It turns out that loneliness may be deadly, so make friends when you can. Scientists have discovered that being lonely can be twice as unhealthy as obesity and that feelings of isolation can have a devastating impact on older people.
"Loneliness is a risk fact for early death beyond what can be explained by poor health behaviors," said John Cacioppo, director of the Center for Cognitive and Social Neuroscience at the University of Chicago, in an interview with USA Today. "Feeling lonely isn't only happy; it's unsafe."
The researchers tracked more than 2,000 individuals who were at least 50 years old. Over the course of the six year study, the loneliest of the subjects were twice more likely to die than the least lonely, according to TechTimes. In fact, compared with the average person, those who reported being lonely had a 14 percent greater risk of dying, according to The Guardian. This means that loneliness has about twice the impact on an early death as obesity.
"People underestimate the importance of sharing good times with friends and family," said Cacioppo in an interview with Fox News. "What's really important is companionship and mutual assistance and protection. Having high-quality relationships with a few people is one of the keys to happiness and longevity. The stresses and challenges of life are more easily endured if we can share them with someone in whom we can confide and trust."
The study reveals the importance of having social interaction as part of our daily lives. As we get older and retire, it's crucial not to lose touch with others. Instead, make a point to interact with others nearby and don't lose contact with colleagues.
"It's time we took loneliness seriously as a threat to a happy and healthy later life," said Caroline Abrahams at Age UK who was not involved in the study in an interview with The Guardian. "This is a big part of our job at Age UK and everyone can help by being a good friend or neighbor to the older people they know."
