Isolation / Loneliness

For LGBTQ Americans of all ages, this is a disorienting moment. While much of the country, and the world, has become inclusive and supportive of the rights of the LGBTQ community to live in dignity and with respect, at the same time, extreme political operators are proposing to not only…

You may not be an extrovert, and you may shy away from casual conversations with those you don’t know well, but if you’re human, more and more research underscores the importance of social connections for your health and well-being. You may think your time for making friends or connecting socially…

It’s one thing to live alone, as is increasingly the case among older adults in the United States. It’s another to be socially isolated, which the National Institute on Aging describes as “the lack of social contacts and having few people to interact with regularly.” In fact, many older adults…

The writer Paolo Coelho once wrote, “Friendship isn’t a big thing—it’s a million little things.” The value of friendships throughout your life, but especially as you get on in years, is truly underestimated. Both your physical and mental health benefit when friends are an integral part of your life, not…

Mother Theresa once said, “The most terrible poverty is loneliness, and the feeling of being unloved.” Those are sentiments felt by many older adults, even those who live among other groups of people. That’s because feeling lonely has little to do with being by yourself (which is more correctly described…

We spend a lot of time and attention focusing on aspects of physical health and how eating a healthy diet, getting sufficient sleep, or keeping your body moving are essential for aging in a healthier way. What may not get enough attention, however, are the psychological factors that can also…