Treat regular social contact as part of health maintenance, not only something to seek when distressed
Social isolation was associated with about 30% higher mortality odds, loneliness about 25% and living alone about 30%, with larger associations under 65. These are observational findings: poor health can also make people isolated.
What it takes
Some spending and meeting time. Initiate contact even when you feel fine.
What you may gain
A meta-analysis of 70 prospective studies included 3.4 million people followed for an average 7 years. After adjustment for measured factors such as age and health, weighted mortality odds ratios were 1.29 for social isolation, 1.26 for loneliness and 1.32 for living alone—roughly 30%, 25% and 30% higher odds. The magnitudes were similar and larger under 65 than among older participants.
Context & considerations
Disputed because observational associations do not resolve causality: poor health can reduce contact and increase solitary living. Authors compared the scale with smoking and obesity, but randomized evidence that increasing social contact lowers mortality was not provided. This complements Chapter 3's advice to reduce draining relationships: retain those that restore you.
Research & references
Holt-Lunstad J, Smith TB, Baker M, Harris T, Stephenson D (2015). Loneliness and social isolation as risk factors for mortality: a meta-analytic review. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 10(2), 227-237. https://doi.org/10.1177/1745691614568352