Experts: Loneliness is as dangerous to health as smoking half a pack of cigarettes a day or obesity

Scientists at Harvard University came to unexpected conclusions after studying the causes of physical and mental well-being among adults, which lasted as much as 85 years. According to Dr. Peter, researchers believe that loneliness is as dangerous to health as smoking half a pack of cigarettes a day or obesity.

The research project began back in 1938 with the participation of 724 people. Now 1,300 descendants of those guys are already participating in the research project. For the authors of the work, the conclusion they eventually came to was a big surprise, trying to find out what exactly influences the physical and mental well-being of an adult the most.

Harvard research director Robert Waldinger said the researchers followed the first participants throughout their lives, collecting data on physical and mental health from adolescence to old age. And then we decided to see what the most important reasons could have been for those who felt happy and healthy at the age of 80.

“We thought that cholesterol or blood pressure at 50 would be more important, but no. Satisfaction with their relationship, especially marriage, was the best harbinger of a happy and healthy life,” he said. – At first we did not believe – we were wondering how this is possible. I thought: “It makes sense that if you have a happy relationship, you will be happier, but how can the quality of your relationship increase or decrease the likelihood that you will get coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes or arthritis?” Maybe this is not a real find, accident. Then other research groups began to find the same thing. Now this is a very reliable discovery. It is well known that interpersonal connections and the quality of those connections do affect health as well as happiness.”

The best hypothesis, for which there is good evidence, he says, is that it’s about stress and the regulation of stress by our relationships: communicating with loved ones helps us calm down and relax. If a person does not have close people with whom to share, he is isolated, then his body after stress remains in a kind of “low-level struggle” mode – stress hormones continue to circulate in him, a higher level of inflammation, which eventually wears out many body systems .

At the same time, wealth, fame or high achievements – even the mere fact of receiving the Nobel Prize – cannot make a person happier.

“In our research, we see that everyone needs at least one solid relationship, someone they feel they can count on in times of need,” the expert says.

He added that loneliness, isolation is stressful.

“Many people do not feel safe when they are alone. If you are alone and you are satisfied, this is different,” he emphasized. “But if you’re lonely and feel stressed and lonely, that’s part of what’s destroying your health. That’s why we think loneliness is as dangerous to health as smoking half a pack of cigarettes a day or being obese.”