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I read a Guardian article years ago where the United Nations declared loneliness a “global public health concern.”

The US Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, stated that loneliness is as harmful as smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day, and even more dangerous than obesity or lack of physical activity.

He also noted that loneliness affects the elderly, the most, with over “one in four older people” experiencing social isolation in the world.

This condition worsened when COVID-19 uprooted from the world. Lockdowns forced people indoors, cutting them off from loved ones to prevent the spread of the virus via social distancing.

After the lockdown was lifted for nearly 2 years, a new virus cropped up immediately: the loneliness virus.

In a matter of years, we lost touch with people we once spoke to every day. Some passed because of the virus. Some conversations faded. Emotional distance grew. Many of us have developed a resistance to feelings we did not know how to deal with anymore.

In this article, I discuss how harmful loneliness is and how deeply it affects a person’s mental well-being.

The Loneliness Reports

Teenagers and young adults turn to social media to stay connected by posting photos, sharing intimate moments or memories, and staying “in touch.” But the question is: does social media actually keep us connected or disconnected?

During the pandemic, a Harvard-led study found a strong link between isolation and severe loneliness, especially among young adults and parents of young children, as they cope with staying indoors and lose connection with their loved ones and friends.

Richard Weissbourd’s report also found that around 36% of American adults reported chronic loneliness.

Even in India’s most crowded and vibrant cities, loneliness continues to rise. Over 43% of urban Indians report feeling lonely. As the editors of the article, Das & Mehra note, “We appear connected but lack meaningful emotional contact.” This is owing to urbanization, long working hours, and not making time for meaningful emotional connections.

In countries like South Korea, where the elderly population is high, loneliness has risen steadily. Around 40% of seniors report chronic loneliness, with suicide rates increasing with age.

Loneliness is a Silent Killer

Loneliness is a disease that affects how we feel and function in society today.

Physically, loneliness causes stress. People report lacking sleep, and their immunity weakens. You fall sick more often and recover more slowly. Blood pressure rises. According to a Guardian report, “in older adults, loneliness is associated with a 50% increased risk of developing dementia and a 30% increased risk of coronary artery disease or stroke.”

It’s dangerous how severe loneliness can impact the mind of an individual.

Mentally, chronic loneliness leads to anxiety, depression, emotional numbness, and constant overthinking. Solitude makes me more overbearing as repetitive negative thoughts enter my mind. You stop reaching out because it feels safer to expect nothing than to be disappointed again. Over time, loneliness erodes your sense of identity. You forget who you are outside your own thoughts.

What Do We Now?

After seeing the alarming statistics and risks of loneliness as the next silent killer after COVID, must we force ourselves to socialize just to avoid feeling lonely?

Maybe. Maybe not.

Forcing yourself to socialize in spaces where you do not feel understood often makes loneliness worse. The people who don’t get you will judge you, engage in superficial and cheerful conversation, causing you to doubt yourself, which leads to extreme isolation.

Loneliness fades through meaningful connection, not constant superficial interaction. Reaching out to one trusted friend, a family member, or even a therapist can matter more than being surrounded by people who don’t truly listen.

You don’t need a crowd. You just need a few people who feel safe.

Engaging in hobbies you enjoy may not erase loneliness, but it gives you space to express yourself honestly and connect with others who understand you without judgment.

It is clear to us that loneliness is a global health concern.

It affects mental health, physical well-being, and the quality of a person’s life. Unfortunately, loneliness is a temporary phase that occurs during transitional phases of our lives: when people drift apart, when trust breaks, or when we lose our loved ones without warning.

But knowing loneliness is a problem in your life is a brave move towards getting better, towards achieving a path that is filled with hope, happiness, and most importantly, connection.

There is light at the end of the tunnel, but the journey to reach it will not be fast and easy. But with patience, honesty, and real connection, it is possible.

It won’t be easy, fast, or satisfying, but it will be worth it in the end.

All the best for your journey ahead!

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