the correlation between loneliness + illness
did you know that loneliness isn't just a feeling of being alone but that it can actually affect our health. and not just our mental health, but our physical health as well. when we're lonely for a long period of time, it can lead to varying problems that can make us sick. I don’t know about you, but I have had periods in my life of severe loneliness. and it hurts. it feels uncomfortable? and where do you have to express this feeling? not many options so you just sit with the feeling. It’s important to remember to take care of all areas of our health (physical, mental, emotional + spiritual) and it’s up to us to help ourselves when we’re feeling this way. read on to see on how lacking strong connected relationships can affect us in multiple areas of health…
let's break it down:
mental health: loneliness can make us more likely to have mental health issues like depression and anxiety. feeling alone and disconnected from others can make us feel really down and hopeless.
heart problems: believe it or not, loneliness has been linked to heart diseases. when we're lonely, our blood pressure can go up, and we might make unhealthy choices like eating poorly or not exercising. all of this puts a strain on our hearts.
weaker immune system: loneliness can mess with our immune system, which helps us fight off illnesses. when we're lonely, our bodies can have more inflammation, making it harder to fight infections and recover from illnesses.
sleep troubles: being lonely can make it harder to sleep well. poor sleep can affect our immune system, make it harder to think clearly, and increase the risk of problems like obesity and diabetes.
stress and health: loneliness can make us more stressed out, and too much stress is bad for our health. It can lead to mental health issues, weaken our immune system, and increase the risk of conditions like diabetes and stomach problems.
memory and thinking: loneliness may speed up cognitive decline, especially in older adults. it can increase the risk of conditions like Alzheimer's disease and make it harder to think clearly.
unhealthy habits: when we're lonely, we might turn to unhealthy habits like overeating, drinking too much alcohol, or using drugs. these behaviors can harm our physical health and make us more vulnerable to diseases.
remember, loneliness doesn't directly cause these illnesses, but it can contribute to them. it's important to address loneliness by building social connections, taking care of our mental well-being, and seeking support when needed. we want each person reading this to remember that you have a purpose. you are loved. you are not alone, even if it may feel that way at times. don’t forget to do the things you love, and nurture your relationships along the way. take care of your social life. when your social life is in balance, you feel a sense of connection + belonging to something outside of yourself.