In general, spending any amount of time on others brings less self-focus on ourselves and our own problems. Whether it's giving your time to another person or simply letting your time slip between the noise of a social event, getting out of our own heads and into the heart of reality is where we can find some more connection. The following are the ways to deal with loneliness:
- Talking to strangers even for 30 seconds has been proven to cause a boost of serotonin on both ends of the conversations.
- Scheduling face time with friends and family boosts endorphins and eases brain chemicals of pain.
- Eating together functions like social glue, says Susan Pinker in the Village Effect.
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Literal feelings of touch, hugging, holding hands or even patting someone on the back can lower physiological stress responses and help fight infection and inflammation. This response to touch release oxytocin and strengthen social bonds.