Loneliness and its Surprising Health Cost

Amy Taylor April 07, 2015

It is fine to be ‘lonely’ at times. But if your loneliness has been going on for weeks or months now, you should start taking it seriously and seek professional help as soon as possible. A growing body of research suggests that loneliness is just as serious as smoking, lack of exercise, hypertension, and obesity.

Loneliness is an invisible epidemic that affects millions of people worldwide. Whilst everyone feels lonely at some points in their life, chronic loneliness is a serious mental health issue that needs to be addressed. According to John Cacioppo, neuroscientist at the University of Chicago who conducted a study on chronic loneliness, the effects of social isolation or rejection are as real as thirst, hunger, or pain. Basically, loneliness puts your body on the “flight or fight” mode. “The brain goes into a self-preservation state that brings with it a lot of unwanted effects.”

Loneliness may alter gene expressions

Cacioppo’s research suggests that loneliness actually alters gene expressions, and increase the stress and aging on the body. Such toxic combination can impair cognitive performance, raise the risk of inflammatory and vascular disease, and compromise the immune system. A 2012 study published in the JAMA International Medicine, concluded that loneliness increases the risk of mortality by 45 per cent and the chance of developing dementia in later life by 64 per cent. Meanwhile, an earlier study, published in 2010 in the journal Plos One, found that people who have strong ties to family and friends are as much as 50 percent less at risk of dying over any given period of time than their lonely peers.

Another research by Brigham Young University suggests that the health risks associated with loneliness are similar with that of well-established health risk factors, such as obesity, substance abuse, injury and violence, and environmental quality. Because of the overwhelming evidences, the study authors proposed that social isolation and loneliness be added to the list of public health concerns.

“Feeling lonely” is different from “feeling alone”

Just because you have plenty of friends, it does not mean you cannot be lonely. Feeling lonely is different from being alone. For some people, even though they have a huge social circle, they still experience internal loneliness. It is not therefore the quantity of friendships or social ties that matter. What is more important is the quality of the relationship. Having meaningful interactions with a few friends is more fulfilling than having less meaningful interactions with a lot of people.

What to do when you are lonely

Overcoming loneliness is possible. And it can be easier with the following self-help tips:

Recognise that it exists. First off, you need to recognise and accept the fact that you are lonely. Many people choose to deny their loneliness, which makes things worse. Next, understand what it is doing to your mind and body. Is loneliness preventing you from living a normal life? Is it making it difficult for you to reach out to others? Is it the reason why you are losing interest in your hobbies? By psychological complexities of loneliness, you are at a greater edge of fighting it.

Respond properly. How do you respond to loneliness? One great strategy is to connect to the right people. Social media is not a good substitute for face-to-face interactions. Invite your best friend for a cup of coffee and spend more time with your family. By reaching out to these people, you are slowly easing your loneliness. A therapist can help too, especially if loneliness is accompanied by depression or anxiety.