Over half of Brits feel lonely at least once a month… but are ashamed to admit it, study shows
OVER half of Brits feel lonely at least once a month – but are ashamed to admit it.
A poll of 2,000 adults revealed 56 per cent would rarely or never consider talking to someone else about how isolated they felt.
Advertisement
2
The research was commissioned by audio brand, Pure
Credit: SWNS
Reasons for this included not wanting to burden others (37 per cent), not believing anyone else will understand (21 per cent), and not wanting to appear vulnerable (21 per cent).
This may be a reflection on the strength of their support networks, as a quarter (24 per cent) described theirs as lacking – and a further 13 per cent didn't have one at all.
Instead, those who feel lonely are likely to distract themselves through entertainment, such as watching TV (47 per cent), going on social media (22 per cent), or listening to the radio (19 per cent).
The research was commissioned by audio brand,
Advertisement
Read more on Motors
As part of this partnership and in support of Loneliness Awareness Week, Pure will be donating 150 radios to individuals across the UK who are looking for support through a period of loneliness.
Dr Lalitaa [COR], behaviouralist psychologist and expert in emotional wellbeing, commented: 'Loneliness remains a taboo subject, often shrouded in shame and stigma.
'But human connection is a basic psychological need – one that's increasingly difficult to fulfil in today's fast-paced, digital world.
'It's encouraging to see initiatives like this that provide simple, tangible comfort and help people feel part of something again.'
Advertisement
Most read in Motors
Tara Fisher, COO from Marmalade Trust added: "Loneliness is a natural human emotion that we are all likely to experience in our lifetime.
'But there is still a stigma around loneliness, which means a significant portion of the population are reluctant to speak about these feelings to others – either because they don't feel they have anyone to talk to or are worried about doing so.'
Despite these feelings of shame around loneliness, nearly eight in 10 (79 per cent) acknowledged it as a common phenomenon among the general population.
Women were also found to feel lonelier than men – with only 16 per cent of women saying they never feel lonely, compared to 26 per cent of men.
Advertisement
But perceptions about the generations most affected were not entirely accurate – with 19 per cent of all respondents believing the Silent Generation (born 1928-1945) is impacted the most by loneliness.
However, Gen Zs (born 1996-2011) specifically reported feeling lonelier than any other age group, with one third feeling this way a few times a week and 11 per cent even experiencing this every single day.
This compares to 19 per cent of the whole population dealing with this a few times a week and only six per cent every day.
Worries about being judged (25 per cent) and dismissed (21 per cent) were also higher among Gen Zs – as were desires to socialise more (53 per cent) and make more friends (42 per cent).
Advertisement
This compares to the 'famously lonely' Silent Generation – four in 10 of whom reported usually only going an hour maximum without speaking to someone else.
A fifth of all those asked agreed on one day as the limit for not speaking to another person before feeling lonely – yet 23 per cent go this long, or longer, without talking to anyone regularly.
Regionally, Londoners were most likely to report feeling lonely – with 33 per cent of those living in the capital saying they feel lonely at least a few times a week.
Nearly four in 10 (39 per cent) of all respondents also claimed to feel lonelier now than they did five years ago, primarily because it's now harder to meet people.
Advertisement
Other reasons included changes in personal relationships (23 per cent), financial stress (22 per cent), and lower self-esteem (20 per cent).
The top locations people reported feeling lonely were also established as at home alone (59 per cent), in a crowd (27 per cent), and when having a meal by themselves (26 per cent).
Perhaps to stave off this lonely feeling, over half (52 per cent) are more likely to listen to the radio when at home alone, according to OnePoll.com data.
Other than listening to the news and their favourite music, 38 per cent utilise their broadcast boxes for background noise (38 per cent), company (20 per cent), and making the house feel less quiet (19 per cent).
Advertisement
A further 16 per cent specified listening to the radio helps them to feel less lonely, with 15 per cent liking to hear the sound of other people's voices, and 13 per cent enjoying being part of the conversation.
Stations providing the best company were also identified as pop music (30 per cent), oldies music (24 per cent), and talk radio stations (21 per cent).
Hubert Eiter, spokesperson for Pure, which is donating £5 for every Pure radio sold between June 9 – July 9, 2025 in support of Marmalade Trust, said: 'Pure has been active in supporting loneliness charities over many years and we are proud to partner with the Marmalade Trust this year.
'It's great to see that everyday listening can bring a lot of comfort to people, as it has the power to immediately make a room feel livelier and less quiet – we love the fact that radio is able to provide some company for those who feel lonely from time to time.'
Advertisement
2
Regionally, Londoners were most likely to report feeling
Credit: SWNS
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
5 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
I'm a vet, here's the surprising hidden cause of fur shedding – and how to tackle it
HAVING a dog can be the best thing in the world. They are brilliant companions, get us out and about on walks and generally make a house a home. Advertisement 3 Tackling dog hair can be a nightmare 3 Cat the Vet reveals reason behind shedding But they can also make a big mess - especially if they are a hairy breed. Now a vet has revealed the surprising reason behind why mutts can turn into moulting monsters - and it's nothing to do with the weather. Vileda, the experts behind the Pet Pro cleaning range, has teamed up with pet specialist and influencer Cat The Vet to shed some light on the hairy issue. Cat revealed the main trigger isn't what you expect. Advertisement READ MORE IN FABULOUS She says: "Did you know that light, not temperature is actually the major trigger for shedding? "The changing amount of daylight leads to hormonal changes that impact on the growth cycle of hairs, causing them to either thicken up, or gradually fall out". So, as the days get longer or shorter, your pet's body clock tells them it's time for a new 'do'. Our cosy homes can confuse things even more. Advertisement Most read in Fabulous Breaking Live Blog Cat says: "Ambient temperatures do have an impact which is why some dogs shed far more in the winter because the shorter days are causing their fur to grow but our heated houses are encouraging it to shed." But despite their hairiness, new research from Vileda shows a whopping 64 per cent of women are more excited to see their pet than their partner after a long day at work . INCREDIBLE moment hero vet staff save dog from choking on favourite toy Meanwhile, 70 per cent of pets have their own dedicated spot on the sofa. With our furry overlords so firmly in charge, keeping on top of the fluff is a national obsession. In fact, Brits spend an average of FOUR HOURS a week, or 208 hours a year, on pet-related housework. Advertisement But there are ways to cut down on the creature clean-up. Clare Bolland from Vileda says: "We created the Vileda Pet Pro range to make tackling the inevitable household havoc easier.' When it comes to tackling the sofa and soft furnishings, Clare said: "We know that cuddles on the sofa with our pet can cause havoc when it comes to cleaning fabric couches, which can often cling on to fine strands of fur causing them to look tatty and unclean. "Having the Vileda Pet Pro Electostatic Brush on hand means a quick brush down of the sofa before bedtime will help you keep on top of this task in a matter of minutes – its clever rubber bristles attract and collect pet hair using electrostatic action – and after using it, you can simply rinse it under the tap and use it again and again.' Advertisement Clare also recommends that when mess occurs, it's best to deal with it as quickly as possible: "It's always quicker to clean up a mess while it's fresh rather than letting it sit." 3 Try out the Vileda Pet Pro Electostatic Brush
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- The Irish Sun
Dad-of-two placed into coma after Turkey holiday as chef, 55, ‘caught rare disease from dirty 4-star hotel'
A DAD-OF-TWO has claimed he nearly died after contracting a rare disease from a "dirty" 4-star hotel. Richard Moore, 55, began to suffer from a fever and chest pains after returning from a 6 Richard's family was told he may not survive the harrowing ordeal Credit: SWNS 6 Richard had to be placed into an induced coma Credit: SWNS Richard, a chef, became so ill that he had to be rushed to hospital and placed into an induced coma. His wife and kids were told by Doctors confirmed he was suffering from potentially deadly Legionnaires' disease, Richard needed five days of intense hospital treatment which included antibiotics and an IV drip. Richard, of Blyth, Northumberland, said: "This holiday was meant to be a short break before I started a new job as an executive chef. Read more in News "Instead, it cost me my dream job, my health and very nearly my life. "As a result of the memory loss, I can't recall much of my time in hospital, but when I was admitted, I remember the fear and not knowing what was wrong. "I'm lucky to be alive but it's so upsetting to think my family were told I might not live. "I never realised Most read in The Sun "I wouldn't want to think that other people were going off on a holiday unaware of what they could be walking into. "If there are issues with the hotel then that needs looking at urgently. Mum who nearly died after falling sick in Spain issues warning after anti-sickness pills left her 'acting possessed' "I feel fortunate to have pulled through. However, I do worry that someone else might not be as lucky as I was." Richard and his family paid £2,000 to stay at the four-star Champion Holiday Village in After arriving at the hotel on August 18 last year, Richard said he thought the hotel was dirty, old and dated. He also noticed that the 6 He suffered serious flu-like symptoms after returning from his holiday Credit: SWNS 6 Richard was unable to start at a new job because of the illness Credit: SWNS He said: "I can't specifically pinpoint to one thing but the water temperature fluctuated a lot in the shower. "The bathroom and hotel generally looked run down and the sofa in Days after returning to the UK, Richard began suffering from severe flu-like symptoms. On August 30 he developed chest pains, a shortness of breath and a fever and was He spent a whole month in hospital and has been unable to start at his new job as an executive chef. Richard still struggles with lethargy, weakness and mobility issues linked to Legionnaires' disease. He has now instructed travel illness lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate the cause of his 6 Richard visited Champion Holiday Village in Kemer, Turkey Credit: Champion Holiday Village 6 Richard is now having lawyers investigate the cause of his illness Credit: SWNS Jennifer Hodgson, representing Richard, said: "Richard's first-hand account of his experience at the hotel and contracting his illness is deeply disturbing. "Legionnaires' disease is an incredibly serious condition, and it can take several days from coming into contact with Legionella bacteria before "As Richard has since discovered, the effects of the disease can be long-term. "Nothing can make up for the impact the illness has had and continues to have on Richard, but we're determined to provide him with the answers and specialist support he deserves. "Public buildings, such as hotels and offices, can have complex water systems, so it's vital that all precautions are taken to prevent the bacteria that causes "As part of our work and to assist with our investigations, we would be keen to hear from anyone else who may also have been affected by illness whilst staying at the Champion Holiday Village Hotel, Turkey."
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- The Irish Sun
Over half of Brits feel lonely at least once a month… but are ashamed to admit it, study shows
OVER half of Brits feel lonely at least once a month – but are ashamed to admit it. A poll of 2,000 adults revealed 56 per cent would rarely or never consider talking to someone else about how isolated they felt. Advertisement 2 The research was commissioned by audio brand, Pure Credit: SWNS Reasons for this included not wanting to burden others (37 per cent), not believing anyone else will understand (21 per cent), and not wanting to appear vulnerable (21 per cent). This may be a reflection on the strength of their support networks, as a quarter (24 per cent) described theirs as lacking – and a further 13 per cent didn't have one at all. Instead, those who feel lonely are likely to distract themselves through entertainment, such as watching TV (47 per cent), going on social media (22 per cent), or listening to the radio (19 per cent). The research was commissioned by audio brand, Advertisement Read more on Motors As part of this partnership and in support of Loneliness Awareness Week, Pure will be donating 150 radios to individuals across the UK who are looking for support through a period of loneliness. Dr Lalitaa [COR], behaviouralist psychologist and expert in emotional wellbeing, commented: 'Loneliness remains a taboo subject, often shrouded in shame and stigma. 'But human connection is a basic psychological need – one that's increasingly difficult to fulfil in today's fast-paced, digital world. 'It's encouraging to see initiatives like this that provide simple, tangible comfort and help people feel part of something again.' Advertisement Most read in Motors Tara Fisher, COO from Marmalade Trust added: "Loneliness is a natural human emotion that we are all likely to experience in our lifetime. 'But there is still a stigma around loneliness, which means a significant portion of the population are reluctant to speak about these feelings to others – either because they don't feel they have anyone to talk to or are worried about doing so.' Despite these feelings of shame around loneliness, nearly eight in 10 (79 per cent) acknowledged it as a common phenomenon among the general population. Women were also found to feel lonelier than men – with only 16 per cent of women saying they never feel lonely, compared to 26 per cent of men. Advertisement But perceptions about the generations most affected were not entirely accurate – with 19 per cent of all respondents believing the Silent Generation (born 1928-1945) is impacted the most by loneliness. However, Gen Zs (born 1996-2011) specifically reported feeling lonelier than any other age group, with one third feeling this way a few times a week and 11 per cent even experiencing this every single day. This compares to 19 per cent of the whole population dealing with this a few times a week and only six per cent every day. Worries about being judged (25 per cent) and dismissed (21 per cent) were also higher among Gen Zs – as were desires to socialise more (53 per cent) and make more friends (42 per cent). Advertisement This compares to the 'famously lonely' Silent Generation – four in 10 of whom reported usually only going an hour maximum without speaking to someone else. A fifth of all those asked agreed on one day as the limit for not speaking to another person before feeling lonely – yet 23 per cent go this long, or longer, without talking to anyone regularly. Regionally, Londoners were most likely to report feeling lonely – with 33 per cent of those living in the capital saying they feel lonely at least a few times a week. Nearly four in 10 (39 per cent) of all respondents also claimed to feel lonelier now than they did five years ago, primarily because it's now harder to meet people. Advertisement Other reasons included changes in personal relationships (23 per cent), financial stress (22 per cent), and lower self-esteem (20 per cent). The top locations people reported feeling lonely were also established as at home alone (59 per cent), in a crowd (27 per cent), and when having a meal by themselves (26 per cent). Perhaps to stave off this lonely feeling, over half (52 per cent) are more likely to listen to the radio when at home alone, according to data. Other than listening to the news and their favourite music, 38 per cent utilise their broadcast boxes for background noise (38 per cent), company (20 per cent), and making the house feel less quiet (19 per cent). Advertisement A further 16 per cent specified listening to the radio helps them to feel less lonely, with 15 per cent liking to hear the sound of other people's voices, and 13 per cent enjoying being part of the conversation. Stations providing the best company were also identified as pop music (30 per cent), oldies music (24 per cent), and talk radio stations (21 per cent). Hubert Eiter, spokesperson for Pure, which is donating £5 for every Pure radio sold between June 9 – July 9, 2025 in support of Marmalade Trust, said: 'Pure has been active in supporting loneliness charities over many years and we are proud to partner with the Marmalade Trust this year. 'It's great to see that everyday listening can bring a lot of comfort to people, as it has the power to immediately make a room feel livelier and less quiet – we love the fact that radio is able to provide some company for those who feel lonely from time to time.' Advertisement 2 Regionally, Londoners were most likely to report feeling Credit: SWNS
