On Friendship Day 2025, Expert Reveals Why Loneliness Is Deadlier Than Smoking, Can A Good Friend Be The Cure?

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It's not always the cigarettes, the sugar, or the sleep-deprived nights that break us down; sometimes it's the silence we carry alone. Loneliness isn't just about being without people; it's about being unseen, unheard, and emotionally stranded even in a crowd.

The World Health Organization (WHO) Commission on Social Connection has released its global report revealing that 1 in 6 people worldwide is affected by loneliness, with significant impacts on health and well-being. Loneliness is linked to an estimated 100 deaths every hour, more than 871 000 deaths annually.

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The same report mentions that strong social connections can lead to better health and longer life.

Also, the U.S. Surgeon General has compared its deadly impact to smoking 15 cigarettes a day, revealing just how deeply social isolation can damage both the heart and the body.

The ache of isolation often goes unnoticed until it weighs on your heart, disrupts your sleep, and quietly chips away at your immunity. But what if the antidote to this invisible epidemic is something as simple and as powerful as a genuine friend?

On the occasion of Friendship Day 2025, Boldsky explored this often-ignored public health crisis with Subhash HJ, Counsellor and Mental Health Educator at Vasavi Hospitals, to understand whether the antidote to loneliness lies not in medication, but in meaningful human connection.

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Can Good Friendships Prevent Depression, Anxiety, Or Burnout?

The pressure to stay productive, present, and perfect can leave even the strongest among us feeling emotionally drained in this fast-paced, hyper-competitive world. But amid the hustle, one quiet force stands as a powerful antidote: a true friendship.

'Strong friendships offer something that's often missing in our lives, a safe, judgment-free space to simply be human. For those battling loneliness, the absence of emotional ventilation becomes a silent burden. Thoughts spiral, emotions fester, and slowly, burnout, anxiety, or even depression begin to take root. But the presence of a close, trusted friend can shift that entire internal landscape,' says Dr Subhash.

When you speak your heart to someone who listens, not to judge, but to understand, you begin to feel seen, heard, and unburdened. That emotional release, that sigh of relief after a heart-to-heart, is more than just comforting. It's healing. In that moment, your body responds by releasing neurotransmitters like oxytocin and serotonin, chemicals that naturally elevate mood and soothe stress.

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'Even just sharing a laugh over a bad day or discussing common goals with someone who "gets it" can act as a reset button. This isn't just feel-good talk; it's biology. Talking to a close friend literally rebalances your brain's chemistry,' he adds.

Over time, this emotional safety net becomes a powerful shield against chronic stress. It reduces the emotional weight you carry alone, buffers you from burnout, and protects your mind from spiralling into deeper anxiety or depression.

So yes, a strong friendship might not come with a prescription slip, but its healing power can be life-changing. Sometimes, all it takes to begin feeling better is someone who looks you in the eye and says, "I'm here. Talk to me."

Social Connection Can Heal You Emotionally And Physically

On asking how social connection or the lack of it affects our stress hormones, immunity, or cardiovascular health, Dr Subhash says, 'social connection isn't just good for the soul, it's healing for the body too. A warm hug, an honest conversation, or simply sitting beside someone you trust can boost oxytocin, the "love hormone" that makes us feel safe and cared for.'

This emotional comfort lowers cortisol, the stress hormone that, when chronically high, can disrupt heart rhythms and keep the body stuck in a fight-or-flight mode. In contrast, strong friendships slow the heart rate, ease anxiety, and even strengthen your immune system. Feeling seen and supported doesn't just lift your mood; it protects your health, balances your hormones, and restores restful sleep.

Socio-Economic Groups And Loneliness Related Health Issues, Who Is At Risk?

Dr Subhash says, 'loneliness doesn't discriminate, but certain groups feel its weight more deeply.

a. New mothers, adjusting to a life of constant care, often feel isolated when they can't find trusted, non-judgmental support.

b. Migrants, students, or employees who've moved to new cities for work or study carry silent struggles in unfamiliar surroundings.

c. Elderly people, especially those in rural areas, widows, or widowers whose families live far away, face a haunting kind of emptiness. It's not the number of people around them that matters, but whether they feel understood and safe.

d. Also, those from broken homes or harsh upbringings often feel emotionally stranded in a crowd.

Well, loneliness isn't always loud. Sometimes it whispers in sleepless nights, quiet dinners, and smiles that don't reach the eyes. It doesn't just break hearts-it weakens them.

This Friendship Day 2025, let's not just send messages or share posts; let's show up. For the friend who always says, "I'm fine," for the neighbour who eats alone, for the colleague who's always quiet.

A genuine connection can be the difference between despair and healing. Because sometimes, the most powerful medicine doesn't come from a pharmacy, it comes from a friend who chooses to stay, listen, and love without conditions.