More bad news for the socially awkward, a recent study revealed that lonely people are more likely to become ill and die young. Apparently, the lonely didn't have it bad enough with just being lonely. Also, this puts many cats at risk.
There are two schools of thought on why these quiet people shuffle off their mostly-unnoticed mortal coil before the rest of us. Some scientists argue that lack of social support is the culprit. For example, the Lonelian ( a lonely person) is unable to get a ride to the doctor when he or she is sick. The Lonelian cannot take days off of work, because money is needed and there is no one to loan the Lonelian money.
The other theory states that something happens to the physiology of the lonely person. This new study shows that lonely people actually have a genetic pattern, predisposing them to loneliness and sickness.
Mostly, the lonely suffer from high-blood pressure, weak immune systems, impaired sleep and depression. Believe it or not, depressed, lonely people are also more prone to suicide.
It is not known whether genetic disposition causes loneliness which causes illness or if genetic disposition causes illnesses which cause loneliness.
There is good news. Loneliness has a cure. Joining a social club or a church, taking on a roommate or joining a dating service are all viable solutions. Maybe, as a group effort, all of us could keep an eye out for people who look lonely and invite them over for tea and a card game.
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