The deadly effects of loneliness.

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When it comes to our physical and emotional health there are the usual suspects we tend to focus on: dieting, exercise, smoking and sleeping.

However we never seem to talk about loneliness, which sadly has just been shown to be as deadly, if not worse than, the negative effects of obesity, smoking and excessive drinking.

Loneliness is now being labelled as big a killer as obesity and smoking. That’s according to new research that examined the lives of three million people. That’s pretty conclusive. For those of us who have ever felt lonely (all of us), it is almost comforting to know that the effects of loneliness are finally being acknowledged.

Lead author of the study, Julianne Hold-Lunstand, told the Express that we need to take our social relationships more seriously.

“The effect of this [loneliness] is comparable to obesity, something that public health takes very seriously. A growing proportion of people across the world are now living alone and at greater risk of isolation,” Hold-Lunstand explained.

The alarming fact is that loneliness can be just as deadly as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. And it’s not just the elderly who are suffering the effects. Increasing numbers of young people are feeling lonely too. So how has loneliness developed from a temporary sadness to a deadly health risk?

Your friends really are saving your life.

The loneliness epidemic is being blamed on our ageing population, high divorce rates and the need for workers to move away from home to find a job.

It seems that those who suffer from loneliness on a regular basis are more likely to die prematurely. Now we need to ask why. Researchers aren’t exactly sure themselves. All they know is that those who suffer from loneliness regularly are more likely to die prematurely and this needs to be addressed.

The study was published in the journal Perspectives On Psychological Science, and study co-author Tim Smith says the link between mental wellbeing and physical wellness is proven, and needs to be addressed. “The more positive psychology we have in our world, the better we’re able to function not just emotionally but physically.”

He says loneliness is reaching epidemic proportions as we become more physically isolated from one another. He stated in a press release: “Not only are we at the highest recorded rate of living alone across the entire century, but we’re at the highest recorded rate ever on the planet. With loneliness on the rise, we are predicting a possible loneliness epidemic in the future.”

Mental wellbeing and physical wellbeing are linked. Check out some of The Glow team's favourite relaxing yoga poses:

5 yoga poses that are totally relaxing

Legs up wall

This pose has a multitude of benefits for your mind and body. If you suffer from arteritis, headaches, high blood pressure or insomnia, the legs up move can be therapeutic. It can also relieve lower back pain and tired or cramped legs, and ease the symptoms of PMS, menstrual cramps and menopause. Added benefit: itll give you an energy boost and help ease anxiety and stress.

Puppy pose

The Puppy pose (best name ever) does great things for your upper body. Itll expand your chest, improve flexibility in your spine, and relieve any tension in your upper arms, shoulders and neck. It also stretches out your abdominals, opens your hips and stretches your hamstring. In terms of wellbeing, doing the Puppy pose will calm your mind and relieve symptoms of chronic stress, tensions and insomnia.

Corpse pose

It sounds morbid, but the corpse pose is the ultimate relaxation pose and will rejuvenate your body and mind. It can physically relax you, help to lower blood pressure, and reduce the symptoms of headaches, fatigue and insomnia. The pose can also calm your brain and help to ease stress and mild depression.

Standing forward fold

This pose positions your head below your heart, so straight away the rush of blood to your head will give you a big boost of oxygen. This has some great results - it can help to ease feelings of nervousness, stress, anxiety, depressions and fatigue, and relieve symptoms of asthma, menopause, headaches and insomnia. Physically, it stretches your hips, hamstrings and calves, keeps your spine strong and flexible, and strengthens your thighs and knees.