Loneliness steals your livelihood (and your health)

If the COVID-19 crisis taught us one thing, it’s this…

Social connections are crucial for both our health and well-being.

Even before the pandemic, mounting evidence linked social isolation and loneliness to poor health and a higher risk of early death.

And the evidence keeps piling up…

A positive immunity booster

According to a new study, strong social bonds are essential for good health.

After all, these bonds actually boost our immune system, which helps stave off disease.

To understand how or why this happens, researchers analyzed proteins in blood samples.

(Our genes produce molecules called proteins, and they’re essential for helping our bodies function properly. That’s why many drug therapies target certain proteins.)

They compared these proteins to participants’ social isolation and loneliness scores.

(Examples of social isolation are more objective and can include things like living alone, having limited social contact with others, and shying away from social activities. Meanwhile, loneliness is a subjective measurement based on how an individual feels.)

Researchers identified 175 proteins linked to social isolation and 26 linked to loneliness. And there was a huge overlap—85 percent of the proteins associated with loneliness also appeared in those who were socially isolated.

But get this…

Most of these proteins are triggered by inflammation or infection—part of our immune system’s defense against disease.

Rebuild your relationships

Upon further analysis, researchers highlighted five proteins that seemed to be directly linked to feelings of loneliness. One of which is called ADM, which isn’t too surprising.

See, previous studies have linked ADM to our stress response. Plus, this new study also linked higher ADM levels to decreased activity in a part of the brain involved in emotional, reward, and social processes.

Moreover, another protein—ASGR1—is correlated with higher cholesterol and an increased risk of heart disease. And the other proteins are connected to the development of insulin resistance, atherosclerosis, and even cancer progression.

Wow! This is incredible science. While it’s not yet clear how to apply this clinically, I find it fascinating to see how psychology directly influences biology. And this is just the tip of the iceberg.

So, if nothing else, allow this to be your motivation to stay connected. Rebuild those social relationships, starting TODAY.

Join a book club. Sign up for cooking classes. Video chat with family and friends. Go hiking or start a walking group. You might even consider adopting a pet!

There are so many different ways to build social connections. All it takes is a little bit of dedication.

Source:

“Loneliness linked to higher risk of heart disease and stroke and susceptibility to infection.” ScienceDaily, 01/03/2025. (sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/01/250103125029.htm)