As humans are drawn to live in groups. In the wild, living in groups means more successful hunting, and better protection from predators, and even today, people everywhere still follow this idea with things like “group bathroom breaks,” when someone feels unsafe going alone, or the “buddy system” with children going across a busy parking lot.

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Loneliness is caused by a unique feeling that everyone experiences differently, and while simply being alone doesn’t always constitute loneliness, it is typically what people think when they think of someone lonely. A person can be lonely sitting in a room full of people because it isn’t about not having people around--it’s about feeling like you’re with people.

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Being lonely has a vast array of negative effects, and being lonely can affect a person’s physical health and mental health. Common effects include poor decision making, increased stress and altered brain function, but some of the more serious effects include things like depression, thoughts of suicide, and an increased the chance of cardiovascular disease and stroke. It can speed the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, and can lead to substance abuse.

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In 1943, a man named Abraham Maslow proposed a theory in a paper called “A theory of Human Motivation.” This theory has since been referred to as “Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs,” and it details what humans need to survive. The most important things are at the bottom of this pyramid, such as food, water, and the ability to breathe, but the next most important thing on this pyramid includes safety and social interaction. The pyramid shows how each layer works like a building block.

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Loneliness is thought to result from small social circles and a lack of close friends. As part of a questionnaire asked in 1984 to children, they responded first that they had about 3 close friends they could trust and talk to on a daily basis. In 2004, the same questionnaire was asked, and people responded they had 0 people that they could trust, and it’s been implied that the internet is to blame.

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In today’s day and age, people are hardly ever further than arm’s length from one another. It seems that a simple text or a five minute phone call can combat loneliness in an extremely positive way.