Book excerpt: Combat the rising epidemic of loneliness with trustworthy information and advice Loneliness for Dummies helps readers understand loneliness and how to take steps to overcome this unwanted feeling. At some point in life, loneliness affects everyone. It can be triggered by unusual situations and events like children leaving home, losing a loved one, working remotely, moving, divorce, or retirement. It can also occur seemingly without reason. Thanks to this book, you don’t have to be afraid of being lonely. Loneliness For Dummies explains that loneliness is a natural reaction that signals us to make a change. You’ll learn the signs to look out for to assess loneliness, why people feel lonely, and most importantly, step-by-step actions you can take to reduce your feelings of loneliness. Read case studies of people who have felt lonely to see how they overcame loneliness. This book includes a simple scale to help you measure how lonely you feel, so you can identify which changes to make and assess your progress. Learn why people feel lonely, including the situations that trigger loneliness and what this uncomfortable feeling means Discover the signs of loneliness so you can recognize it in others and step in to help Complete a questionnaire to gauge your own loneliness and identify steps you can take to feel less lonely Make changes to your lifestyle that will lead to greater satisfaction in the long run This is the perfect Dummies guide for anyone who is currently feeling adrift without social connections and wants to make a change. Organizations looking for a reference for students or outreach professionals will also appreciate Loneliness For Dummies.