We all know that being lonely does not feel good. But, at the same time, most people do not think of being lonely as something that can actually physically hurt you… they would be wrong. Humans are not solitary animals, we do not enjoy being alone for extended periods of time, we crave companionship. When humans are denied any form of companionship for long periods of time they can start to suffer from various issues which will impact their quality of life, and in some extreme cases could even shorten their lifespan. We are going to talk about a few of the negative effects of loneliness that can negatively impact a person’s lifespan and their quality of life.
Increased risk of suicide and depression
Extended periods of loneliness are associated with an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and an increased risk of depression. People need fulfilling relationships to keep themselves mentally healthy. If someone is unable to form or maintain fulfilling relationships with others, then they will start to eventually blame themselves. People who cannot form relationships with others will start to feel that they are worthless or that they are unloved, which can then lead to depression and suicidal thoughts. Now, depression alone may not lead to a shorter lifespan, but it can certainly lead to destructive behavior like drug abuse, overeating, and alcohol abuse, which certainly can shorten your lifespan.
Reduced sleep quality
Sleep is extremely important for both your physical and mental health. It is when a person is sleeping that the body takes the time to start healing, both physically and mentally. But, loneliness can reduce the quality of a person’s sleep. A person who has intense feelings of loneliness will be more likely to be restless during the night, which reduces the quality of sleep. Those who are lonely also find it harder to fall asleep at a normal time.
Increased stress levels
People suffering from loneliness experience increased stress levels. Things that would normally only cause a small amount of stress in a regular person, will cause far more stress in a lonely person. Increased stress levels are directly related to numerous health issues that can impact both a person’s quality of life and their lifespan. For example, increased stress can cause high-blood pressure, which then leads to strokes and heart attacks.
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