Mature Market Experts Gem of the Day: Is Loneliness Contagious?
Mature Market Experts: More news and stats you can use on boomers, seniors and the mature market – Is Loneliness Contagious? In December’s issue of the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, researcher John T. Cacioppo, a University of Chicago psychologist, states that “Loneliness can be transmitted. Loneliness is not just the property of an individual. It can be transmitted across people — even people you don’t have direct contact with.” As people become lonely they tend to further isolate themselves, which of course, only exacerbates the problem. Loneliness has been linked to many medical conditions, such as depression, sleep problems and poor physical health. As baby boomers leave their work lives behind, they may find themselves needing to create new social circles for themselves in order to avoid falling prey to this devastating emotional state. To read the AARP bulletin and about this study click here.
As many of you know, I’m a huge advocate of retirement communities for this very reason. Technology can solve many problems that come with aging in place but it can’t replace the warmth of a hug or the contagiousness of a person smiling over a cup of tea.
Filed under: Mature Market Experts, TR Mann, Tom Mann, Uncategorized, health, mature, mature market