How loneliness and anxiety are related?

Loneliness is an emotion that can happen when one is or perceives that one is alone.  Loneliness can happen even when surrounded by others if you feel that you don’t have anything in common with or are not understood by others.  Loneliness can also be something that you feel when you are actually alone.  However, not everyone alone feeling lonely.  Many things influence whether or not someone feels lonely, including personality type (Introverted vs. extroverted), how much someone is used to spending time by themselves, whether or not they chose to be alone, etc.

Loneliness can often trigger feelings of anxiety.  Anxiety can actually be a normal response to some kind of dysfunction in the environment.  Most people usually have some reason for feeling anxious, even if it doesn’t seem apparent at first glance.  I mean by dysfunction in the environment about loneliness because sometimes, being isolated and alone can be life-threatening to humans, who are social creatures.  We need connection and acceptance to thrive, and often if we don’t get that or are not raised by people who know how to connect emotionally with us, the result is loneliness.  And the anxiety comes from having a need that we are afraid won’t be met (in this case, the need for social interaction).  So you can see how anxiety could be a very appropriate response!  And healthy!  Anxiety can often let us know that we need something.  Related to loneliness, it can be the body’s way of letting us know that we need more social support or a greater sense of connection to the community. 

It is important to prioritize social connection, especially if you are feeling lonely.  There is sometimes a stigma associated with the feeling of loneliness and the corresponding anxiety. Still, it is the body and brain’s way of telling us we need more feelings of connection.  Without a connection to others, it is more difficult to survive physically and emotionally, and spiritually.  So, if you feel loneliness and anxiety, it is simply your brain and body’s way of telling you that you need connection!