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“FEELING EXTREME LONELINESS can increase an older person’s chances of premature death by 14 per cent” according to research by psychologist John Cacioppo.
A 2010 meta-analysis showed that loneliness has twice the impact on early death as obesity does.
The consequences to health are dramatic, as feeling isolated from others can disrupt sleep, elevate blood pressure, increase morning rises in the stress hormone cortisol, alter gene expression in immune cells, increase depression and lower overall subjective well-being.
Research
Cacioppo joined other scholars at a seminar “The Science of Resilient Ageing” in Chicago over the past week.
The researchers looked at dramatic differences in the rate of decline in physical and mental health as people age.
They examined the role of satisfying relationships on older people to develop their resilience, the ability to bounce back after adversity and grow from stresses in life.
Cacioppo said:
Retiring to Florida to live in a warmer climate among strangers isn’t necessarily a good idea if it means you are disconnected from the people who mean the most to you.
Although some people are happy to be alone, most people thrive from social situations in which they provide mutual support and develop strong rapport.
Silver Demographic
Cacioppo says we are “experiencing a silver tsunami demographically. The baby boomers are reaching retirement age”. Speaking about America, he said:
Each day between 2011 and 2030, an average of 10,000 people will turn 65.
The researchers identified three core dimensions to healthy relationships:
Cacioppo said older people living alone are not necessary lonely if they remain socially engaged and enjoy the company of those around them.
However some aspects of ageing, such as blindness and loss of hearing place people at a special risk for becoming isolated and lonely.
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Hats off to these chaps.Real heroes.
and chapesses….
Why the red thumbs to your true true comment?
I wonder if this indicates that people don’t give our waterways the respect that they give to our seas?
Because some people were born A holes and some learned how to be A holes
You’re simply the best.
Royal National Lifeboat Institution
One of the few organizations doing great work on both sides of the border…
What about Sinn Fein?
What about it?
Not surprised Lough Ree was the busiest. Very dangerous lake if you don’t know it, full of hire cruisers in the hands of tourists let loose on the river with only ten minutes training.
Well done to all the RNLI crews. It takes some dedication to leave your warm beds on a wet stormy night and put out to sea to save others. These volunteers dont get half the credit they deserve.
Hero’s every one of them.
Agree John even though I was one of those tourists. Hired a small cruiser a few years ago for a week with the wife. Couldn’t believe how bad it got while crossing Lough Ree, it was worse than been out at sea!
Great organisation. Would love to have the time to be a crew member.
Don’t leave your money to the ungrateful kids leave to the RNLI!!
I’d love to have the sea legs for it. I get seasick looking at a boat.
Bravo, a very cheering tale after reading about the carry-on of some of our citizens.
Real heroes!
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