Loneliness Linked โขto Accelerated Aging,Comparable to Health Risks of Poor Diet & Inactivity,Researchโฃ Shows
New researchโค confirms chronic โฃloneliness isn’t just a state of mind โค- it’s a significant health risk that can accelerate cellular deterioration,impacting immune function and inflammatory markers,ultimately contributing to prematureโ aging. Theโ findings underscore that social connection โis as vital to healthy aging โคas diet and exercise.
Experts โemphasize that “aging well is not just about living longer, but about living them with meaning, withโค connections and with purpose.” This perspective aligns with โinsights from cardiologist Manuel de laโ Peรฑa’s โคbook,‘Guide to living healthy โ120 years’,which highlights theโ importance of positive thinking for longevity.
Specifically, research points to several โคkey factors for healthy aging:
* Healthyโข eating: Diets like the โMediterranean, DASH, and Alternative healthy Eating Index โข(AHEI) are linked to healthier aging.
* Regular Physical Activity: At โฃleast 150โค minutes per weekโ of moderate โto vigorous exercise is recommendedโ to maintain physical and mental function.
* Mental Health & Purpose: Stimulating cognitive โfunction through learning and โขmemory activities,alongside a clear life purpose,can reduce mortality risk and promote longevity.
* Socialโ Relationships & โStress Management: Strong social connections, emotional support, and avoiding isolation contribute to emotional wellbeing, โreduced stress, and โขimproved quality of life.
Conversely,chronic loneliness is associated with a heightenedโฃ risk of serious health conditions including heart disease,diabetes,cancer,highโ blood pressure,obesity,depression,anxiety,and cognitive decline – โฃincluding Alzheimer’s disease. Lonely individuals are also more likely to engage in unhealthy behaviorsโ like smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, โand poor diet.โ
biological โคmechanisms linking lonelinessโฃ to physical deterioration include chronic inflammation and disruption of the endocrine system,leading to elevated cortisol โขlevelsโ (the stress hormone). Connectionโค with others, โขcommunityโค involvement, and emotional exchange are thusโ considered โtherapeutic and preventative elements for a longer, healthier life.
