Want to Live Longer???

A recent study and report in the journal Perspectives on Psychological Science, tells us that:

• Loneliness and social isolation are significant risk factors contributing to premature death (even suggesting a greater risk than obesity!)
• People under the age of 65 are more likely to be affected than people over 65
• We are at the highest recorded rate of living alone in the entire century in the U.S. and worldwide

 

…and all of this at a time when we have:

• Unprecedented access to social media connections through the Internet
• Record numbers of dating, matchmaking, and singles organizations
• More and more people opting out of marriage in favor of living together and
• Divorce rates are still high!

Does anyone besides me see what’s wrong with this picture?!

 

The loneliest pup in all the land…

 

Human connection with nothing between you and another but air, is a life-giver. We need real, live connections to enhance our lives and give them meaning and joy. My friend, world renowned conservationist, Lawrence Anthony, once said ‘none survive alone.” Based on this study, it appears that this may be a literal expression more than hyperbole.

Previous research by Smith and study lead author Julianne Holt-Lunstad had put the heightened risk of mortality from loneliness in the same category as being an alcoholic or as smoking 15 cigarettes a day, and the new study shows it to be even more of a risk factor than obesity.

What’s the cure: face-to-face connections. Volunteering for worthwhile causes. Helping others. In short, anything that connects you to people where interactive means you’re all in the same room at the same time!

Stay tuned! More later on this subject!

…now making face-to-face connections!