Loneliness: why it matters for health
It’s linked to more heart disease and stroke, as is having little contact with others. About 7 in 100 adults in England feel lonely often or always. The loneliest age group isn’t older people.
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Why does loneliness matter for your health?
Because it’s linked to heart disease and stroke. Studies followed people for 3 to 21 years. Poor social relationships went with a 29% higher risk of heart disease and a 32% higher risk of stroke.
Here, poor relationships meant feeling lonely or having little contact with others. A large review found loneliness went with a 26% higher chance of dying early. The authors put that on a par with other well-known risks.
| Health problem | What the research found |
|---|---|
| Heart disease | 29% higher risk with poor social relationships. |
| Stroke | 32% higher risk with poor social relationships. |
| Dying early | 26% higher chance in people who were lonely. |
| Mind and mood | NHS: may raise the risk of anxiety or depression if it is severe or long. |
| Dementia | NHS: may raise the risk if loneliness is severe or lasts a long time. |
Sources: Valtorta 2016; Holt-Lunstad 2015; NHS
Think of a weather forecast. A higher chance of rain doesn’t mean you’ll get wet. In the same way, feeling lonely doesn’t mean you’ll get heart disease or a stroke. On average, the risk was higher.
These studies show a link, not proof that loneliness is the cause. And the NHS says loneliness can pass.
Felt lonely for a while? Pick one small step from the NHS list further down and try it this week.
What does loneliness mean?
The WHO calls it a distressing gap between the contact you have and the contact you want. Social isolation is different. It means having few people around or little contact, and it can be counted.
So you can live alone and feel fine. And the NHS says many people feel lonely in a relationship or with friends and family.
| Kind | What’s missing |
|---|---|
| Emotional | A close bond, like a best friend or partner. |
| Social | Friends to go out with, or who share your hobbies. |
| Existential | A sense of belonging, even in a room of people you know. |
Source: NHS Every Mind Matters
The NHS says knowing your own reasons can help you manage the feeling. So ask yourself which row sounds most like you.
It can show in how you live too. You may avoid social events, stop cooking for yourself or struggle to sleep. For better nights, see sleep hygiene.
Scared of social events? The NHS lists social anxiety as one cause of loneliness. Lonely even with people around? See feeling lonely around other people.
Who feels lonely most?
In the government’s 2024/25 survey, 7% of adults in England felt lonely often or always. Another 21% said they never did.
The loneliest age group isn’t older people. It’s 16 to 24-year-olds, at 9%. People aged 65 to 74 report it least, at 4%.
Disabled adults (14%) and people in the poorest areas (11%) report it more too.
Big changes often set it off. The NHS lists moving to a new area, job, school or university, retirement, losing someone close, illness or disability, and living or working alone.
Some people only feel it at certain times, like Sundays or Christmas. If that’s you, the NHS suggests putting things in your diary to look forward to.
Is it loneliness or depression?
They’re not the same, but they can go together. The NHS says loneliness that is severe or lasts a long time might raise the risk of low mood or depression.
The NHS line to remember is low mood for more than 2 weeks. That’s the point to see a GP.
Where to get help, from small steps to urgent care
- 1
Small steps
Try one NHS tip this week, like a group or a call.
- 2
Talking therapy
Refer yourself to NHS talking therapies, like CBT. No GP needed.
- 3
Your GP
Low mood for more than 2 weeks, or tips not helping.
- 4
Urgent help
111 if it’s urgent. 999 or A&E if you need help now.
Source: NHS
CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) is a type of talking therapy. You can refer yourself without seeing a GP first.
Not sure if it’s depression? See signs of depression.
How to deal with loneliness
Six NHS steps to try this week
- Tell a friend, family member or health professional how you feel.
- Join a group or class you’d enjoy. You can ask to just watch first.
- Spend time where people are, like a park, a café or the cinema.
- Ask your GP about social prescribing, which links you to local groups and activities.
- Volunteer with a local charity.
- Set small goals, and don’t use alcohol, smoking, gambling or drugs to cope.
Sources: NHS: get help with loneliness; NHS Every Mind Matters
Your thoughts matter as much as your diary. In the strongest trials, the approach that worked best tackled unhelpful ways of thinking about other people and social life.
The WHO lists therapies like CBT as one way to help people build connections.
Scrolling and comparing? The NHS points out that on social media, you usually only see what people want to share.
Getting outside can lift your mood too. See nature walks and stress and mental wellbeing.
When to speak to a GP
Book an appointment if:
- You’ve had a low mood for more than 2 weeks.
- You’re struggling to cope with stress, anxiety or a low mood.
- The things you’re trying yourself aren’t helping.
- You’d like a GP to refer you for talking therapy or social prescribing.
Call 111 or ask for an urgent GP appointment if you need help urgently but it’s not an emergency. Call 999 or go to A&E if you or someone you know needs help right now, or you’ve seriously harmed yourself.
Need to talk now? Samaritans is free on 116 123, day or night. Over 55? The Silver Line is on 0800 4 70 80 90.