11 Things That Can Happen To Your Mind & Body If You Don't Socialize For A Long Period Of Time PART1

By ISADORA BAUM, CHC Nov 30 2016

There's a fine line between staying in on a Friday night and avoiding social engagements for an entire weekend. While sometimes the body needs rest and solo time, having a social network boosts well-being, and your mind and body can negatively react to not socializing for more than a day at time. It's totally fine to be an introvert, where you're shyer and value alone time more than others, but if you're anxious about being around others or you isolate yourself too much, it might lead to loneliness and a worsened quality of life.

As a certified health coach, I work with clients on finding a healthy, happy balance between work and play, and between alone time and social engagements. According to healthy lifestyle coach Liz Traines over email with Bustle, having a great network of friends and family can boost happiness and health, and it can make you feel more connected to the world at large. When you don't make time for social commitments, it's hard to foster deeper connections with people, and you're at risk of missing out on some really memorable moments and good fun. When you avoid social occasions too often over time, your mind and body can negatively react to the isolation. Here are 11 things that happen to your body and mind if you don't socialize for more than a day.

1. Poor Self-Esteem

"There's quite a bit of research in mice/animals that shows interesting physiological responses of the body to isolation, however I don't like to make a blanket statement until the human studies are published and vetted," says Elizabeth Ann Shaw, MS, RDN, CLT in an email to Bustle. "With that said, I do know from my work history that clients who were continuously isolated day in and day out not only developed a poor body image and self esteem over time," says Shaw.

2. Depression

Shaw says that depression can be associated with isolating yourself and not socializing for more than a day at a time. While you don't need to go out to happy hour every day of the week, it's important to at least chat with co-workers, phone a friend, or attend a fitness class, in order to see people you know and care about during the day. If you don't, your mental health could suffer, explains Shaw.

3. Loss Of Reality

According to Emily Moyer-Gusé, Ph.D., assistant professor of communication at Ohio State University in Columbus, in an interview with Huffington Post, if you stay in too often to binge watch TV shows, games, or movies, and they come to an end, it can trigger depression due to the perceived loss of reality. Deciphering between fiction and personal reality is important, and alienating yourself to tune into media too often can interfere with this brain's mechanism.

4. Increased Tumor Risk

A study at University of Chicago Medical Center reported that social alienation can lead to increased tumor growth, and this can cause abnormal growths and reduction in physical health and longevity. Cancer is really scary, so staying in too often and not making meaningful connections can definitely be worrisome.