How to deal with loneliness that drains your energy: 8 hours without people is like 8 hours without food
We tend to think of loneliness as a mood that will "pass on its own." But research shows that a lack of social contact hits your energy almost as hard as a skipped lunch. Here's how loneliness affects your body, why you can feel it even among people, and how to deal with loneliness when you don't even have the energy to meet up.
Questions and answers
How does loneliness affect the body?
According to the WHO Commission on Social Connection, loneliness and social isolation are linked to a higher risk of stroke, heart disease and dementia. In the short term, studies also record a more everyday effect: after a day without social contact, people feel less energetic and more tired.
Why can you feel lonely even around people?
Loneliness is the gap between the connections you have and the ones you need. You can see colleagues and family every day and still not have a single conversation where you feel truly heard.
How do you deal with loneliness when you have no energy?
Start with very small steps: one message a day, one phone call a week, one regular place where you see the same people. Consistency matters more than scale here.
What should I do if the feeling of loneliness won't go away?
If loneliness lasts for weeks, gets in the way of sleep or work, or comes with sadness and hopelessness, it's worth talking to a doctor or a psychologist. That's not weakness — it's the same kind of self-care as seeing any other specialist.
Read also
Sources
- Stijovic A. et al. — Homeostatic Regulation of Energetic Arousal During Acute Social Isolation (Psychological Science, 2023)
- Health Policy Watch — Loneliness, Social Isolation Linked To 871,000 Annual Deaths, WHO Finds (WHO Commission on Social Connection, 2025)
- CDC, MMWR — Loneliness, Lack of Social and Emotional Support, and Mental Health Issues (2024)