On behalf of the Techniker Krankenkasse (largest health insurance company in Germany), 1,403 adults were asked the following question last year: “How often do you feel lonely?” and “What illnesses and health complaints do you suffer from?“
Here are the answers of those who feel lonely often (4%) or sometimes (13%) (first) and the answers of those who feel lonely rarely (41%) or never (42%) (second):
- Stress, exhaustion: 65% / 36%
- Lack of energy, fatigue: 64% / 33%.
- Depressed mood: 54% / 15%
- Sleep disturbances: 48% / 34%
- Breathing difficulties: 20% / 10%
IBN Comment: The frequency of the mentioned illnesses and health complaints is alarming, a causal connection with loneliness is undisputed. However, as with other studies (such as on sleep disorders), we believe that there are probably other causes, such as poor indoor climate, pollutants, electromagnetic pollution, lack of light, noise, urban planning deficiencies, and much more.
Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation: The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on the Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community (2023):
Image: ©Die Techniker, www.tk.de