The impact that loneliness can have on your health – both mental and physical – may be surprising to many. Loneliness is a growing epidemic in modern society, yet generally receives little attention. As well as involving a sense of social isolation and lack of meaningful relationships, loneliness has been associated with various adverse health outcomes.
Loneliness is as bad for you as smoking 15 cigarettes a day!
Apparently loneliness is as bad for you as smoking 15 cigarettes a day, and is more damaging for health than obesity and physical inactivity according to a top US health official. There has been a call in the US for growing social isolation to be treated as a public health threat as serious as obesity or drug abuse. Shockingly, medical studies had found that about half of all American adults were affected by loneliness, with the crisis exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Here in the UK, loneliness is also a significant issue with increased association of a greater risk of cardiovascular disease, dementia, stroke, depression, anxiety, and premature death. Some 45% of UK adults say they feel occasionally, sometimes or often lonely. People who are over the age of 50 and female tend to have the highest levels of loneliness.
Loneliness and its link to diet
According to Nutri Link, studies undertaken across the EU show that socially isolated people have a high risk of poor or inadequate diet. They are also likely to consume an excess of refined and processed foods with all of the associated risks.
Loneliness has been found to heighten the stress response. It can also do much harm by impacting immune and metabolic regulation, potentially affecting glycaemic control, weight, metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular function, cognitive function and mental health.
How do we address loneliness?
It’s obviously helpful, if it’s possible, to increase social and family support, look at emotional eating and unhealthy eating behaviours and supplement nutrients as required. However, this is sometimes easier said than done. Connecting socially with others who may be in a similar position and who share similar interests can certainly potentially ease loneliness and isolation. Working with a coach can make a difference too, offering hope for change and providing tools to move you forward from feeling stuck in your current situation.
Loneliness, mental health and grief
Experiencing mental heath issues, such as depression or anxiety, or going through a bereavement, can lead to isolation and loneliness. Loneliness is often part of grief, particularly where there has been the loss of a partner.
As a wellbeing coach and as a holistic grief coach, I can support you if you’re experiencing loneliness and help you to see the possibility of a way forward. And if loneliness is affecting your physical health too, as outlined above, then I can help as a nutritional therapist. Please don’t hesitate to contact me to find out more: vanessa@wellbeingandnutrition.co.uk
You can read more about grief coaching, wellbeing coaching and nutritional therapy here