Studies show that older adults who are lonely see a decline in their thinking abilities, which is rapid if paired with other factors like physical inactivity, anxiety, poor sleep and high blood pressure.

Prolonged social isolation is a kind of mental stress leading to various mental and physical health issues like faster ageing, dementia and cognitive decline. It has also been linked to the factors that lead to Alzheimer’s disease, like a build-up of certain toxic proteins in the brain.

• The negative impact of prolonged loneliness can be curbed with maintaining high-quality relationships and social activity.
• How we manage our feelings and relationships is important for our brain’s health.
• Self-care is an essential component of our mental a...