Loneliness facts for kids

Loneliness by Hans Thoma (National Museum in Warsaw).

Loneliness is a sad feeling. It happens when you feel alone or don't have enough friends and family around. Even if many people are nearby, you can still feel lonely. This feeling can make you feel worried or uneasy.

What is Loneliness?

Loneliness is more than just being by yourself. It's a deep feeling of sadness because you want more connection with others. You can feel lonely even if you are with many people. For example, someone in a marriage or a successful job might still feel lonely. It's about how you feel inside, not just who is around you.

Why Do People Feel Lonely?

Many things can cause loneliness. Sometimes, people don't have many friends during their childhood or teenage years. This can make them feel lonely later on. A long-lasting sad mood, called chronic depression, can also lead to loneliness. When a close relationship or marriage ends, people often feel very lonely too. Moving to a new place or changing schools can also make you feel alone at first.

How Loneliness Affects You

Feeling lonely can affect your mood. It can make you feel sad, worried, or even a bit down. It might make you want to stay by yourself more. But remember, loneliness is a common feeling. Many people experience it at different times in their lives. It's important to know that these feelings can change.

Dealing with Loneliness

If you feel lonely, there are ways to help yourself.

• Reach out to others: Talk to a friend, family member, or a trusted adult. Sharing your feelings can help.
• Join a group: Find a club or activity that interests you. This could be a sports team, a book club, or a volunteer group. Meeting new people with similar interests can help you feel more connected.
• Spend time on hobbies: Do things you enjoy. This could be reading, drawing, playing music, or anything that makes you happy.
• Help others: Doing something kind for someone else can make you feel good and less lonely.
• Be patient: It takes time to build new friendships and connections. Don't give up!

Loneliness in Art and Thought

Artists and thinkers have explored loneliness for a long time. The painting Loneliness by Hans Thoma shows this feeling. It helps us see that loneliness is a part of the human experience. Famous writer Thomas Wolfe once said that loneliness is a central fact of life. This means it's a feeling many people share. Even robots, like Paro the seal, are sometimes used to help people who feel lonely. These robots can offer comfort and companionship.

Images for kids

• 

  Thomas Wolfe who in an often quoted passage stated "The whole conviction of my life now rests upon the belief that loneliness, far from being a rare and curious phenomenon, is the central and inevitable fact of human existence."

• 

  Paro, a robot pet seal classified as a medical device by U.S. regulators