How Dangerous Is Loneliness, Really?

Loneliness isn’t much fun, but it might also be harmful to your heart—not just in a metaphorical sense, but your actual physical heart, as well as some of your body's other functions.

Hosted by: Hank Green
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[muffinpuncher]

I used to think that the worst thing in life was to end up alone. It's not. The worst thing in life is to end up with people who make you feel alone. -Robin Williams

[ThePhoenixpaw]

Loneliness shortens ones life? That's ... good to know. Means my suffering will be shorter than expected.

[wardenm]

As someone who once spent a couple years homeless, I can say without a doubt that the hardest part wasnt the sleeping outside, or the eating out of the trash, or stressing over safety... it was waking up each day, knowing without a doubt that no one, no where, gave one damn whether you lived or died. And that feeling never really goes away, not entirely. Loneliness can have a PROFOUND impact on our mental, emotional, and physical health... and most certainly not in a good way.

[rudra]

The thing about loneliness is that while it appears to shorten your life, it certainly makes it SEEM longer!

[pinecone]

Yep, I definitely needed to know that my loneliness isn't just complete and utter suffering, but that it also is slowly killing me, yaaay D:

[CamaroAmx]

My problem is that I was always alone as a child. Eventually I got used to it. When I eventually tried to interact socially, I failed. So back into my own world I went. Eventually I made friends but they never stuck around. I got so used to bring alone, I didn’t want socialization. Once in awhile I’d try socialization but I still felt alone, even in a crowd, even if I was with people I knew. Now the only kind of socialization I get is work. If I go out, I stay by myself. Now I’m getting older and really have no friends. Due to my lack of socialization over the years, I have few social skills. All of this led to depression. Health issues have further isolated me as well. I’ve now accepted to a degree that many certain “life events” will never happen to me.

[tonym.]

Sometimes I feel as if I’m going to loose my mind from loneliness, sometimes I drive to Walmart or the Supermarket just to be around people, this is def not easy

[justaguyontheinternet]

I've been lonely my entire life. It'll never change. Ill probably die of a heart attack in the shower at age 35. And I just don't even care anymore. Hope y'all have a nice life.

[noweaponshallprosper]

Loneliness physically hurts terribly.


Intense pain.

[Dookie]

One thing I've learned about being lonely, is that if you are a loner for a long enough time, you become more stringent on how you measure people worthy of being in your life. Isolation becomes so normal and grounding that if it's anything less than a perfect person, they're not worth the effort of flipping the coin.

[rntt]

I'm 33 and I'm the loneliest I've ever been in my life. I don't have any friends, and I haven't had a girlfriend in over ten years. I really wish it would change...

[brokenacoustic]

I've been with friends and I've been on my own,
but I'm never lonely, when I'm alone.
But some people need it,
someone to call home.
But I'm never lonely,
I'm just alone.

[drzilt]

Waw turns out i really am dying on the inside

[cloverhighfive]

I've read somewhere that a reason we get caught up in fandoms is because the brain doesn't differentiate between real friendships and the ones we fantasize of having. Something along those lines. So being caught up in your favourite show and favourite characters/actors does provide a break from loneliness.

[MajaElise]

I love that you guys always end these videos with something encouraging to people who may experience it and never fail to mention that people can reach out for help

[Im-Not-a-Dog]

I use the YouTube comment section to curb my loneliness.

[xcolonist]

Honestly it feels like a constant downwards spiral. It just never ends.

[LucMMailloux]

Good luck to everyone suffering from loneliness. In my experience, you either get lucky and someone helps you, or you muster up the strength to keep trying no matter the pain involved. Is it worth it? I don't know, as it's failed me so far, but the alternative is to give up, and that's a rough time I do not recommend. Keep at it.

[grandmastergyorogyoro]

Would like to add my two cents here, just what I have observed.
Lonliness is when deep emotionally we have need for some love and affection, and that need not being met.Then it becomes difficult.its not a thought in mind, but comes from a deeper place from within.

[Fuar]

Loneliness isn't being there with no people. It's being there with people who don't understand you.

Like literally not having a single person there for you but you interact socially with everyone.