“Why Loneliness Creates Health Problems”

If we feel lonely we feel down, it’s no different than feeling sad or depressed. And when we have negative emotion takes over those feelings suppress our immune system and eventually we come down with some kind of disease. This is talked about in all the spiritual texts that we are not to be alone… we are all ONE.

Loneliness Makes Us Sick

First of all, studies show that when we are lonely we have higher amounts of the stress hormone cortisol in our system and that constricts blood vessels and lowers our immune system. And people who have loving people in their lives have more oxytocin hormone and which is called the love hormone that lowers stress hormones. And studies show that oxytocin the love hormone slows down the amygdala part of our brain which causes the fight or flight response and thus helps to mitigate anger, hatred, and other negative emotions.

We Need Social Connections

Second, studies show that the fewer social connections we have the more cancer, heart disease, and strokes and other diseases we have in general.
Social Life Lengthens Our Life Span

Third, studies at Brigham Young University showed that the smaller our group of people that we have around us… the shorter our lifespan. Plus out of over 140 plus studies, it was shown that those who had very few people in their lives shortened their lifespan by up to 50%. - Wow!

We Need Love in Our Lives

Fourth, studies show that when we have direct contact and just hold someones hand our anxiety and tension goes down.

Being Grateful for the People in Our Life Important

Fifth, studies show that if we are grateful for all the people in our life we tend to have less pain and stress. And those who express thankfulness for those in their lives they feel better than those who don’t.

Having a Social Life Helps Us to Take Care of Ourselves

Sixth, studies show that those who are lonely eat more fat, drink more alcohol, smoke more often, don’t exercise and in many cases are obese, and don’t sleep well.

Every Cell Becomes More Efficient With People in Our Lives

Seven, studies show that when we are lonely our cellular processes don’t work well. Every cell in our body becomes inefficient, and thus sooner or later we come down with some kind of disease.

What Can We Do?

It’s important to get out of the house, join clubs (Gardening Clubs, Rose Clubs, Equestrian Clubs, Chess Clubs and more and more), connect with family, find people we enjoy being around, go to the senior center, join a sports team, Join a church or spiritual group, volunteer with some group (Hospitals, Non-Profits, Nursing Homes just to name a few), make dates with friends to do something together. It’s all important.

And it’s talked about in the all the spiritual texts that we are not supposed to be alone… we are to be with other people… so go out and make friends. And if you are afraid to make friends then perhaps some counseling is needed.

Many Blessings to Everyone!

Dr. Paul Haider