HOW TO BE LESS LONELY

Rekindling friendships, volunteering as also embracing your 'microconnections' can help, say experts

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Loneliness is quietly emerging as one of the most significant health issues globally, affecting people of all ages, backgrounds and life stages. The way we feel about the quality and quantity of our relationships matters. Loneliness is a subjective experience: it's the gap between the social relationships we desire and our actual network.

So, what can we do about it? Loneliness is often compounded by economic and social factors, which are not down to individuals to fix. But if you feel like your friendship circle has shrunk in recent years - and it bothers you - it might be time to refresh your approach. Here's what you can do, and why it's good for your health.

How friends affect health

There is a strong relationship between loneliness and psychological distress. In contrast, adult friendships - especially high-quality ones that provide social support and companionship - can protect against mental health issues such as depression and anxiety.

Friendships can also reduce how strongly the brain reacts to stress, shown to help protect people's mental health after experiences of adversity.

In fact, having friends and social connections has even been linked to physical health benefits such as lower blood pressure and a healthy BMI.

What you can do