27 Dec Social Isolation and Loneliness Can Be Bad for Your Health
Research found that social isolation and loneliness can play a role in amplifying and upping your risks of getting certain medical conditions.
A 2022 Journal of the American Heart Association research found that social isolation and loneliness can have adverse effects on cardiovascular and brain health. However, evidence on the connection with specific outcomes such as heart failure, dementia, and cognitive impairment is not conclusive.
Social Isolation, Loneliness, and Your Health
Loneliness can cause poor health habits. One research noted that people who are lonely are less likely to engage in regular exercise as compared to those who are more socially connected.
Another research found that people who experience loneliness are more likely to turn to binge eating, smoke cigarettes, and use substances to soothe their feelings.
Loneliness can also trigger sleep problems and may increase the risk of depression.
A 2021 research noted that loneliness can increase symptoms of depression, but depression does not necessarily increase feelings of loneliness.
When you experience loneliness, your sleep may be fragmented or disrupted. To get complete hours of sleep, one must feel secure in their surroundings.
Loneliness and social isolation also up one’s risk of chronic inflammation. A 2020 research found that those who are socially isolated have a higher level of inflammatory chemicals. It also noted that our body interprets loneliness as stress, injury, or pain.
Being healthy does not only mean getting the right amount of exercise and necessary nutrition. It also includes being part of a healthy community with the right mindset.
SOURCE:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0149763419308292
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3198207/
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpsy/article/PIIS2215-0366(20)30383-7/fulltext
https://www.nia.nih.gov/news/social-isolation-loneliness-older-people-pose-health-risks
https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/full/10.1161/JAHA.122.026493