Loneliness can be as bad for your health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day, a counselling psychologist has said. 

According to a recent survey by Axa Ireland, 60% of Irish men and 67% of Irish women have felt lonely in the past four weeks. 

In addition, 14% of adults consider themselves to be “struggling” in life. 

Psychologist Niamh Delmar said loneliness is “getting quite widespread” and many are reluctant even to talk about it. 

“A lot of people in the survey said they felt embarrassed about saying they’re lonely - they didn’t want to admit that,” she told Newstalk Breakfast. 

“And it’s as damaging as smoking 15 cigarettes per day, according to the National Institute on Ageing.

“So, it’s quite a serious issue.” 

Ms Delmar said that changes to society since lockdown have exacerbated the trend where people increasingly live their life online - something many enjoy but others feel prevents them developing real connections. 

“[Remote working] suits lots of people but it doesn’t suit other people,” she told Newstalk Breakfast. 

“I’ve had other people come in to me and it just doesn’t suit them. They just feel very disconnected.” 

Snapchat, Instagram and TikTok apps on an iPhone in January 2021. Picture by: Koshiro K / Alamy Stock Photo

It is the same with social media; people might spend much of their lives glued to their phone but Ms Delmar cautioned that it can be a poor replacement for real life. 

“Social media doesn’t always mean meaningful friendship,” she said. 

“There could be lots of friends, but it’s not always meaningful friendships and that’s what leads to loneliness and people feeling isolated. 

“Because people need like minded people and they need meaningful connections.” 

A lonely child.

Lockdown forced people to stay at home by law but more than a year since the last pandemic restriction ended, many people still feel uncomfortable leaving their home. 

“A lot of people haven’t come out after lockdown and loneliness damages confidence, so it makes it harder for people to come out and make that first step,” Ms Delmar said. 

“And also, if someone’s in their own company for too long… they’re going to be in their head a lot - overthinking, ruminating and that can really bring [their] mood down. 

“So, we need to identify people and then we need people just to get out a little bit or reach out to organisations. 

“Age Action do great work - just to kind of get those first steps over, so they can feel a little bit more confident to join other things then.”

Anyone who feels lonely and needs someone to talk to can contact the Samaritans for free at time of the day or night on 116 123.

Main image: A lonely woman. Picture by: Alamy.com