CONFINED to a solitary life? Don’t let it KILL you [Seniors beware]
We’re over a year into self-isolating… quarantining… locking down… or whatever you want to call it…
And if you’re like me, you’ve practically FORGOTTEN what it’s like to socialize!
We’ve been so focused on STAYING infection-free… and NOT CONTAMINATING our friends and loved ones…
That there’s something we might’ve NEGLECTED in the process.
Our need for human contact!
And the OLDER we get… the MORE we need our social circles.
This isn’t some “New Age” hooey – because there’s some SOLID science backing up how loneliness can put us in the crosshairs.
Here’s what you need to know about the risks of feeling lonely over the long term.
Not only that, but I’ve got some tips on how to feel LESS lonely… and MORE connected… even if you can’t get “out there” and socialize just yet.
One of them may surprise you.
Live longer… by ‘curing’ loneliness?
Your loneliness may not be KILLING you, per se…
But a lack of companionship and meaningful relationships isn’t doing your health any favors, either.
Back in 2018, the chief medical officer for behavioral health for health insurer Cigna sounded the alarm that the loneliness “epidemic” had begun RIVALING more widely-accepted health risks…
Like smoking and obesity!
And that was nearly 2 YEARS before we were ordered to stay at home!
As one former U.S. surgeon general stated, rates of loneliness have DOUBLED since the 1980s…
But there’s NO pill that can make you feel less lonely.
So it’s no surprise that the mainstream just IGNORES this condition…
Despite the fact that lonely folks are MORE likely to suffer from cognitive decline… immune system problems… heart disease and stroke…
And may even land in an early grave.
A 2017 report revealed that social isolation… loneliness… or even just LIVING alone could boost premature death risk…
And AT LEAST AS MUCH AS obesity.
On the contrary, the AARP found that loneliness was HALF as likely in older folks who self-reported “excellent” health as compared to those in “poor” health.
Now, you know that you’ve got to stay in touch with your family and friends… and LESSEN the gap in that enforced “social distance”…
Even if that means foregoing the in-person visits and instead calling on the telephone… writing letters… or learning one of those fancy new video chat tools your grandkids have been telling you about.
But there’s something else you can do – a secret that those with LOWER “loneliness scores” share.
It may seem UNRELATED to your social life…
But clinical research CONFIRMS what people who are less lonely are saying.
Get plenty of quality sleep!
Sure, feels of isolation may keep you up at night…
But according to a 2018 study out of UC Berkeley, the connection between the two works in the OTHER direction, too.
A lack of restful sleep can make you FEEL more disconnected and isolated… and make you ACT more withdrawn!
And the more you RETREAT from social interaction… the lonelier you could become… and the more sleep you could LOSE!
It’s a vicious cycle – but it’s one that you can STOP, starting tonight.
If you need a little help making sure your sleep is UNDISTURBED, try using natural sleep aids like melatonin… 5-HTP… ashwagandha… hop oil… and more.
To making and keeping connections,
Melissa Young
