LONELINESS AND YOUR HEALTH

Being lonely is as bad for your health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day, according to international research. A study carried out by US psychology professor Julianne Holt-Lunstad in 2010 found that feeling socially isolated can have the same effect on mortality as wellknown risk factors like obesity and cigarette smoking.

Other research has shown that loneliness is associated with an increased risk of high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke, depression and anxiety, and cognitive decline.

One study found that lonely people have a whopping 64% increased chance of developing clinical dementia, which is thought to be partly due to a lack of mental stimulation.

According to a study by the University of Otago, Christchurch, around one in five older New Zealanders is lonely. Researcher Dr Hamish Jamieson, who carried out the study with Dr Sally Keating, says they wanted to understand how many people are affected because of the effect loneliness is thought to have on health.

“Interactions with friends and neighbours are important, and can help older people maintain their sense of independence and sustain the ability to look after themselves,” he says.

“In contrast, loneliness can make many health conditions worse, including pain, depression, anxiety and respiratory conditions.”