New Study is a Total Drag

By Joanna Miller in Miscellaneous on Mar 28, 2006 7:39PM

As if everyone in the world wasn’t already afraid of ending up old and lonely, there is now proof that it’s even worse than we’d imagined. Not only does being old and lonely totally suck, as researchers at the University of Chicago and Northwestern University recently discovered, it will probably shorten your life.

The study showed that older Americans who experience loneliness have higher blood pressure than those who aren’t. Also a common result of obesity and lack of exercise, high blood pressure can lead to heart disease, stroke and other generally bad things.

Also, the authors of the study reported, they don’t really know what to do about these grim, although not terribly shocking, findings. There’s no pill for loneliness, at least not one you’ll find in any pharmacy. And sticking someone in a room full of people isn’t necessarily going to help – people need to experience real connections and relationships. So, hopefully we’ll all have some of those.

Either way, there’s no need to do anything drastic. Please, keep away from the Lock & Key. That’s just creepy.

when you’re all alone via NaiadsSpring