<div><ul><li>Loneliness is strongly connected to genetics. </li><li>Situational variables, such as physical isolation, moving to a new location, divorce and the death of someone significant in a person's life can also lead to feelings of loneliness. </li><li>Loneliness can be a symptom of a <a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-a-psychological-disorder-2795767">psychological disorder</a> such as depression.</li><li>Loneliness can also be attributed to internal factors such as low <a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-self-esteem-2795868">self-esteem</a>.</li></ul>
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Causes

<div><p><b>Loneliness has a wide range of negative effects on both physical and <a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-mental-health-2330755">mental health</a></b>, including:</p></div><div><ul><li>Depression and <a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/suicidal-ideation-380609">suicide</a></li><li>Cardiovascular disease and stroke</li><li>Increased stress levels</li><li>Decreased memory and learning</li><li>Antisocial behavior</li><li>Poor decision-making</li><li>Alcoholism and drug abuse</li><li>The progression of Alzheimer's disease</li><li>Altered brain function</li></ul></div>

Health Risks Associated With Loneliness

<div><p><b>Experts believe that it is not the <em>quantity</em> of social interaction that combats loneliness, but it's the <em>quality</em>.</b></p></div>
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<p>Having just three or four close friends is enough to ward off loneliness and reduce the negative health consequences associated with this state of mind.</p></div>

Close Friends Combat Loneliness

<div><p>Loneliness, according to many experts, is not necessarily about being alone. Instead, <b>if you <em>feel</em> alone and isolated, then that is how loneliness plays into your state of mind.</b></p><p>For example,<i> a college freshman might feel lonely despite being surrounded by roommates and other peers.</i></p></div>

Loneliness Is a State of Mind

<p><span><b>It does require a conscious effort on your part to make a change. </b></span></p><p><span>Making a change, in the long run, can make you happier, healthier, and enable you to impact others around you in a positive way.</span></p>

Loneliness can be overcome

<ul><li>Recognize that <b>loneliness is a sign that something needs to change.</b></li><li><b>Understand the effects that loneliness has on your life</b>, both physically and mentally.</li><li><b>Consider doing community service</b> or another activity that you enjoy.</li><li><b>Focus on developing quality relationships </b>with people who share similar attitudes, interests, and values with you.</li><li><b>Expect the best</b>. Lonely people often expect rejection, so instead focus on positive thoughts and attitudes in your social relationships.</li></ul>

Tips to Prevent Loneliness

Loneliness is a universal human emotion that is both complex and unique to each individual. Because it has no single common cause, the prevention and treatment of this potentially damaging state of mind can vary dramatically. For example, a lonely child who struggles to make friends at his school has different needs than a lonely old man whose wife has recently died.