Loneliness does not always mean being alone. It often comes from feeling disconnected. This feeling has been rising in recent years, worrying researchers and public health experts.
A new study from Norway asked a simple question: can nature help people feel less lonely? The researchers analyzed survey data from over 2,500 people living near Lake Mjøsa.
The results show that everyday activities in nature can shape emotional wellbeing.
“The conclusion is that outdoor activities in natural environments largely have a protective effect against loneliness,” said Sindre Johan Cottis Hoff, a PhD research fellow at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology.
Loneliness has two forms
Loneliness is not just about physical isolation. A person can be surrounded by others and still feel disconnected.
Researchers often describe two types. Social loneliness comes from lacking a wider network or community. Emotional loneliness reflects the absence of close, meaningful bonds.
This distinction matters because not all solutions work the same way. Social events or group activities may help some people, but they do not always address deeper emotional gaps.
In fact, past research shows that simply increasing social interaction does not reliably reduce loneliness.
This is where natural environments enter the picture. Parks, lakes, and forests are often linked with better mental health. But why? The answer may lie not in who we meet there, but in how we relate to the place itself.
Nature creates deeper connection
The study highlights two key ideas. The first is connectedness to nature. This refers to a sense of being part of the natural world. It is not just about visiting nature, but feeling linked to it.
The second is place attachment. This reflects emotional bonds with a specific location. A lake, a trail, or even a familiar park can become meaningful over time.
Both forms of connection appear to reduce loneliness. But they do so in different ways. Connectedness to nature relates to both emotional and social loneliness.
Place attachment mainly relates to social loneliness, especially when a place also serves as a shared community space.
Activities in nature reduce loneliness
“Strengthening the sense of belonging, not just to other people, but to natural environments and the surroundings, appears to have a protective effect against loneliness,” Hoff said.
This suggests that belonging does not need to come only from other people. It can also come from the world around us.
The researchers looked at common activities around Lake Mjøsa, such as walking, boating, fishing, and simply spending time by the shore. These activities were linked to lower loneliness, but not directly.
Instead, the effect worked through connectedness to nature and place attachment. In simple terms, people felt less lonely when these activities helped them feel connected to nature or attached to the place.
Paying attention to nature
Interestingly, not all activities had the same impact. Gentle, reflective activities such as walking or enjoying the view showed stronger links to nature connection.
More goal-driven activities, such as exercising, showed weaker links.
This pattern suggests that how we engage with nature matters more than how often we visit it. Paying attention, noticing details, and appreciating surroundings seem to deepen the experience.
“When you see yourself as part of nature, you create a sense of belonging to a community,” Hoff explained.
“Many people have previously argued that loneliness only relates to human contact and human communities, but in recent years, several studies have shown that attachment to places and natural environments also have a pronounced effect.”
The power of solitude
One of the most striking findings challenges a common assumption. Activities done alone showed stronger benefits in reducing loneliness.
At first, this sounds contradictory. But solitude is not the same as loneliness. When people spend time alone in nature, they often reflect more deeply.
This reflection may strengthen their sense of connection to the environment.
That connection can then reduce feelings of isolation. In other words, being alone in the right setting can help people feel less alone overall.
However, balance remains important. Too much isolation can still be harmful. The benefit comes from chosen solitude, not forced separation.
Nature offers new solutions
These findings shift how we think about loneliness. The usual focus has been on increasing social contact. While that still matters, it may not be enough.
Nature-based experiences offer another path. They can help people feel part of something larger, even without direct interaction with others.
“Loneliness and a sense of not belonging are major public health challenges. If natural environments are destroyed or become less accessible, it may be costly for society,” Hoff said.
Cities should include nature
This has practical implications. Urban planning can include green spaces that invite quiet reflection. Public health programs can encourage mindful engagement with nature, not just outdoor activity.
Simple practices such as noticing sounds, observing patterns, or appreciating scenery can make a difference.
“Most people can take responsibility for their own well-being, as in ‘this is probably good for me’. But some people may need a little help to help themselves,” Hoff added.
“In addition, municipal authorities should take ensuring that residents have access to natural areas into account in their planning.”
A new perspective on loneliness
Loneliness is often treated as a social problem. This research shows it is also an environmental one. Human wellbeing depends not only on relationships with others, but also on relationships with places and ecosystems.
A walk by a lake, a quiet moment under trees, or time spent watching water move can create a sense of belonging that words cannot fully capture.
“Nature is never far away in Norway, even when you are in the middle of a city, although there is often some sort of urban noise that can be heard when visiting these kinds of natural areas. In many other countries, access to the great outdoors is much more limited,” Hoff noted.
Nature does not replace human connection. But it adds another layer to it. And in a world where loneliness is rising, that extra layer may matter more than we once thought.
The study is published in the journal Health & Place.
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