Why Loneliness Is Bad for Your Health

I think that there is a critical need to make this information widely known amongst Western Culture. I have watched the impact of being alone on my own health, and even to the degree where I have monitored my blood pressure after being with groups of people for several days vs. being alone for an equal time period. I notice that my blood pressure returns to normal after I am not isolated. Since it is so commonplace in the West for so many people to live alone, it is no wonder to me why there is such a problem with obesity, hypertension and heart disease. Myself, I am not obese, eat a great diet, and yet the stress of loneliness has left me with hypertension in only a few years. When I bring up to friends and associates that my lifestyle of 'living alone' is a threat to my health, I am often met with being told I'm crazy; because I'm not obese, don't have obvious financial stress, and so on. I am told, "your problem is in your head" - well yes of course, why would I really want to live alone. It appears that the Western perception of "health" is based on the obvious - diet, one's weight, and external factors. However, I think the majority of the population has at least some connection with at least their families on a continuous basis. To be in need of human contact is perceived as a negative aspect in one's personality, or "neediness". The fact is, humans are social animals, and our biology is designed for social life. I wish more people would accept that loneliness is real, and that there is nothing healthy in living completely in independence. No one is completely independent. I wonder why such an obvious thing such as loneliness is overlooked when one's health is assessed.

Julia of MI 1:51PM January 02, 2012

I'm a 58 yr.old female..well, in 2 weeks I'll be 58..just a number. I've been married twice and loved being married, until it wasn't working any longer. None the less, I've been fortunate to have loved and been loved, without regret. I've been divorced since 1996.

Enjoying the company of all different types of people, "being alone" was never a concern.

I loved my work as a Dental Hygienist...now retired, and miss the constant activity I was always engaged in.

I never had a problem going out alone, having dinner alone, or even traveling alone...until the past 5 years.

Even though I'm interested in many different things, I only have "moments" in life when I feel the happiness of things around me, then instant "pain of isolation" because there is not even a superficial friend to share the moment with!

I've attempted classes of interest at the University, but everything requires non-human contact; predominantly, computer based, which only escalates the solitude.

The process of basic communication seems to becoming more obsolete, and the depression triggered from this lonliness is consuming me.

When I'm out food shopping and feel a sense of contentment being amongst people, I'm very social (as I always had been), without being intrusive, and somehow, when I get back in my car, the isolation overwhelms me into a state of uncontrollable crying.

Deep inside I know that if I had a friend, close by, or a male companion, that I could immediately leave this state of abyss and carry on with enthusiam from that moment.

Being that I feel like there's still this youthful person inside of me that can't wait for the next adventure, just makes the whole situation that much more painful! I don't want to be alone anymore and have no fears about sharing my life with someone.

When I think about it,I haven't been "intimately" hugged since 2006...that can make the isolation that much more palpable.

I never worried or thought about the future (which is NOW); the moment, whether being in love or being alone was always "fine."

But, if this make any sense, the MOMENT has lasted too long without any "real" human connection.

Not hearing someone's laughter from the soul can be deafening! But I know I'll survive...I just cry more than I ever thought that I could...and hold on to those few moments when I forget how "lonely" I am, as opposed to being alone.

I still entertain realistic dreams...hope to move to Costa Rica or other new cultural environment to learn new things and give something as well....warm weather and sunshine...and just listening to different sounds.

Regardless, lonliness can be lethal in a sense that you want SO much to live,but your insides are dying.

I want laughter back in my life.

Diane DeVojoli of FL 11:45PM May 15, 2011

Mhm ithink that we do need these types of social connections Because if we have connections will help us alot and take the Stress and make us fell Much better to talk to other people and Make new Friends and we couldnt survive whitout social connections

maria of TX 9:43AM May 21, 2010

Yes, I do agree that lonliness is very detrimental to your health. It also acompanys other things: Such as depression, anxiety, and despair. Many individuals that are what much of the world considers ( oddballs) are truely people that do not desire to isolate themselves from others but by being overwhelmed by some of the things listed above makes this person feel this way. Everyone needs someone that they can connect to. Just by having a connection with others can drastically decrease depression, anxiety and the feeling of other horrible interferances in life.

If you know someone that does'nt socialize with you or with others, try not to stereotype the person as being cold or but perhaps they just need someone to help them get out of their shell.

Brian of NY 3:32PM January 18, 2010