Despite the advancement of technology which aims to make us more connected than ever before, more and more of us are feeling lonely. It turns out that even with their ability to facilitate our communication with one another, social networking sites can actually intensify our feelings of loneliness.

As social media highlights, we don't have to be alone or friendless to experience loneliness. It's not necessarily the absence of physical connections but more commonly the absence of meaningful social connections. And it's not just young people that are susceptible to feelings of extreme loneliness. In the elderly it has dramatic impacts on physical and mental health and wellbeing too.

According to experts, one in four of us are affected by loneliness and if it goes unaddressed it can lead to depression, decreased quality of life, the breakdown of relationships and an increase in the possibility of an early death.

So, what changes can we make to our lives now before loneliness takes hold? Below are three simple ways in which we can start to tackle the issue of social isolation.

Join a befriending group

It can be hard to open up to others about feelings of loneliness but there are special groups out there which work to bring people who feel lonely into contact with others. Befriending groups usually operate by organising activities for local residents and matching scheme participants with "befrienders" who they interact with on a regularly over an extended period. Their aim is to reduce the amount of time that group members spend on their own and they've been successful in providing companionship for elderly people.

Phone a friend

Sometimes a phone call to a friend or family member is all we need to alleviate feelings of isolation. A phone call is a great way to make a connection with someone at short notice. It's less intrusive than popping around unannounced and we can use it to make face-to-face plans for a time which suits both parties. It can be hard for people who are experiencing a significant level of loneliness to pick up the phone so if you know someone who is prone to loneliness give them a call every now and then to check in.

Take up a social hobby

There are clubs for practically every activity you can think of so there's bound to be one that interests you. You can find information on what's available in your area by searching in your local library, newspaper, community centre or online. There are even companies which match volunteer dog sitters with dogs and their owners. So this option might suit you if you're looking for a cute and fluffy companion to spend some time with.

When it comes to loneliness, the important thing is to talk about it. This can be hard but once you open up about it you can work to change it. Plus, you never know if someone else is feeling the same and chances are they are, or they have done in the past.