Likewise, the medical journal warned that ongoing deficits in social connections leave individuals more vulnerable to loss of life from nearly any cause.
A deeper analysis
After studying 458,000+ people for more than a decade, BMC Medicine noticed some telltale signs.
First, a lack of visits from friends and family tracked with the 39% uptick in premature death risks. On top of this, people who missed out on these visits – yet still spent time with other individuals – also remained vulnerable to earlier deaths.
This indicates that having genuine connections with loved ones carries more weight than just spending time around other people without any shared intimacy. The quality of the bonds one shares with others ultimately matters more than generic exposure to other human beings.
Finally, BMC Medicine revealed when people consistently go without healthy social connections, they can face stress, medical problems, and higher levels of vulnerability to unhealthy habits, such as excessive drinking, smoking, and sedentary living.
