Why loneliness is increasingly becoming a major health risk

Lack of meaningful human interactions can initiate depressive thoughts and feelings (Photo: Courtesy)

 Loneliness is defined as a state of being alone, and feeling sad about it. But it is also possible to feel lonely when in the company of others, especially when you aren’t very interactive.

The effect of loneliness on health has long been known, but has recently been magnified by social isolations that have been occasioned by the ongoing viral pandemic. So what happens when one is lonely? The main link to poor health is the association with mental illness.