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Being alone doesn’t have to mean feeling lonely.
A loneliness epidemic has been hitting adults hard, with Gen Z and millennial men feeling the effects of isolation the most.
A study out of Norway has found a potential solution, but it’s a bit counterintuitive.
Spending time in the great outdoors has a long list of physical and mental health benefits, such as reduced stress and anxiety, encouraging exercise, improving mood, increasing focus and getting better sleep.
And a solo walk along the water can help reduce feelings of loneliness, according to recent findings.
Published in the journal Health and Place, a survey of 2,544 people found that spending time on a lake by themselves, rather than joining a group activity there, was associated with lower loneliness.
The study participants, aged 18 and older, were asked not only about what types of activities they did at Mjøsa, Norway’s largest lake, but also how often.
The researchers then asked about two types of loneliness: missing close, intimate relationships or feeling disconnected from a broader social group.
Those who did activities more frequently had a stronger attachment to the lake and nature, which in turn resulted in feeling less lonely, but only for the type related to feeling disconnected from a group or community.
While many head down to the water kayak with others or join a group paddle session, the reason for these results was more internal: feeling connected to nature and an emotional bond with a specific place.
While solitude gave people the mental space to focus on their environment, the researchers also noted that too much and too little time alone can be harmful.
One of the reasons why nature is often cited as a way to beat feeling isolated is because of socialization that can happen naturally while out walking, hiking or running.
Previous research, however, has found that social interactions aren’t always the most effective way to reduce feeling alienated.
And those who are lonely don’t have to seek out a shoreline, as even taking a walk in the woods and seeing natural elements can alleviate feelings of loneliness by 28%, especially for city dwellers, to reduce feeling overcrowded.
Yet those who are suffering from feeling alone the most are the ones least connected to nature and spending more time inside.
According to one poll, Gen Z spends 25% less time outdoors than Gen X, due to bad weather, not enough time in the day and not wanting to be alone.
But just spending even 15 minutes outside can boost mental health by increasing vitamin D exposure.
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