It’s funny how some bits of information can stick with you. Nine months ago, I read a post about the effects of loneliness.

And I keep thinking about it.

Researchers studied the impact of social isolation and unhappiness on older people. One of the findings was that loneliness ages you faster than smoking.

Previous studies suggested other serious impacts on your health. If you don’t have family, friends, or some kind of community…

An increase in the likelihood of heart disease or stroke. An increase in the likelihood of dementia!

And loneliness has a domino effect on other behaviours. Lonely people tend to exercise less. They don’t sleep well. Or eat well.

Lack of connection and loneliness was equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day! Or having six drinks a day!

You don’t have to have lots of friends. It’s quality over quantity.

And you don’t even have to see people in real life. Interacting with others. Sharing stories. Feeling connected. You can do all of that online if you can’t do it in person.

It’s one of the reasons I try to have regular or irregular Zoom meetings with some of my longtime friends. And communicate via email or Messenger with other ones. Some friends, prefer to text sporadically.

And every now and then, I get to see folks in person.

I think about it a lot. It’s important for me to socialize. And it’s important for people that I care about to socialize.

Getting together is good medicine for you and your friends. Whether it’s online or in real life.

So, call a friend. Or send them an email. Meet for coffee. Go see a show.

Your health depends on it!