Social Isolation and Loneliness:  It is human nature to live in harmony with other humans. To share our sorrows and happiness with each other, but nowadays people have started living away from each other. In this digital age, people are easily becoming victims of loneliness.

The problem of loneliness is on the rise

Not just us, but the World Health Organization is also saying this. According to WHO, around 25% of the elderly and 5%-15% of teenagers around the world are struggling with loneliness. These figures are a cause of concern because loneliness significantly increases the risk of diseases and death.

Proteins also have a connection with loneliness

Loneliness is a feeling that can hollow us from inside. Due to this, the risk of many diseases increases in people. To understand more about this, recently the University of Cambridge and Fudan University published a study in Nature Human Behavior. In this study, an attempt was made to understand the proteins present in our genes.

These proteins also increase inflammation

Let us tell you that proteins control our genes and hence medicines often target these proteins. This study found that 5 types of special proteins are associated with the feeling of loneliness. That is, people who feel more lonely have more of these proteins. Not only this, these proteins increase inflammation and also affect immunity.

Let us know what impact loneliness can have on mental and physical health.

Loneliness and mental health

Loneliness is the biggest threat to mental health. It can lead to depression, anxiety and other mental disorders. When we feel lonely, our brain produces stress and anxiety hormones, which harm our mental health.

• Depression- Loneliness is the biggest cause of depression. When we are alone we feel more depressed.
• Anxiety- Loneliness promotes anxiety. In loneliness we worry about the future and our anxiety increases.
• Social disconnection- Being alone for a long time makes people shy away from talking to others and they become socially isolated.

Loneliness and physical health

Loneliness not only affects mental health, it also harms our physical health.

• Heart diseases- Loneliness increases the risk of heart diseases. Due to loneliness, pressure on the heart increases, due to which the pressure on the heart can increase.
• Weakening of immunity- Loneliness weakens our immune system . Due to which we can easily fall ill.
• Sleep problems- Loneliness can also cause sleep problems. We are unable to sleep in loneliness and feel tired.
• Stroke: Loneliness can cause high blood pressure, which increases the risk of stroke .
• Diabetes - Loneliness can increase inflammation, which increases the risk of type 2 diabetes.

How to prevent loneliness?

• Get involved in social activities – Spend time with friends and family, meet new people, and join in group activities.
• Develop a hobby – Develop a new hobby that will keep you busy and help you meet new people.
• Read – Reading books is a good way to keep yourself busy and gain new knowledge.
• Do yoga and meditation- Doing yoga and meditation reduces stress and improves mental health.
• Take help from a therapist – If you are troubled by loneliness, then take help from a psychologist.

Remember that loneliness is not a disease, but it can cause many diseases.