Loneliness is no longer a rare or unusual experience. Across the UK and globally, many adults report feeling emotionally disconnected—even when surrounded by people, technology, and constant communication.
At Globally Verified, the world’s first mental-health-focused platform built around ethical wellbeing principles, we believe it’s important to talk openly about why this disconnection is happening and how awareness itself can support mental wellbeing—without judgement, pressure, or simplistic answers.
This article explores loneliness, touch deprivation, and modern life, and why these experiences are increasingly common.
What Is Loneliness?
Loneliness is not simply being alone.
It is the felt gap between the connection someone has and the connection they need. A person can have relationships, work colleagues, family, or an active social life—and still feel deeply lonely.
Loneliness can be:
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Emotional (feeling unseen or misunderstood)
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Social (lacking meaningful connection)
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Situational (linked to life changes such as relocation, illness, or loss)
None of these experiences indicate weakness or failure. They are human responses to unmet emotional needs.
Understanding Touch Deprivation
Touch deprivation refers to a lack of safe, comforting, non-threatening physical contact over time.
This does not mean sexual contact. It includes:
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Hugs
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Reassuring physical presence
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Gentle, consensual closeness
For many adults, opportunities for this kind of touch decrease with age due to:
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Living alone
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Remote work
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Relationship breakdowns
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Health conditions
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Cultural discomfort around platonic touch
When this absence persists, it can contribute to feelings of isolation, anxiety, and emotional fatigue.
Why Modern Life Increases Disconnection
1. Digital Connection Replacing Human Presence
Technology allows us to stay in constant contact, but it often replaces depth with speed. Messaging and social platforms can reduce opportunities for meaningful, embodied connection.
2. Increased Independence, Reduced Community
Modern life places strong emphasis on self-sufficiency. While independence can be empowering, it can also weaken shared community structures that once provided natural support.
3. Time Pressure and Emotional Overload
Many adults are managing work, finances, caregiving, and uncertainty simultaneously. Emotional availability often becomes a casualty of exhaustion.
4. Fear of Burdening Others
People frequently avoid expressing loneliness because they worry about being seen as needy, dramatic, or burdensome—leading to further withdrawal.
The Mental Health Impact of Chronic Loneliness
Long-term loneliness has been associated with:
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Increased stress
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Low mood
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Reduced emotional resilience
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Difficulty concentrating
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Heightened feelings of anxiety
Importantly, loneliness is not a diagnosis. It is an experience—and one that deserves compassion rather than self-criticism.
Why Awareness Matters
Understanding loneliness and touch deprivation helps remove shame.
When people recognise that:
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These experiences are common
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They are shaped by societal factors
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They are not personal failures
…it becomes easier to approach wellbeing with kindness rather than urgency or self-judgement.
Awareness allows individuals to:
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Reflect on their emotional needs
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Set gentler expectations of themselves
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Seek connection in ways that feel safe and appropriate
A Note on Support
If feelings of loneliness or disconnection become overwhelming or persistent, reaching out to trusted people or appropriate support services can be an important step.
In the UK, organisations such as Mind, Samaritans, and NHS wellbeing services provide confidential information and support. Seeking help is a sign of self-respect, not weakness.
Final Thoughts
Loneliness and touch deprivation are not signs that something is “wrong” with you. They are signals—often shaped by modern life—that human connection matters.
At MyJoyToys, our approach to mental wellbeing starts with understanding, ethics, and respect for individual boundaries. There is no single solution, no pressure to “fix” yourself, and no expectation beyond recognising your own experience with honesty and care.
This is the foundation of sustainable mental wellbeing.