Loneliness is now highest among working-age adults and closely linked to low mood, low self-worth, anxiety, depression, lowered immune health and heart disease. Yet social connection is still often missing from wellbeing conversations.
Decades of research show that strong social connection is the single most important factor for a long, healthy and happy life.
The Harvard Study of Adult Development found that the quality of your relationships predicts wellbeing more strongly than income, status or lifestyle.
Data published by the journal Heart, shows that loneliness, social isolation or both are associated with a 29% increased risk of heart attack and 32% greater risk of stroke. The risk is similar to that of light smoking.