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Loneliness is becoming an epidemic, with 40% of Americans identifying as alone. It is linked to physical, emotional, and psychological problems, and isolated individuals are more likely to die within seven years. There is no single cure, but creating more structure and forging new bonds can help. Being in a meaningful relationship is a better cure than superficial friendships, and even married individuals can feel lonely. Chronic loneliness increases the likelihood of dying young by 14%.
Loneliness may not be considered a disease, but with all its symptoms, perhaps it should be. And like many powerful, unaddressed diseases, loneliness is spreading to epidemic proportions. In the US alone, 40% of Americans self-identify alone. About 40 years ago, the percentage was half that. Feeling isolated is linked to a range of physical, emotional and psychological problems, from a weakened immune system and higher stress levels to a higher risk of stroke and heart disease. An analysis of 3.4 million Americans determined that isolated individuals, especially those in middle age, are more likely to die within the next seven years than people who are not isolated. And while the problem is clearly serious, addressing it is just as problematic. Many factors can contribute to someone’s isolation, so there is no single cure. Dr. John Cacioppo, a psychology professor at the University of Chicago, has been working on ways to combat the problem. He believes a great first step is to get people to reconsider how they interact with others. From there, creating more structure can help a lot. This may include forging new bonds with others by learning a new skill or sharing an experience.
The Struggle for Loneliness:
Being in a meaningful relationship is considered a better cure for loneliness than having many more superficial friendships.
Single people aren’t the only ones alone; an estimated 60 percent of married individuals feel lonely.
Studies have found that chronic loneliness results in a 14% increase in the likelihood of dying young.
