Well, the cold weather is officially here. And as temperatures around the Detroit area drop, the number of calls fielded by emergency services workers inevitably rises.
It’s not just the folks out there who are suffering from exposure to the cold weather that we need to be concerned about. It’s also the elderly, as well as anyone who lives alone.
Because as it turns out, loneliness combined with low winter temperatures can be especially dangerous.
There has been a ton of research over the past few years showing a connection between close human connection — or lack of it — and overall health.
Studies show that people with fewer social contacts have more inflammation, more stress, and less efficient immune systems. Loneliness can affect sleep cycles, and can increase the risk of premature death by as much as a third!
There are some things we can do in these colder months to make loneliness slightly less dangerous for ourselves and our loved ones.
Partha's Rx:
- If you’re feeling lonely this winter, tell someone. Many people keep feelings of loneliness to themselves out of fear of being stigmatized.
- Get help if you need it. Evidence shows that feeling socially isolated can increase the risk of premature death by about a third.
- Visit aging relatives who live alone. They may need extra help with basic tasks during the winter.
- If you can’t visit, call or write. Lots of people are simply in need of basic human connection.
Loneliness is a modern problem, but it’s very real. It’s not just the elderly we should worry about.
Research has shown that regardless of age, loneliness is nearly as damaging to our health as not exercising.
So, make an extra effort to reach out to those people in your life who could use a little support in the cold months ahead.
