Loneliness Is More Hazardous to Your Health Than Obesity or Smoking

This isn't a story or a poem. This is real life. I'm writing this because many friends and family members I know are suffering. This problem has become drastically worse since 2020. We all know why...

Loneliness plays a role in many chronic health conditions, including pain, drug or alcohol abuse and depression. Recent studies have linked loneliness to an increased risk for Alzheimer's disease, heart attack and stroke, and lower survival rates for breast cancer patients. Studies have also shown that people who are lonely are more likely to experience:

Higher levels of stress
Poor sleep
Increased inflammation
Reduced immune function

An estimated 42.6 million Americans over the age of 45 suffer from chronic loneliness, and census data reveal more than 25% of the U.S. population live alone. Why is loneliness becoming an increasingly prevalent experience? According to researchers, common reasons include:

Long work hours
Use of social media surpassing face-to-face interaction
Frequent travel for work
Living far from family
Delaying and/or forgoing marriage

Strategies to address loneliness:

Join a club
Learn a new skill
Consider a digital cleanse
Exercise with others
Shop locally
Talk to strangers
Volunteer
Move or change jobs
Have lots and lots of sex

If you or someone is suffering with loneliness, please reach out to them. Make a change for them & yourself.