Much like hunger motivates us to eat, loneliness drives us to strengthen our social relationships. In this way, loneliness is good for us, in that it is our brain s way of letting us know that we need to act.

Feeling disconnected, isolated, or lonely triggers a physiological state of threat in the brain, which can lead us to misunderstand each other s intentions or cause the unnecessary escalation of conflict.

Loneliness isn t shameful, it is a biological warning signal that lets us know we re failing to meet our basic human need

- the need for social

connection.

Rik Rushton, The Power of Connection

SOCIAL CONNECTION