Alone ≠ Lonely: Study Debunks Common Assumption

A study conducted by researchers at the University of Arizona has found that being alone does not closely correlate with feelings of loneliness. The study revealed that people do not feel lonely until they spend three-quarters of their time alone, and when their alone time exceeds 75%, it becomes difficult for them to avoid feelings of loneliness. The study also highlighted a strong association between time spent alone and feeling lonely among older adults. The researchers used a smartphone app called the Electronically Activated Recorder (EAR) to measure time spent alone. The findings emphasize the importance of social connections for human health and suggest that loneliness and isolation are related but distinct concepts.