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Everyone from time to time has felt lonely. Physically, you feel hollow and empty inside. As if something is missing within you. Emotionally, you feel alone, sad and untethered.

For some, is a short-lived moment that changes when successful efforts lead to social re-connection. But for others, many others, loneliness is a chronic situation.

Though there are billions of us on this planet, our fast-paced, technologically advanced world is heightening loneliness. Research reports that chronic loneliness is increasing worldwide and is a public health concern.

Loneliness Dangers

Loneliness looms larger than painful emotional or physical experiences. Research shows that loneliness is really, really bad for our health. Here are some loneliness statistics:

When you consider the above statistics, chronic loneliness is not just bad for your health, it can be deadly. Experts believe we need to view loneliness not as just a social connection gone bad, but as a disease that needs early detection and treatments.

Types of Loneliness

Loneliness is complex and unique to each person. One of the best ways to recognize if you or a loved one is struggling with loneliness is to understand the different types. Early detection of beginning stages of loneliness helps interrupt the symptoms from taking root.

Interpersonal loneliness: This is most common kind of loneliness children and adults experience. This is where a person is socially isolated, or perceives him or herself as cut off from a significant other. Social loneliness: This where children or adults are excluded, rejected or perceives themselves to be disconnected from a group or community. Cultural loneliness: When a person feels a disconnect from their own culture or the mainstream culture so much so that they feel they don't belong anywhere. Intellectual loneliness: Where a child or an adult feels a lack of intellectual stimulation and connectedness to others or a group. Psychological loneliness: When disrupts a person's sense of belongingness, loneliness can result. Because no one else can understand the trauma, social withdrawal can occur. Existential loneliness: When mortality is faced by a child or an adult, an isolating sense of loneliness can develop.

Strategies to Reduce Loneliness

Fortunately, there is a cure for loneliness. The antidote is social connection. Here are some tips to kick loneliness to the curb.

Ask for help. Reach out to friends and family with a phone call or a personal visit. Talk about your feelings of isolation to cue-in your loved ones. If you have a significant other, tell him or her that you're feeling lonely in the relationship. Sharing your feelings helps open the door to greater social involvement.

Find purpose. Join a local community, church or temple group that dovetails with some of your interests. Consider volunteering for another great way to make new friends and socialize. Become a mentor and pass along your to another person.

Seek a four legged friend. Consider adopting a pet. Creating a bond with a dog, cat or other animal companion can ease feelings of loneliness and improve well being.

Unplug from computer/phone/social media and connect in real life: Remember to disconnect from technology and put yourself into the real world. Studies show that offline interactions have more positive social effects than online activities. Young adults and teens who spend a lot of time on social media are twice as likely to feel lonely.

For homebound children or adults: In-person visits, phone calls and old-school mailed cards from you can lift symptoms of loneliness in a family or friend. If you want your loved one to have more involvement, seek services like "meals on wheels," "visiting friends," "pet visit programs" as well as "reach out and read library services" in your community.