Everyone needs social connections to survive and thrive. But as people age, they often find themselves spending more time alone. Being alone may leave older adults more vulnerable to loneliness and social isolation, which can affect their health and well-being.
Health Risks of Loneliness
Social isolation was associated with about a 50% increased risk of dementia. Poor social relationships (characterized by social isolation or loneliness) was associated with a 29% increased risk of heart disease and a 32% increased risk of stroke.
As this example indicates, socialization makes it possible for us to fully function as human beings. Without socialization, we could not have our society and culture. And without social interaction, we could not have socialization.
Social isolation, which happens when a person has little or no contact with others, is a dangerous condition. The form of extreme self-exile has been linked to a host of debilitating health problems, like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and smoking.
Studies show that loneliness and social isolation are associated with higher risks for health problems such as heart disease, depression, and cognitive decline. If you are in poor health, you may be more likely to be socially isolated or lonely.
Research has linked social isolation and loneliness to higher risks for a variety of physical and mental conditions: high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, a weakened immune system, anxiety, depression, cognitive decline, Alzheimer's disease, and even death.
Key points. Socializing with other humans has been linked to better health and a longer life. Two studies published in 2021 found that beyond a certain point, more socializing is not always better. Seeing other people weekly or monthly could be as good for health and longevity, or maybe better, than seeing them daily.
Socializing not only staves off feelings of loneliness, but also it helps sharpen memory and cognitive skills, increases your sense of happiness and well-being, and may even help you live longer.
Spending time in isolation can also cause health problems. Scientists found that a lack of social interaction leads to cardiovascular problems like heart disease, increased blood pressure. It's also associated with higher rates of anxiety and depression and an increased risk of dementia.
One of the greatest benefits of spending time alone is how it helps you develop a better understanding of who you are. The more you know and understand yourself the more likely you are to do things that you love, learn things that interest you and spend time with people who make you feel good.
Defining Chronic Loneliness
You don't have any close friends. The people you see are casual acquaintances you can spend time with, but you don't have a deep connection with them. You experience feelings of isolation even when you're surrounded by other people or in large groups.
Social isolation causes decreased white matter in brain regions critical for thinking and emotional control. Changes in connectivity between the amygdala and frontal lobes is associated with increased behavioral problems.
After all, socializing is a big part of life.
Unfortunately, many people never learn how to socialize properly because of social anxiety, autism, or lack of exposure to proper social skills. Different personalities or personality disorders cause people to feel anxious and uncomfortable in social situations.
Asociality refers to the lack of motivation to engage in social interaction, or a preference for solitary activities. Asociality may be associated with avolition, but it can, moreover, be a manifestation of limited opportunities for social relations.
But connecting with others is more important than you might think. Social connection can lower anxiety and depression, help us regulate our emotions, lead to higher self-esteem and empathy, and actually improve our immune systems. By neglecting our need to connect, we put our health at risk.
New research on well-being conducted by bestselling authors Tom Rath and Jim Harter, PhD, reveals that a robust sense of well-being requires six hours a day of social interaction. Well-being is the sense of contentment and happiness one feels about life, and it makes a difference.
Less than half (43%) socialize with their friends in person on a daily or weekly basis. While many regularly see friends in person, it's still less likely for friends to see each other daily – only 14% say they're coming together to socialize every day.
According to an article in Physiology Reviews, neuroscientists agree that “… humans and their brains and minds are shaped, and normally function, in continuous interaction with other people.” Needing each other is not limited to our inner circles, our families, and our close friends.
Some people naturally prefer time alone and that can be fine. Roughly 50% of the population can be categorized as introverts, meaning they get the most value in life out of time spent on their own.
Feeling alone is a normal, human experience. You can feel lonely when you're by yourself or even when you're in a room full of people. When you don't feel connected with anyone or you feel like no one understands you, you might feel as though you are completely alone even if you're around friends or family.
Socially isolated people have an increased risk of cognitive decline such as impaired concentration, memory loss, dementia, and loss of social capacities.
Loneliness and isolation can result in both mental and physical illnesses. Loneliness has long been linked to mental health problems such as increased stress, anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and low self-esteem. A lack of meaningful social contact can make you feel lonely and detached from others.
Objective social isolation was associated with lower cognitive function and faster decline of cognitive function over time. Loneliness and social network size were not associated with 2-year cognitive decline in depressed patients. Loneliness was associated with 2-year decline in working memory.