How Social Isolation Can Shorten Life

A few years ago, the surgeon general of the United States rang the alarm on loneliness by stating that it is as deadly as smoking 15 cigarettes a day, and more dangerous than obesity [1].

Loneliness is a subjective experience. In contrast, social isolation is more measurable, as it refers to the objective lack of relationships. Events like the loss of a loved one or a job, relocating to a new city, experiencing health or financial struggles often lead to social isolation. While many people choose to live alone at least part of the time, others, particularly the elderly, are forced by circumstances beyond their control to live confined to their homes. Due to chronic health conditions, hearing loss and visual and mobility impairments [2], social isolation among seniors has been linked to negative physical and mental health outcomes, including a higher risk of dementia, heart disease, depression, anxiety, and suicide.

On the other end of the spectrum, over a third of male secondary school students surveyed spend five hours or more daily on electronic devices. Female students spend significantly more than five hours a day on social media [3]. When you speak to a friend on your smartphone, you are not really ‘in touch’. Far from it.

Social isolation and loneliness are associated with reduced physical activity, reduced sleep quality, increased smoking and drinking [4].

Although loneliness is often perceived as a form of mental distress, it actually affects the entire body and changes in the body affect how you feel. It’s not just in your head.

An early study published in 1992 showed that coronary heart disease patients who were not married and did not have a confidant had a significantly higher 5-year incidence of mortality (50 percent) than that observed in patients with a spouse or partner (18 percent) [5]. Marriage was associated with greater high-frequency heart rate variability (HF-HRV) [6] and happy marriages were associated with even greater HF-HRV [7] HF-HRV directly measures parasympathetic control of the heart.

A recent study on students who relocated to a foreign country indicated that within the first five months of arrival, lower social integration was associated with a decreased HF-HRV. These results suggest that variations in autonomic nervous system function, as reflected by HF-HRV, could play a crucial role in linking social integration to overall health [8]. Social integration refers to the process of individuals becoming connected and engaged within a community or social group. It involves forming relationships, participating in social activities, and feeling a sense of belonging.

Perceived social isolation negatively impacts the physical health of both humans and animals, leading to the activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, the body’s response to stress, and an increase in depressive behaviors [9]. Social isolation and socioeconomic stress have been associated with enhanced inflammation and an impaired immune response [10].

Researcher Tanya Nguyen's work shows that higher levels of social support are associated with gut bacterial diversity and vice versa. Most surprisingly, people who were more social were rated wiser than the loners. They were healthier and happier. Bacterial diversity is definitely beneficial. But which came first: prosocial behaviour or gut diversity; the chicken or the egg? Also, I don’t know how the researchers measured wisdom. Despite these uncertainties, the findings mark progress in understanding the connection between the gut microbiome and psychosocial factors, which play a crucial role in health [11].

Most people feel lonely when they are alone. But you can also feel painfully lonely when you're with people, too. When that happens frequently, loneliness—like depression, with which it can be associated—can chip away at your self-esteem and erode your sense of who you are.

Our society encourages sociability. Many people measure their self-worth by the number of “friends” or “followers” they have on social media. Being alone is not valued. It’s admitting a kind of social bankruptcy. You conclude: "no one likes me." However, being alone does not have to be a curse. It can be an opportunity.

I am aware that the above makes me sound like some aging Pollyanna who just wants to pretend that all is sweetness and light. That is not the case. I believe we need to find a balance between nourishing our sense of connection with each other and learning to be comfortable being alone. Activities and practices that promote purpose and meaning in life are crucial to a person’s well-being [12].

Loneliness Essential Reads

Why Loneliness Statistics Are Less Reliable Than You Think

Loneliness Is Not an Epidemic

With very little effort, one can volunteer at food banks, hospitals, libraries, the Red Cross, or play games on the internet with others like chess or bridge, or join a political party or a place of worship. There are hundreds of online interest groups—a friend of mine enjoys belonging to the Richard III Society, the objective of which is researching and reassessing Richard III. The list is really endless. The important thing is to reach out even when it feels uncomfortable. You need to tell yourself again and again, "this is for my own good."

Ask yourself: What aspects of deep loneliness have I experienced? What can I do to prevent it happening again? How can I help others out of their loneliness?