Loneliness on the Rise During Holiday Season, Clinicians Explain Reasons and Share Insights
New research has revealed that despite the festive season, loneliness is on the rise globally. Reports from various countries, including the UK, EU, Japan, Canada, Australia, and the US, have shown an increase in feelings of loneliness during the holiday season.
According to the 2025 Social Connections and Loneliness Report from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), 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 reported signs of loneliness, such as emotional disconnection and isolation.
Dr. Hannah Nearney, clinical psychiatrist and UK Medical Director at Flow Neuroscience, a company that developed brain stimulation treatment for depression, explains that the expectations and social pressures during the holiday season can contribute to feelings of loneliness.
“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,” said Dr. Nearney.
One of the main reasons for loneliness during the holiday season is distance from family and strained relationships. According to AMFM (A Mission for Michael), 14 million Americans will spend Christmas alone this year, with almost half due to conflict or being far from family. The OECD also found that the frequency of in-person interactions with friends and family has been declining over the past decade.
“Festive traditions, songs, and movies can trigger the brain to think of family, even in different cultures. 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,” said Dr. Kultar Singh Garcha, NHS GP and Chief Medical Officer at Flow Neuroscience.
Stress, including financial stress, can also amplify feelings of loneliness. According to the “Festive Feeling” study by the South African Depression and Anxiety Group, more than 1 in 3 people feel tired “for no good reason” and lonely this holiday season. The OECD adds that people facing financial stress, such as those who are unemployed or have low incomes, are nearly twice as likely to report feeling lonely.
“Stress can impair the functioning of the pre-frontal cortex, which is essentially the brain’s control centre 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,” explained Dr. Nearney. “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 is a signal to start prioritizing our own well-being instead of trying to meet unrealistic 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, a healthcare company that focuses on tDCS therapies and devices, visit their website at www.flowneuroscience.com.
Media Contact:
Aivaras Vilutis
aivaras.v@sensuspr.com
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.