This 1 lifestyle factor is more dangerous than alcohol and obesity, warns health expert
This 1 lifestyle factor is more dangerous than alcohol and obesity, warns health expert
A health educator recently shared one health concern that is dangerous than obesity, alcohol and lack of physical activity. He also shared that the impact of the same is equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes in a day.
Shreya Garg
August 31, 2026 / 16:38 IST
Loneliness can severely impact mental as well as physical health. (Picture: AI generated)
- Loneliness is a major health risk.
- Impact of loneliness equals smoking 15 cigarettes daily.
- It raises heart disease, immunity, mental health risks.
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A viral Instagram post by Dr Eric Berg, a health educator, recently shared the one thing that he thinks is more dangerous to lifespan than obesity, physical inactivity, or alcohol. It is loneliness. Chances are, a lot of you will probably also concur with this observation of his. Dr Berg added that loneliness’ impact on health is equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day
He also wrote, “your body cannot heal in an environment of isolation.” In the caption, Dr Berg highlighted how lonelinessis a fixable issue. He wrote: “And it’s one of the more fixable issues, like with a standing weekly dinner, a walk with a neighbor, or saying yes to the thing you’d normally skip.”
It is true that loneliness harms physical and mental health. To know how, read on
Health impact of loneliness
Increased cardiovascular risk
Chronic isolation triggers systemic inflammation and raises stress hormones like cortisol, elevating blood pressure. Over time, this significantly increases the risk of heart attacks, stroke, and heart disease
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Dr. Eric Berg DC (@drericberg)
Also read: BJP politician Smriti Irani’s secret soup recipe helped Mira Kapoor battle anaemia, see full recipe
Weakened immune system response
Prolonged loneliness alters gene expression in immune cells, leaving the body less capable of fighting off viral infections. This persistent strain prevents natural healing and prolongs recovery times
Higher risk of depression and anxiety
Without a supportive social buffer, daily stressors accumulate rapidly and overwhelm the brain. This lack of meaningful connection frequently leads to chronic anxiety, low self-esteem, and severe depressive episodes
Accelerated cognitive decline
Social interaction acts as exercise for the brain, keeping neural pathways active and engaged. Isolated individuals experience faster cognitive aging and face a significantly higher risk of developing dementia
Disrupted sleep quality and fatigue
Feeling isolated triggers a subconscious sense of unsafety, leading to fragmented, restless sleep patterns. The resulting lack of deep sleep causes chronic physical fatigue and lower daily cognitive resilience
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FAQs on loneliness
Q. What is the difference between being alone and feeling lonely?
Being alone is the physical state of being by yourself, while loneliness is the emotional distress felt when your social connections do not meet your needs
Q. How does chronic loneliness affect your physical health?
Persistent loneliness can trigger systemic inflammation, elevate stress hormones, and raise the risk of cardiovascular disease, dementia, and a weakened immune system
Q. Is loneliness considered a mental health condition?
Loneliness itself is not a diagnosed mental illness, but it acts as a major risk factor for developing clinical depression, anxiety, and severe emotional distress
Q. Who is most at risk of experiencing chronic loneliness?
It can affect anyone, but young adults navigating life transitions, older adults living alone, and individuals undergoing major personal losses are at the highest risk
Q. What are simple ways to overcome everyday loneliness?
You can reduce isolation by scheduling regular calls with loved ones, volunteering in your local community, or taking daily walks with a neighbor
Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific health diagnosis
Shreya Garg is a journalist with over 6 years of experience at leading media houses. She writes extensively on lifestyle, health and things that are trending on the internet.
first published: Aug 31, 2026 04:38 pm
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Shreya Garg
