 26 million people – reported feeling lonely at least occasionally, with some saying they felt lonely often or always. But loneliness doesn't always show up in obvious ways. Yahoo UK spoke to two experts to unpack the lesser-known signs and offer advice on what you can do if you're struggling. Relationship expert and British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy-accredited counsellor, Georgina Sturmer tells Yahoo UK: "When we feel lonely, it can be tempting to fill our diary with as much as possible or surround ourselves with people all the time. But the problem is that when we feel lonely, what we really crave is not the company of lots of others but a real sense of connection." Sturmer says that it is possible to feel lonely in a crowded room, to which Ruth Lowe, the head of loneliness services at the charity Age UK, agrees. She adds that the key to tackling this feeling is forming meaningful relationships. "If you're out with lots of people, but you don't actually feel connected to them or like they care about you, or you don't have any meaningful connection there, then you can feel even lonelier," she explains. Lowe says that loneliness can also result in people declining social invitations. "Somebody declining invites and not engaging in things they used to might think, 'Maybe I'm declining these things because I don't want to go anymore.' But it could be that you are feeling lonely and you are struggling with your confidence," she continues. "Loneliness can bring up a lot of negative thoughts and feelings. People might actually start to feel nervous about going to things and start thinking, 'Does anybody actually want me there?' Because it impacts your self-worth." Lowe says that loneliness can result in you feeling angrier or more emotional than usual. "You might find that things are continuing to go round in your head, and maybe you're overthinking things. You might experience moods that make you behave or act in ways that you don't usually," she explains. "Loneliness isn't a mental health condition, but it is closely linked to our mental health and our mental wellbeing." Loneliness also might inhibit you from taking time off work, or it might drive you to say 'yes' to extra projects, even if you're already feeling stressed. "Work might be full of pressure and deadlines, but it often offers us a certain level of structure and an opportunity to escape from other worries," Sturmer explains. The counsellor says you may also experience "free time anxiety," explaining that in a society that prizes friendship, spending time alone can make you feel like a failure. 2.1 million older people (15%) say they take less care of themselves when they're lonely, according to research by Age UK. "Loneliness can make it feel like there's no point in your existence, that you don't have a purpose. That might mean that you're struggling to make the effort and get the motivation to take care of yourself, to take care of the space that you live in," Lowe shares. This sign of loneliness is cross-generational, as Sturmer states that it can result in anyone feeling like they are "not good enough," leading to low self-esteem. "When we think about self-care – eating well, exercising, getting out in the fresh air – it's important to recognise that we are only able to look after ourselves if we feel that we deserve to do so," she says. "And then it becomes harder to prioritise ourselves and to do the things that we need to do in order to feel healthy and well." According to Sturmer, when you're in a state of loneliness, it's natural to crave connection. While people will often seek comfort online, she warns against this. "At a very surface level, it might feel that scrolling on social media delivers us a sense of connection, so we can find ourselves scrolling mindlessly through our newsfeed. However, that social media feed might actually amplify our loneliness," she says. Some people turn to drugs and alcohol to help them ignore their feelings of loneliness. Lowe explains: "Loneliness can make you feel like you've got very little self-worth, and people might try and find solace in using drugs or alcohol to try and make themselves feel better, to try and numb how they're feeling." Lowe recommends speaking to someone about your feelings, whether it be a family member, friend or a GP. "We know that talking about loneliness can be difficult. It can take a lot of courage, but the most powerful thing you can do for yourself is speak to someone and say the words out loud," she says. "1.1 million older people feel embarrassed to talk about their feelings of loneliness, and they might not feel as comfortable as younger people do to talk about their emotions and their mental health. Older people can contact Age UK for support, and there are other organisations out there for different groups of people." Lowe says it's important to take small steps to improve your situation. She advises against joining multiple groups and clubs at once, as that could be overwhelming. "Try and take small steps. It could just be something like, 'I'm going to try and reach out to a friend that I haven't spoken to for a little while. I'm going to send them a message or give them a call.' Don't put too much pressure on yourself to do too much too soon, especially if you are feeling quite down about yourself." Volunteering is a great way to expand your social circle and can help when you're experiencing any negative feelings. "Meet new people, give yourself a sense of purpose, and give yourself some routine. Having people relying on you and going to do something can really help," Lowe says. Read more about loneliness: Loneliness increases as we age, study suggests (PA Media, 3-min read) 5 ways loneliness can negatively affect your health (PA Media, 4-min read) The loneliness myth: what our shared stories of feeling alone reveal about why you can't 'fix' this very human experience (The Conversation, 15-min read)
Scotsman
12-06-2025
- General
- Scotsman
Almost half of over 50s are experiencing loneliness
Almost half of over 50s in Scotland experience loneliness some or all of the time, according to new research by Age Scotland. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The survey also highlights crippling loneliness among carers, with 41% saying they felt lonely some or all of the time. To mark Loneliness Awareness Week, the Scottish charity for older people has published On Every Street - a report which shows the extent of loneliness among older people, with figures revealing that there is at least one chronically lonely older person living on every street in the country. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Anne, 60, from Glasgow was a carer for her mum and mother-in-law over the last 10 years. Anne, 60, experienced acute loneliness as an unpaid carer to her Mum 'Being a dementia carer was very isolating. I gave up my career in financial services to be a full-time carer for my mum and moved into her house. 'It's been a very lonely journey no matter who is around you physically and my husband and I feel very broken emotionally and physically.' Alex, 71, from Motherwell, also features in the report. He said: 'I've lived on my own since I came back to Scotland. I don't have any family or friends around now. The reality is that so many people fall away from your life as you get older. And before you know it, you're on your own. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'I put the TV on in the corner, but it's really just to stop the silence.' Alex, 71, says his Friendship Call from Age Scotland helps him feel less lonely The charity believes that if Scotland is to meet the needs of an ageing population, more investment is needed to tackle loneliness levels otherwise the health of the nation could be severely impacted. Katherine Crawford, chief executive at Age Scotland, said: 'Scotland is in the grip of an epidemic of loneliness with chronic levels of loneliness not going anywhere. 'It is heartbreaking to think that the equivalent of one older person on every street in Scotland feels lonely all or most of the time. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Our new report On Every Street lays bare the stories and people behind this shocking statistic and hears their deeply personal experiences of feeling locked out and lonely. 'Our helpline hears from people who have become lonely because they are trying to manage several contributing factors like, caring responsibilities, the rise in the cost of living or a disability. Loneliness can have a huge impact on someone's health, increasing the risk of heart disease, stroke and dementia, as well as contributing to significant mental health challenges. 'We are calling for the Scottish Government, local authorities, funders, politicians, and other partners to ramp up action and commit to renewed investment to support community groups with the resources and support they need to keep communities connected – without them the country faces a worse crisis of social isolation.'
Time of India
10-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Loneliness awareness week 2025: What is real connection and addressing the irony being 'connected' these days
It's a quiet ache. That's how it often starts. You can be sitting in a room full of people, scrolling through texts, hearing laughter down the hall—and still feel like you're not quite part of anything. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Like everyone else got a memo you missed. Like the world is happening over there, without you. This week(from 9 June to 15 June)—Loneliness Awareness Week 2025—is about that feeling. It's about naming it, sitting with it, and maybe even softening it a little. Hosted by the UK-based Marmalade Trust, and joined by partners across the globe, this campaign isn't just about stats or sympathy. It's a quiet, brave call to look inward—and reach outward. What the week looks like in 2025 Running from June 9 to 15, Loneliness Awareness Week is being celebrated through thousands of small but meaningful moments. There are no flashy parades or dramatic appeals. Instead, it's about everyday people creating room for connection in everyday places. In cities like Bristol and Manchester, cafes are introducing 'chatty tables'—spaces where strangers can sit together without needing an excuse. In workplaces, teams are holding shared lunches and inviting open conversations about mental health. Community centers are hosting bake sales, walking groups, art sessions, and even swing dancing nights—not for performance, but for presence. Loneliness is not that simple Most people hear 'loneliness' and picture someone elderly and isolated, maybe staring out a rainy window. That image has truth in it—but it's also wildly incomplete. Loneliness doesn't care how old you are, how full your calendar is, or how many people like your posts. It's not about being alone. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now It's about feeling unseen, disconnected, or misunderstood. And according to global surveys, millions of people across all ages are feeling exactly that—even if no one's saying it out loud. In fact, the loneliest demographic in many countries today? Young adults between 16 and 24. They're more digitally connected than any generation before them, yet more likely to report deep, persistent loneliness. The irony of always being 'connected' Social media promised us connection, and it delivered in some ways—but not in the ways that count. We share updates, celebrate wins, curate smiles. But vulnerability? Messiness? The kind of honesty that builds real belonging? That gets buried beneath filters and captions. It's not unusual now to see someone surrounded by 'likes' but feeling profoundly alone. Loneliness doesn't always look like silence. Sometimes, it looks like noise you can't feel part of. The hardest thing to admit Here's the thing about loneliness: most of us are too ashamed to talk about it. It sounds like failure. Like being unlovable. Like something we should have grown out of. But that's the lie. Loneliness isn't weakness—it's a signal. Just like hunger means we need food, loneliness means we need connection. Deep down, we all need to feel seen and held in some small way. Pretending otherwise only keeps us farther from each other. So what can you actually do? You don't need a grand plan. You don't need to become wildly extroverted or reinvent your life. But maybe, just maybe, you need to reach. Even a little. Start tiny. A smile at a stranger. A wave to your neighbor. A 'how are you really?' to a friend you've lost touch with. Change your spaces. Try working at a café instead of your couch. Say yes to a local event. Sit at one of the 'chatty tables' popping up across cities this week—yes, it feels awkward at first, but awkwardness is often where realness begins. Give someone else the gift of being seen. Loneliness shrinks when we show up for each other. Sometimes, the act of making someone else feel less alone makes us feel less alone too. And if it's really heavy? Say it out loud. To a friend. To a helpline. To a therapist. To yourself. Naming it loosens its grip. What this week is trying to do Across the UK and beyond, Loneliness Awareness Week is bringing people together in gentle, creative ways. There are shared lunches. Poetry readings. Office buildings are setting up 'connection corners.' There's even laughter yoga and book groups—and yes, a global map of meetups if you want to find something near you. But more than the events, this week is about this one truth: if you're feeling lonely, you are absolutely not the only one. There is nothing strange or broken about your need to belong. It's the most natural thing in the world. Because this matters—more than you think Loneliness can feel invisible, but its effects are anything but. It's linked to depression, anxiety, poor sleep, lower immunity, even heart disease. It makes us doubt ourselves. It drains joy. And yet, it's one of the most treatable struggles we face—not with medication, but with moments. Moments of connection. Real, clumsy, beautiful, human moments. So maybe this week, don't just scroll past the headlines. Reach out. Say the thing. Send the text. Start the conversation. Offer the seat. Sit with someone in their silence. Let someone sit with you in yours.
South Wales Guardian
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Guardian
Cwmaman Community Centre hosts Loneliness Awareness event
The event, 'With our hands, we connect communities', took place at Cwmaman Community Centre, Glanamman, on June 6. It was organised by Cwmaman Town Council, Pobol, Community Fridays, and Connecting Carmarthenshire. The gathering focused on bringing people together via creativity, conversation, and shared experiences, highlighting the positive impact of community engagement on reducing loneliness and improving well-being. The day featured free refreshments and lunch, creative and well-being workshops, as well as information stalls providing support to all ages. Bilingual talks and discussions, including contributions from Adferiad Recovery, Arts Care-Gofal Celf, and Military Veterans Club Cymru, explored how support connections can reduce loneliness. (Image: Stuart Ladd) (Image: Stuart Ladd) (Image: Stuart Ladd) (Image: Stuart Ladd) (Image: Stuart Ladd) (Image: Stuart Ladd) (Image: Stuart Ladd) (Image: Stuart Ladd) (Image: Stuart Ladd) Cwmaman Mayor Gordon Jones started the event at 10am, with children from Ysgol Y Bedol performing songs. This was followed by the Goldies singers. A well-being walk also took place, offering participants views of the Amman Valley. The event marked the beginning of Loneliness Awareness Week, which runs from June 9 to 15. The initiative aims to draw attention to the importance of community connections in combating loneliness and fostering mental well-being.
Scottish Sun
09-06-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Over half of Brits feel lonely at least once a month… but are ashamed to admit it, study shows
Gen Z feels lonelier than any generation—yet hides it behind screens and silence daily NOT ALONE Over half of Brits feel lonely at least once a month… but are ashamed to admit it, study shows Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) OVER half of Brits feel lonely at least once a month – but are ashamed to admit it. A poll of 2,000 adults revealed 56 per cent would rarely or never consider talking to someone else about how isolated they felt. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 The research was commissioned by audio brand, Pure Credit: SWNS Reasons for this included not wanting to burden others (37 per cent), not believing anyone else will understand (21 per cent), and not wanting to appear vulnerable (21 per cent). This may be a reflection on the strength of their support networks, as a quarter (24 per cent) described theirs as lacking – and a further 13 per cent didn't have one at all. Instead, those who feel lonely are likely to distract themselves through entertainment, such as watching TV (47 per cent), going on social media (22 per cent), or listening to the radio (19 per cent). The research was commissioned by audio brand, Pure, which is partnering with Marmalade Trust, a Bristol-based charity dedicated to raising awareness of loneliness and helping people build meaningful connections. As part of this partnership and in support of Loneliness Awareness Week, Pure will be donating 150 radios to individuals across the UK who are looking for support through a period of loneliness. Dr Lalitaa [COR], behaviouralist psychologist and expert in emotional wellbeing, commented: 'Loneliness remains a taboo subject, often shrouded in shame and stigma. 'But human connection is a basic psychological need – one that's increasingly difficult to fulfil in today's fast-paced, digital world. 'It's encouraging to see initiatives like this that provide simple, tangible comfort and help people feel part of something again.' Tara Fisher, COO from Marmalade Trust added: "Loneliness is a natural human emotion that we are all likely to experience in our lifetime. 'But there is still a stigma around loneliness, which means a significant portion of the population are reluctant to speak about these feelings to others – either because they don't feel they have anyone to talk to or are worried about doing so.' Despite these feelings of shame around loneliness, nearly eight in 10 (79 per cent) acknowledged it as a common phenomenon among the general population. Women were also found to feel lonelier than men – with only 16 per cent of women saying they never feel lonely, compared to 26 per cent of men. But perceptions about the generations most affected were not entirely accurate – with 19 per cent of all respondents believing the Silent Generation (born 1928-1945) is impacted the most by loneliness. However, Gen Zs (born 1996-2011) specifically reported feeling lonelier than any other age group, with one third feeling this way a few times a week and 11 per cent even experiencing this every single day. This compares to 19 per cent of the whole population dealing with this a few times a week and only six per cent every day. Worries about being judged (25 per cent) and dismissed (21 per cent) were also higher among Gen Zs – as were desires to socialise more (53 per cent) and make more friends (42 per cent). This compares to the 'famously lonely' Silent Generation – four in 10 of whom reported usually only going an hour maximum without speaking to someone else. A fifth of all those asked agreed on one day as the limit for not speaking to another person before feeling lonely – yet 23 per cent go this long, or longer, without talking to anyone regularly. Regionally, Londoners were most likely to report feeling lonely – with 33 per cent of those living in the capital saying they feel lonely at least a few times a week. Nearly four in 10 (39 per cent) of all respondents also claimed to feel lonelier now than they did five years ago, primarily because it's now harder to meet people. Other reasons included changes in personal relationships (23 per cent), financial stress (22 per cent), and lower self-esteem (20 per cent). The top locations people reported feeling lonely were also established as at home alone (59 per cent), in a crowd (27 per cent), and when having a meal by themselves (26 per cent). Perhaps to stave off this lonely feeling, over half (52 per cent) are more likely to listen to the radio when at home alone, according to data. Other than listening to the news and their favourite music, 38 per cent utilise their broadcast boxes for background noise (38 per cent), company (20 per cent), and making the house feel less quiet (19 per cent). A further 16 per cent specified listening to the radio helps them to feel less lonely, with 15 per cent liking to hear the sound of other people's voices, and 13 per cent enjoying being part of the conversation. Stations providing the best company were also identified as pop music (30 per cent), oldies music (24 per cent), and talk radio stations (21 per cent). Hubert Eiter, spokesperson for Pure, which is donating £5 for every Pure radio sold between June 9 – July 9, 2025 in support of Marmalade Trust, said: 'Pure has been active in supporting loneliness charities over many years and we are proud to partner with the Marmalade Trust this year. 'It's great to see that everyday listening can bring a lot of comfort to people, as it has the power to immediately make a room feel livelier and less quiet – we love the fact that radio is able to provide some company for those who feel lonely from time to time.'
