Researchers from the University of Vienna have discovered that an eight-hour period of social isolation can lead to a decrease in energy levels comparable to going without food for the same duration. This phenomenon, observed in both laboratory settings and during COVID-19 lockdowns, highlights that individuals who are more sociable experience greater fatigue due to social isolation. The study indicates that reduced energy might be a human response to the absence of social contact, akin to biological reactions elicited by food deprivation.
Conducted with 30 female volunteers, the research involved evaluating stress levels, mood, and fatigue across scenarios of isolation, food deprivation, or both. The findings were corroborated by data from 87 participants during the lockdown in Austria and Italy. Results showed that both social isolation and food deprivation lowered energy levels, suggesting that low energy may signal a craving for social interaction. This aligns with the “social homeostasis” theory, proposing a homeostatic system regulating social needs. The study underscores the immediate psychological effects of isolation, emphasizing that personality traits and contextual factors influence vulnerability to isolation’s effects. Further research is urged to identify individuals at higher risk due to social isolation.
