Feeling lonely blows, there’s no denying that. But science has stepped in to underline just how much it sucks - hint, it hits more than your heartstrings. Remember that feeling of being picked last in gym class or that cringy moment at a party when you didn't know a single face? Imaging feeling that…always. That's chronic loneliness in a nutshell and it's as fun as a root canal without anesthesia drugs.

Chronic loneliness ain't just a bummed-out mood though; it’s a health and wellbeing landmine according to Professor Angelina Sutin at Florida State University. The lady knows her stuff, considering she spends a significant chunk of her life scanning brains and observing behavior. This brainiac suggests that loneliness can be as detrimental to our health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day or being obese.

The distinction is important: Loneliness isn’t about being alone; it’s about feeling like you're alone. You can be cellmates with a thousand screaming inmates and still feel like the loneliest soul on the planet or happily alone on a deserted island, all depends on your mindset.

Enter COVID-19, the unwelcome party guest who overstays and eats all your good snacks. The lockdowns have been a hard pill to swallow. Sure, hello wrinkles and goodbye abs, but on a more serious note, we’ve seen a drastic spike in the population experiencing loneliness: a 36% increase in the US in 2020, it's no wonder the U.S. Surgeon General released a public health advisory in 2023, calling chronic loneliness a public health disaster.

So, how does chronic loneliness mess with our health? Don’t sweat, we’ve done the homework for you:

1. Firstly, loneliness loves bad company. The lonely club members tend to form close bonds with their couch and TV remote, which brings with it a host of bad habits - eating like crap, skipping workouts, lighting up, and going binge on booze.
2. Goodnight, Sleep? Nope. Get ready for frequent wake-up calls throughout the night. It turns out restful sleep needs a sense of security. Peaceful slumber and loneliness go together like trance music and a meditation class.
3. Welcome to Depressionville: Turns out loneliness and depression are roommates. Increased loneliness establishes a prime environment for depression to move in and make itself right at home.
4. Chronic inflammation: think of inflammation as the body's fire alarm system. When loneliness sets it off without real danger, the body defense mechanisms inflict damage instead of protection.
5. Dementia greets loneliness with open arms. A study led by Dr. Sutin found that adults who reported feeling lonely had a 40 percent increased risk of developing dementia.
6. Lonely hearts turn into sick hearts: Loneliness is linked to a 29 percent increased risk of heart disease and a 32 percent increased risk of having a stroke.
7. Lonely to the End: After triggering a storm of health hazards, loneliness can sadly lead to an early grave.

Overwhelmed? We feel ya. But remember, loneliness doesn’t have to be a life sentence. Reach out, forge connections, and challenge yourself to participate in social activities (virtual ones count TOO!). Connections don't always have to be with humans either! Pets, plants, and even podcasts can help you feel less alone. So, remember to flex your social muscle because every connection counts when it comes to nudging loneliness out the backdoor.