Loneliness on the Rise During the Holiday Season, Global Reports Show
As the holiday season kicks into full swing, recent global reports have revealed a concerning trend: loneliness is on the rise despite the festiveness of the season. This paradox has caught the attention of clinicians, who are now shedding light on the reasons behind it, how loneliness affects the brain, and ways to ease the feeling.
According to the latest research, loneliness is increasing worldwide during the holiday season, a time traditionally associated with family gatherings and joy. Reports from countries such as the UK, EU, Japan, Canada, Australia, and the US all show a significant rise in loneliness.
The 2025 Social Connections and Loneliness Report by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) states that up to 14% of people in member countries feel lonely most or all of the time. In the US, the American Psychological Association’s “Stress in America 2025” report found that half of adults report signs of loneliness, including emotional disconnection and isolation.
Dr. Hannah Nearney, a clinical psychiatrist and UK Medical Director at Flow Neuroscience, a company that developed brain stimulation treatment for depression, explained, “No matter the part of the world, holidays come with a lot of ‘shoulds’ and unrealistic social expectations of happiness and connectedness. But in reality, many people naturally struggle with those, and that doesn’t suddenly disappear during the end-of-year festivities.”
One of the main reasons behind the increase in loneliness during the festive season is distance from family and strained relationships. This Christmas, 14 million Americans will spend it alone, with almost half due to conflict or being far from family, according to AMFM (A Mission for Michael). Additionally, the OECD found that the frequency of in-person interactions with friends and family has been declining over the past decade.
Dr. Kultar Singh Garcha, NHS GP and Chief Medical Officer at Flow Neuroscience, stated, “The festive attributes of December, like Christmas traditions, songs, and movies, trigger the brain to think of family. Because Christmas is so commercialized, even different cultures are affected. If the family is far, someone has passed, or there’s a conflict, all the emotions come out: grief, anger, disappointment, and loneliness, of course.”
Stress, including financial stress, can also amplify the feeling of loneliness. The 2025 “Festive Feeling” study from the South African Depression and Anxiety Group found that more than one in three people feel tired “for no good reason” and lonely during the holiday season. The OECD adds that people typically facing financial stress, such as those unemployed or with low incomes, are nearly twice as likely to report feeling lonely.
Dr. Nearney explained, “Stress can impair the functioning of the pre-frontal cortex, which is essentially the brain’s control center for executive functioning. When that happens, it’s much harder to regulate emotions or make considered decisions, thus social cues can feel harsher. Small disconnections can feel bigger, strengthening the sense of isolation. Financial stress is especially intense: it pushes the brain into survival mode, and social connections become much less of a priority.”
To those struggling with loneliness this holiday season, clinicians recommend fostering meaningful connections and supporting emotional well-being. “Focus on nurturing relationships that you already have and set boundaries with difficult relatives. If you can’t meet loved ones in person, organize regular video calls. Also, small acts of kindness can help you feel more connected to your community: simply compliment someone or offer help with heavy bags,” said Dr. Garcha. “If you’re persistently struggling with stress or low mood, not just loneliness, consider seeking professional help. It can be psychotherapy, support groups, or clinician-guided mental health tools like brain stimulation.”
The rise in loneliness during the holiday season serves as a reminder to prioritize our own well-being instead of trying to meet unrealistic holiday expectations. Even simple actions like reaching out to an old friend or setting up a video call with family can help ease the loneliness many feel this holiday season.
For more information on Flow Neuroscience, please visit their website at www.flowneuroscience.com.
Media Contact:
Aivaras Vilutis
aivaras.v@sensuspr.com