Genes Get Lonely Too

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"You can measure how many friends they have, and whether they provide support, but the only way you can know if somebody is lonely is to ask them," says Asher. He has observed individuals with many friends who will report being lonely and, on the opposite side, those with few friends who do not. And, like Cole, Asher has found that lonely individuals tend to have a distinctly different outlook on social interactions. "We find that people who are lonely are more socially anxious," Asher says. "They're definitely feeling more stress and more anxiety."

So what should lonely guys and gals do if they're worried about their health? Harvard Medical School experts suggest talk therapy. For those who want to tackle the loneliness head on, helping others can be a fantastic way to make essential social connections. Tutoring in a subject you know at a local school or any kind of volunteer work can provide all-around benefits and bring you close to people of like mind. Even just one new but meaningful contact can make all the difference. And to manage creeping stress, you can take some basic relaxation measures like meditation or paced breathing.

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Posted By: ibm0821 @ 01/04/2008 11:18:13 AM

Why do women fear being alone and in desperate needof a relatonship , and in fear of trying a new relationship if the one there in is not working?
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Posted By: lilys.petal @ 11/05/2007 12:17:48 AM

I think the reason for the weaker immune systems and increase in the cortisol is because lonely individuals are less likely to laugh. When you are with someone you are more inclined to laugh and there are studies showing laughter increases blood circulation and cardiovascular health, therefore should one not have this stress outlet or relief the result is a build up of stress- cortisol... Thanks for sharing the article. Even admist the technological revolution in communication there are still those who are loners strictly due to personality patterns.
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Posted By: zazman007 @ 10/21/2007 11:09:37 AM

This is a wonderful article because it has such a eye-opening view of how we live our lives. Rich or poor, single or married, black or white - our perception is what matters when it comes to loneliness. A great follow-up article, which is hinted at the end of this story, would be how can we create a society that would make it easier to form connections with each other. Are there certain aspects that we could build in our world that would make it easier for people to meet each other and not trust one another more?