In today’s hyperconnected world, loneliness is considered a global epidemic with serious effects on mental and physical health. Public health campaigns and media discussions aim to tackle this issue—but could they be making it worse?

New research from the University of Michigan suggests a paradox: media portrayals of solitude, though well-meaning, may actually increase loneliness by shaping negative attitudes toward being alone.

The media’s role

A review of 144 news articles from major U.S. newspapers (2020-2022) found that solitude is overwhelmingly framed as negative, with stories 10 times more likely to highlight its harms than its benefits.

“Constant warnings about the dangers of being alone may be doing more harm than good,” the researchers explain. “It’s crucial for media and public health campaigns to separate being alone from feeling lonely. Time alone is an inevitable part of life and can have benefits.”

The study found that people who see solitude as harmful tend to feel lonelier after spending time alone. In contrast, those with a positive view of solitude not only feel less lonely but actually enjoy their alone time.

Perceptions matter

“Loneliness isn’t just about social connections—it’s also about how we perceive our time alone,” the authors note. “Reframing solitude as a positive experience can protect against loneliness and even enhance well-being.”

The findings challenge the idea that solitude is inherently bad and suggest that messages warning about its dangers might be backfiring, making people feel even worse when they are alone.

“Our research suggests new ways to address the ‘loneliness epidemic,’” the authors say. “Along with promoting social connections, we should also help people develop a healthier relationship with solitude.”

A universal truth

This effect is not limited to one culture. The study gathered data from nine countries, including Brazil, South Africa, the U.K., Japan, Mexico, Spain, Australia, and Poland. Across cultures, beliefs about solitude shaped experiences of loneliness, showing that mindset matters.

“From community-focused cultures like Mexico and Brazil to nations like Japan and the U.K., where governments have appointed ‘loneliness ministers,’ the pattern holds,” the researchers say. “The benefits of viewing solitude positively are strongest for those who spend the most time alone.”

Public health leaders, including the WHO and former U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, have warned that loneliness is linked to depression, heart disease, and even early death. But this study introduces an important distinction—being alone is not necessarily the problem. With the right mindset, solitude can foster personal growth, creativity, and emotional recovery.

Learning to thrive

“We were surprised to find that people who see solitude positively don’t just tolerate it—they actually feel more content after spending time alone,” the authors add. “This challenges the idea that being alone inevitably leads to loneliness. Instead, solitude can be an asset—if we let it.”

Public health messaging often focuses on increasing social interaction to fight loneliness. But this study suggests an alternative: rather than just encouraging more social connections, we should also promote healthier beliefs about solitude.

Shifting public discourse to highlight the benefits of being alone may help people experience solitude in a more positive way.

“Most loneliness interventions focus on building social connections,” the researchers conclude. “That can help, but it’s not always enough—because being alone and feeling lonely are not the same thing.

“Our research points to another way to combat loneliness: helping people develop a more positive relationship with solitude. We are now testing an intervention to help lonely individuals reframe their beliefs about being alone, improving well-being and reducing loneliness.”