Lonely? Go Outside

Wilderness Solitaire: The key to combating loneliness is surrounding yourself with lots of people, right? Not quite, according to a new study published in Health & Place. It’s a bit of a head-scratcher, but the research suggests that spending time outdoors — especially alone — may strengthen feelings of connection that are linked to lower loneliness.

The Study: Researchers from Norway surveyed more than 2,500 people from the region surrounding the country’s largest lake and asked them what types of outdoor activities they did and how often they did them alone. Using a method called structural equation modeling, the researchers found that people’s emotional attachment to a place (specifically, the lake and surrounding area) and their connectedness to nature were associated with reduced loneliness — and that these relationships were stronger when activities were done alone.

The Takeaway: The activities participants did outside mattered. Ones that involved quiet introspection and noticing of aesthetic and sensory details — like taking a walk and hearing water lapping or seeing vibrant flowers — showed stronger links to connectedness to nature, which in turn was tied to lower loneliness. More goal-oriented activities, like exercising, showed weaker relationships with that pathway.

Keep in Mind: The study was limited to a very specific place and population, and the findings show associations — not causation.