Research has shown that loneliness not only causes mental distress but also threatens physical health.
According to the study, loneliness is linked to arteriosclerosis, which causes high blood pressure, and to inflammation in the body. It can also lead to problems with learning ability and memory. Furthermore, when loneliness becomes prolonged, it alters the immune system, disrupting the production of antibodies and weakening the body’s defense against viruses. In fact, socially isolated individuals have been found to have a higher risk of developing cancer, infectious diseases, and heart conditions compared with those who are not isolated.
Coworkers we work with, friends we spend time with, and the family we live with—all are precious people who protect us from loneliness.