That’s one heck of a concerning statistic.
In truth, loneliness is something we all experience. And we’re often told to embrace this loneliness as a chance to grow. However, researchers are finding that doing this too much could actually be detrimental to your health.
Study after study shows that loneliness carries with it the ability to make you sick. In fact, the Campaign to End Loneliness says that loneliness can be as dangerous as smoking and being overweight.
So just why is loneliness so dangerous?
For starters, loneliness can have an effect on the immune system. In fact, one study concluded that the immune system can actually change due to excessive loneliness.
Researchers found that not having enough interaction with others can alter the genes that drive inflammation. This may explain why those who are socially isolated have a higher risk of developing heart disease, viral infections, and even cancer.
"What this study shows is that the biological impact of social isolation reaches down into some of our most basic internal processes — the activity of our genes," says Steve Cole, an associate professor of medicine in the division of hematology and oncology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and a member of the Cousins Center for Psychoneuroimmunology, in an article published in the UCLA Newsroom.
"We found that changes in immune cell gene expression were specifically linked to the subjective experience of social distance," says Cole in the article. "The differences we observed were independent of other known risk factors, such as health status, age, weight and medication use. The changes were even independent of the objective size of a person's social network."
Social isolation can also increase the risk of death. In fact, a study conducted by Brigham Young University and published in Perspectives on Psychological Science concluded that loneliness can increase the risk of death by 26 percent.
Those involved in the project find this statistic to be extremely concerning. “This is something that we need to take seriously for our health,” Brigham Young University researcher Julianne Holt-Lunstad, an author of the study, told Time. “This should become a public-health issue.”
Other research suggests that loneliness can increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. In fact, one study found that the risk of Alzheimer’s disease was more than twice as high in people who are lonely compared to those who aren’t. In addition, those who feel lonely may experience faster cognitive decline in relation to the disease than those who are not lonely.
Unfortunately, the health-related issues associated with loneliness don’t stop there. Loneliness has also been shown to have an effect on systolic blood pressure (SBP). Researchers studied 229 individuals of different races between the ages of 50 and 68. The study concluded that higher levels of loneliness correlated to greater increases in SBP during the course of four years. This means that becoming too lonely over a long period of time can actually put a person at risk for later cardiovascular issues.
So what should be done if someone is experiencing loneliness?
The problem with loneliness is that it breeds more loneliness. Left unchallenged, it starts to take on a life of its own. Consequently, an individual may feel as if he or she just don’t want to try. This is when depression sets in.
To counter this possibility, it’s essential to make an effort to become involved with others. That means forcing oneself to go out and do things even if not feeling up to it. To do this, it can be helpful to create a strong action plan in terms of how to start to increase social interaction with others.
“When you talk about loneliness, you want to come up with a way to involve yourself with other people who have similar interests and ideas as your own,” says Christopher Holly, a practicing social worker based in Illinois.
Holly says that a good way to start this process is to get involved in civic activities. “Look at putting yourself out in the community. There are people who like to participate in book clubs or civic organizations that make them feel like they’re a part of things, and in doing so, they get to know other people.”
Another way to get involved with others is to attend a church or synagogue. “Religious or spiritual interaction also opens up a great deal of community that is valuable to a lot of people,” says Holly.
Even if someone doesn't follow one particular faith, he or she can still find ways to become spiritually involved. Consider looking out of the box in terms of what spirituality means to oneself.
“The hard part of it for a lot of people is that they think of spirituality having to be church,” says Holly. “The idea is not to create a sense of judgment, but to create a sense of openness and community. In the society that we have, there are a lot of different ways of thinking and believing.”
Yet another option is to seek out artistic organizations. “Involving oneself in the arts, music, or dance can also be helpful,” says Holly. For those who aren't lovers of the arts, consider joining a gym and participating in group fitness classes. Gym-goers tend to be very social and open to new attendees.
It’s also important to note that professional guidance may be needed to overcome loneliness in general. “If you find that you’re reaching out and participating in activities and you’re still feeling hopeless, helpless, or worthless, it’s time to seek out the help of a professional,” says Holly. “Talk to your primary care physician or look for a psychiatrist or social worker in the community. They can offer cognitive behavioral therapy or medication that can be helpful in alleviating the stress if it is a biochemical or mental health issue.”
Just remember not to judge oneself for seeking help. Professional guidance is nothing to be ashamed of.
“The stigma associated with outside help usually develops when people are worried about being perceived as weak or incapable,” says Holly. “If it’s a mental health issue, that’s not something that you choose. It’s something that happens to you. You don’t control getting the flu or diabetes. The same goes for mental health issues.”
Remember, for those feeling lonely, you’re in good company. Take the first step in expanding your social circle. Your life may depend on it.