'Unloneliness Project' Hopes To Help Those Feeling Disconnected

DETROIT (WWJ) - Do you feel lonely? If so you're not alone.

WWJ's Dr. Deanna Lites reports studies have shown that loneliness and social isolation can have a negative effect on your physical and mental health.

Even with all of the ways to connect over social media more than a third of American adults are lonely — and there's a new program hoping to help.

"It's about feeling less connected to other people," explained Dr. Jeremy Nobel who launched the Unloneliness Project, "as if you don't count; as if you're story doesn't matter."

Dr. Nobel says the best way to reduce that lonely feeling is by being creative. Whether that's through art, music, cooking, sewing or something else.

And, he said, it's best if you can share your creative outlet in a variety of ways.

"Connecting face to face may be the most powerful way," he said. "And we are also very impressed with recent studies showing that online virtual connectivity, when designed well, can provide similar benefit in terms of reduction of loneliness and isolation."

[To learn more about the Unloneliness Project, visit this link].