A recent Gallup survey reveals that over 23 percent of people worldwide felt lonely "a lot of the previous day," highlighting a significant global issue. The survey, published on Wednesday, also found that those experiencing loneliness often suffered from physical pain, worry, sadness, stress, and anger.

Psychiatrist Sue Varma, M.D., speaking to CBS News, emphasized that loneliness is not just an emotional issue but a serious medical problem. "It's the equivalent of having somebody smoke 15 cigarettes per day, and we know that it affects our mind and our body," Varma stated. "It predisposes us to anxiety and depression. It increases our risk by 30 percent for heart disease, for stroke, 50 percent for dementia, and 60 percent for premature mortality."

Varma suggests combating loneliness by evaluating the quality of relationships. "Look at the quality of your relationships and say, 'Do I feel seen and validated and appreciated?'" she advised. "We want to have a mix of micro connections -- talking to the barista, talking to your dog walker -- but also deep and meaningful connections in your life, where you can feel vulnerable and open up to share."

The survey also indicated that loneliness is particularly severe among young Americans compared to older ones. Varma noted the pressures on younger generations, stating, "It's really unfortunate that as much as we want our children to succeed, the emphasis I feel is being put on academic achievement. And for kids, they're looking at financial achievement and a lot of these goals, these milestones that were possible for us years ago, aren't possible for them, mixing in climate change, war."

Young people today feel alienated and disconnected, with traditional sources of support like friends, parents, and coaches becoming sources of stress due to competitive pressures. To alleviate this, Varma recommends scheduling social interactions like medical appointments, emphasizing that "the quality of our life depends on the quality of our relationships."