Loneliness profoundly affects the brain and body, and in December this impact tends to intensify. While the end of the year is culturally associated with reunions, celebrations, and emotional connections, many people feel quite the opposite: a feeling of emptiness, disconnection, and isolation.
This phenomenon is no longer perceived as simple emotional discomfort but is now recognized as a public health problem, with effects comparable to those of classic risk factors, such as obesity and substance use.
In the United States, an official warning from the Department of Health and Human Services, published in 2023, already highlighted that chronic loneliness represented a significant health risk, even before the pandemic.
During the holiday season, this subjective isolation, when a person feels that their connections are insufficient, can become even more intense.
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Why does loneliness weigh more heavily at the end of the year?
According to neurologist Anelise Daiane Caprine, from the São Marcelino Champagnat Hospital, loneliness is not limited to being alone. It is a gap between desired and actual relationships, involving emotional, social and existential dimensions.
Even people surrounded by connections can feel a lack of purpose or belonging, especially during symbolic dates.
Neurologically, the brain interprets loneliness as a state of constant threat. This mechanism activates the brain’s amygdala, increases cortisol levels and reduces neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin, essential for well-being, motivation and mood balance.
The result is chronic social stress which results in persistent emotional suffering.
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