by Christina Driver, Thomas Pace and Kali Gray,University of the Sunshine Coast

Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

It might sound like a contradiction, but if you're feeling lonely, you're not alone.

One in four Australians experience persistent loneliness, indicating that its associated impact on happiness is something many of us can relate to.

Considering this prevalence of loneliness, and its known links toemotional distress, it's apt that the focus of this year's World Mental Health Day in Australia encouragessocial connection.

When we're socially connected, ourmental healthis better for it, but the benefits extend beyond this to brain health and surprising aspects of physical health.

The good news is that health benefits can be realized across the lifespan, so it's never too late to build a more connected life.

Causes of loneliness vary, but many of the common contributors are external to you.

Societal factors that can lead to loneliness include: the juggle of parenting and working; geographically dispersedfamily members; cultural disconnection; a reduced sense of community; and increased use of technology.

Life events that can lead to loneliness include: loss of a loved one; relationship breakdown; moving to a new town;financial hardship; retirement; graduating from school; experiencing trauma; and chronic health conditions.

We can also experience a 'loneliness cycle'—feeling lonely can lead to emotional distress, which can make social interactions more difficult, which can further contribute to loneliness.

The bottom line is, feeling lonely is not something to be ashamed of. It is feedback that youaren't getting enough of a basic human need—social connection.

Loneliness is more than just a feeling—humans are biologically 'hard wired' to connect with others.

Our brains have evolvedin tandem with humanity's complex social networks. Accordingly, most areas of the brain are involved to some degree in social behavior.

The brain reacts differently when feeling lonely compared to feeling connected. Loneliness can be interpreted by the brain as a threat akin to physical pain, which can activate stress responses.

On the other hand, time spent connecting and bonding with people increases the release of hormones, including oxytocin, that can enhance feelings of connectedness and downregulate parts of the brain associated with feeling anxious insocial situations.

Each person differs in the amount of social connection they need, so there is no prescription for what is right for you. However, feeling lonely is a signal that you may need more meaningful social connection.

Social connectedness is more than the absence of loneliness. It also encompasses a sense of belonging within a social network. This could be family, friendships, shared interest groups, work, or neighborhoods, for example.

When we feel connected to others, we receive emotional benefits, such as a lower likelihood of depression.

Social connectedness is also linked to better regulation of the"fight/flight" stress response. This may bebecause familiar faces inhibit neurobiological defense mechanisms. Put simply, when we recognize people around us our brain feels more safe.

Other health benefits are perhaps more surprising; social connectedness canstrengthen your immune response and reduce your risk of heart disease. This is likely due to loneliness being linked toinflammationand stress on the body.

There is another aspect of our need for social connectedness that equalizes us as humans—it's beneficial no matter our age.

Feeling moreconnected at schoolor with family is linked to higher self-esteem, and reduced risk of depression, suicidal ideation and social anxiety in youth.

OurLongitudinal Adolescent Brain Study, tracking the brain development of 12- to 17-year-olds,found a significant negative correlationbetween social connection and psychological distress—as social connection increases, psychological distress decreases, and vice versa.

The famous Harvard "Happiness Study' has tracked adults since 1938 to uncover what makes a healthy, happy life. At age 50, participants' satisfaction with their personal relationships was thebiggest predictor of health at 80(more important than cholesterol!).

Social contact isa protective factor againstdementia, and enhances cognitive reserve—the brain's resilience to the effects of aging.

OurHealthy Brain Agingresearch team have found that impacts of lifestyle factors, including lower social connectedness, show up in the brain well before any signs of dementia emerge. This includesreduced white matter volume, imbalances in electrical activity, andconcentrations of neurochemicals.

For many people, reducing feelings of loneliness can take time. Some causes of loneliness can be prolonged, and establishing new relationships can be initially daunting.

It might be helpful to know, however, that your efforts to connect with others don't have to be big to benefit your health, particularly as they accumulate over time.

Some suggestions are:

Provided by University of the Sunshine Coast