United States Surgeon General Vivek Murthy recently called loneliness an epidemic, and issued a public health advisory on the healing effects of social connection and community.
The report warned of the considerable adverse effects of loneliness and social isolation comparing it to other leading risk factors for premature death such as smoking, obesity, elevated blood pressure and high cholesterol.
Loneliness and social isolation can be harmful
In my work as a social and behavioral epidemiologist, I have studied how social and community connectedness shapes health outcomes, ranging from HIV to substance use.
For example, my colleagues and I have previously shown that social isolation is associated with a 48 percent increase in odds for premature death, and that lonely people have 71 percent higher odds of reporting fair or poor health.
Other researchers have also documented the havoc that loneliness wreaks on individuals, showing that lonely and isolated people have poorer immune function, experience higher levels of inflammation, and are at greater risk for heart disease, cancer and diabetes.
While everybody's vulnerability to loneliness and social isolation differs, we all need social connection. Perhaps just as importantly, Harvard research from the longest-running cohort study ever conducted suggests that warm social relationships are the most important predictor of happiness across the life course. In other words, people who are disconnected lead sicker, sadder, and shorter lives.
Public health guidelines
Bu hikaye Heartfulness eMagazine dergisinin August 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Heartfulness eMagazine dergisinin August 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
A Flower from THE HEAVENS
November 14 is Children's Day. This year, SARA BUBBER brings to you a world of forests, magical flowers, festivals, and some animals you may have never seen.
Meeting Phenomenal Women
The author, CHITRA BANERJEE DIVAKARUNI, is interviewed here by TARA KHANDELWAL and MICHELLE D'COSTA about her books on mythology, like The Palace of Illusions, which is a retelling of the Mahabharata from Draupadi's point of view, and The Forest of Enchantments, which is a retelling of the Ramayana, from the eyes of Sita. And there's The Last Queen, which is about Rani Jindan's life.
HERBAL TOOTH POWDERS: Rediscovering Ayurveda's Natural Secrets
SRAVAN BANDA presents a natural herbal tooth powder, offering a holistic approach to oral hygiene, harnessing the power of medicinal herbs.
The Dance of Light and Shadow Lessons from the Dolomites
ALAIN DESVIGNE explores the Dolomites, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2009.
FINDING OUR WAY
A Polynesian Explorer's Journey of Discovery
The First Imprint: Understanding PTSD
CHRISTIANNA DEICHMANN is the Director of Education at the Association for Pre and Perinatal Psychology and Health (APPPAH), where she educates both professionals and parents on fostering the most nurturing environments for welcoming new life into the world.
The Tipping Point
In this final conversation of the series, J. FREDERICK ARMENT continues to talk with CHRISTINE JONES about promoting peace in the world.
UNLOCK YOUR POTENTIAL
Take The Brighter Minds Path To Cognitive Development
The Intrinsic Goodness of the Heart
DAAJI shares some thoughts on heartfelt acceptance and all it has to offer. He says, \"It is the heart's intrinsic goodness that allows us to accept everything as part of us.
How Does Fear Affect Our Roles as Mothers? - Neelam Shivhare explores some of the great ancient texts of India on motherhood, compares the behavior of Kaikayi and Yashoda
Neelam Shivhare explores some of the great ancient texts of India on motherhood, compares the behavior of Kaikayi and Yashoda, and realizes the importance of removing fear from our hearts in order to nurture our children.For young women like myself, who are future mothers, I trust we are on the path of becoming selfaware and brutally honest with ourselves. We are creative beings, never forgetting the gifts with which we have been bestowed— the love and tenderness, natural instincts, and intuition to feel the right path. It all lies in the mysterious meanderings of the heart. Are we really listening to our hearts, or confusing the bombarding information on social media with reality?