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Cora H.

@corahh268

Loneliness And Mental Health

Studies show that older adults who are lonely see a decline in their thinking abilities, which is rapid if paired with other factors like physical inactivity, anxiety, poor sleep and high blood pressure.

Prolonged social isolation is a kind of mental stress leading to various mental and physical health issues like faster ageing, dementia and cognitive decline. It has also been linked to the factors that lead to Alzheimer’s disease, like a build-up of certain toxic proteins in the brain.

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How social isolation changes the brain

inverse.com

TOPICS IN THIS IDEA

Health

Understanding the Loneliness Epidemic

Most people consider loneliness a "personal problem," to be figured out by individuals. However, the complications arising from loneliness impact our health care system, using tax dollars for health care providers and facilities. Research has consistently associated loneliness with different kinds of disease and premature mortality.

psychcentral.com

A public health problem

Most people consider loneliness a personal problem to be figured out by individuals.

However, a paper published in the American Journal of Public Health identi...

Don’t blame social media

Among the theories on why there is more loneliness today is more time online and less time in front of people.

However, levels of in-person interactions, physical and mental wellness and life balance are more likely to predict loneliness than social media usage.

Young and lonely

Generation Z (ages 18-22) had the highest loneliness scores, followed by the millennials (ages 23-37). The Greatest Generation (adults ages 72 and older) were the least lonely.

Lonely people are less able to pick up on positive social stimuli, like others’ attention and commitment signals, so they withdraw prematurely – in many cases before they’re actually socially isolated.

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Zara Michaels

@zara_michaels

Seven ways to overcome loneliness

According to the Campaign to End Loneliness, a commission originally set up by MP Jo Cox in 2016, loneliness can be as damaging as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. It is also associated with increased risk of heart disease, stroke and blood pressure, as well as dementia - one study cited by the campaign found that lonely people "have a 64% increased chance of developing clinical dementia".

theguardian.com

Recognize the impact of loneliness

According to the Campaign to End Loneliness, loneliness can be a...

Work out exactly why you are lonely

The mental health charity Mind cites two main factors that can cause loneliness:

someone either not having enough basic social contact or,
despite being surrounded by people, not feeling understood, listened to or cared for.

Working out which profile fits you best could give you a better idea of how to work through your feelings of loneliness.

Speak to someone

Talk to friends and family.
Join a club or socialize through hobbies or interests. It is a good way to meet new people and increase social interactions.
Do voluntary work. It forges connections as well as makes you feel worthwhile.

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Andrea A.

@andreafaa157

12 Science-Based Benefits of Meditation

The popularity of meditation is increasing as more people discover its benefits. Meditation is a habitual process of training your mind to focus and redirect your thoughts. You can use it to increase awareness of yourself and your surroundings. Many people think of it as a way to reduce stress and develop concentration.

healthline.com

Reducing Stress

Many styles of meditation can help reduce stress.

In an eight-week study, a meditation style called "mindfulness meditation" reduced the inflammation response caused by stres...

Controlling Anxiety

Less stress leads to less anxiety.

Regular meditation helps reduce anxiety and anxiety-related mental health issues like social anxiety, phobias and obsessive-compulsive behaviors.

Promoting Emotional Health

Some types of meditation can improve depression and help you maintain these benefits.

Two studies of mindfulness meditation found decreased depression in over 4,600 adults.
One study found that participants experienced a long-term decrease in depression.

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