If you think that you may get a piece of mind through seclusion, you may be wrong, for researchers have claimed that loneliness can be as harmful to your health “as smoking and obesity”.

A new study has revealed that loneliness not only makes people unhappy but affects their mind also - in fact, it raises blood pressure and stress levels, general wear and tear, and the chances of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

Moreover, the study has found that social isolation reduces a person’s will power and perseverance, thus affecting one’s ability to follow a healthy lifestyle.

According to lead researcher Prof John Cacioppo of the University of Chicago, the difference between a lonely person and a popular person is akin to “a smoker and a non-smoker”.

“Loneliness not only alters behaviour, but loneliness is related to greater resistance to blood flow through your cardiovascular system. Loneliness leads to higher rises in morning levels of the stress hormone cortisol, affects the immune system, higher blood pressure and depression