I was feeling blue last week so decided to engage in my usual form of wallowing: browsing animal shelter websites and imagining being in the position of adopting them all.

Perhaps we'll all live on a large farm — formerly neglected animals now happily running free, sun shining ... even a unicorn is there! Well, it is an alternate universe.

The profiles of each perfect pup scrolled past, but one title in particular caught my eye: Lonely Larry needs a home. (Ouch, my feelings.)

It was a stark reminder that everyone — dogs and humans alike — can get lonely.

The topic of loneliness is back on the public radar this week after the story of a South Australian widower, who posted an ad for a fishing buddy on Gumtree, went viral.

Unlike sellers trying to get rid of second-hand cars or soiled couches, 75-year-old Ray Johnstone was looking for something different: a friend.

"I am a Land Based Fisherman ... what I want is a fishing mate in a similar position to myself who also wants someone to go fishing with," Mr Johnstone's advertisement read.

Loneliness a 'silent epidemic'

Meanwhile, in the UK, a new Commission on Loneliness is this week being launched by a group of cross-party MPs to help people suffering from feelings of isolation.

The commission — an initiative developed by MP Jo Cox, who was tragically murdered last year — described loneliness as "Britain's silent epidemic".

Research conducted by the organisations and charities involved found more than nine million people are "always or often lonely" — though two thirds of respondents said they would never admit it in public.

If so many of us are feeling lonely, why aren't we reaching out to each other? ( Unsplash.com )

Feelings of isolation tend to be more common in older folk, with research showing half a million people over the age of 60 spend almost every day alone.

Other recent studies suggest these feelings aren't just unpleasant to deal with, but are also possibly harmful to our health. Loneliness has been associated with higher blood pressure, heart disease and even Alzheimer's.

But don't let that discourage you. These days, of course, everything is bad for your health. Soon doctors will say my 10-a-day hash brown intake is unhealthy!

What we can do is use this information as a prompt to engage in some self-reflection and compassion. If so many of us are feeling lonely, why aren't we reaching out to each other?

Is social media helpful or unhealthy?

Loneliness has been described as "a waste by-product of technology and the internet". A recent study even found that more people want to quit social media than smoking!

Withdrawal patches wouldn't do much to curb one's desire for instant reassurance and connection. After all, if a funny joke is made in an empty forest and not posted on Twitter, is it still a funny joke?

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As someone who works from home and suffers from depression, technology without doubt has its benefits: ordering products online and self-serve checkouts come in handy when I'm feeling overwhelmed.

The flipside, however, is that my social anxiety is never challenged and I can easily go days — even weeks — with very little actual human contact.

The end result is feelings of isolation and, frustratingly, an increase in social anxiety.

Of course, there is no one-size-fits-all rule when it comes to Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and all those other confusing apps used by hip teens. As soon as we finish reading research stating social media makes us depressed, another study highlights its benefits.

Ultimately, our good old friend self-reflection is required to assess whether your time on social media is helpful or unhealthy.

We need to make ourselves vulnerable

Still, if you are feeling lonely and disconnected, you might be struggling with what to do about it.

Reaching out to others requires courage. The ability to make ourselves vulnerable has been studied by social worker and researcher Brene Brown, who believes we cannot experience love, belonging, creativity and joy without putting our true selves out there — getting vulnerable.

How can others help if you don't first reach out?

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Of course, emotional vulnerability looks different to everyone. It may be re-engaging with a friend you argued with years ago and mending bridges. It might be starting a conversation with the neighbour you share a morning smile with.

Or like Ray Johnstone, it may mean putting a call-out for a fishing buddy.

As I approach 30, I find it harder and harder to begin friendships — it was much easier as a child to simply bound up to a peer and ask, "Wanna be my friend?"

It might take more work and perseverance, but it's worth the momentary discomfort of vulnerability or awkwardness.

So sure, we can wallow in our loneliness. We can look at dogs we can't adopt, or listen to music that validates our solitude.

But why not reach out to someone, and be one of the third of folk who admit to feeling lonely. Chances are the other person is feeling just the same.