5 Health Consequences of Loneliness

Loneliness is often associated with depression, but that’s not the only consequence of feeling isolated from others. Studies have shown that loneliness can also increase your risk of heart disease, diabetes, and premature death, as well as making it more difficult to recover from illnesses. Here are five consequences of loneliness to be aware of as you work on improving your relationships with others.

1) Depression

Many studies have shown that loneliness can increase a person’s risk of developing depression. The more severe your loneliness, the higher your risk is. Feeling lonely once in a while might seem harmless, but it could be a sign that you need to make changes in your life to reduce that risk even further. An easy way to prevent loneliness and its consequences is by surrounding yourself with supportive friends and family members who are upbeat about life.

2) Heart Problems

The latest research indicates that social isolation, whether due to physical or emotional factors, harms cardiovascular health. Indeed, studies have shown a direct correlation between loneliness and increased risk for heart disease and stroke. In one survey of almost 5,000 people aged 52-60 in New South Wales (Australia), there was a fivefold difference in reported prevalence between those who said they had no loneliness symptoms and those who said they were extremely lonely.

3) Poor Sleep Quality

Poor sleep quality is one of many physical health consequences that come with loneliness. While a few nights alone won’t hurt your health, if you find yourself frequently feeling lonely and aren’t sleeping well, it could be a sign that you’re experiencing emotional stress. Speak to your doctor about how to get back on track, as poor sleep can lead to other illnesses or even higher mortality rates.

4) Increased Risk Of Death

A growing body of research shows that loneliness increases your risk of early death. The most recent study, published in Health Psychology, found that social isolation is even more deadly than obesity. Both obesity and loneliness have a significant effect on mortality—particularly for middle-aged and older adults—but social isolation is about twice as bad for you. So if you’re looking to stay healthy as you age, don’t isolate yourself from others: it will only hurt your health more than help it.

5) Bacterial Infections

Researchers have found that loneliness can increase susceptibility to infections and poor health outcomes. Loneliness has been linked to a higher risk for several types of infection, such as viral or bacterial respiratory illness, diarrhoea, skin infections, and even gum disease. That’s because when you feel lonely or socially isolated your immune system is weakened. For example, research shows that after being subjected to a cold virus people who are chronically lonely recover from their infection more slowly than those who aren’t lonely.