pressure were cumulative, so those who had higher levels of loneliness at the beginning of the study had greater blood pressure increases over the years.” Chronically lonely people also experience long- term inflammation, which damages the tissues and blood vessels of the heart and increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascu- lar diseases. Short-term inflammation is essential for fighting infections, but chronic inflammation can also increase the risk of cancer. The Life Expectancy Impact W e may think of loneliness as “just a feeling,” but it can be fatal enough to cause premature death. According to salvationarmynorth.org, “Researchers noted that there is significant evidence that social isolation and loneliness significantly increase risk for pre- mature mortality, and the magnitude of the risk exceeds that of many leading health indicators.” The Salvation Army backs up this statement with two huge meta-analyses. The first involved 148 studies, representing more than 300,000 par- ticipants. Researchers found that greater social connection is associated with a 50 percent reduced risk of early death. The second study—involving 70 studies repre- senting more than 3.4 million individuals primarily from North America but also from Europe, Asia, and Australia—examined the role that social isola- tion, loneliness, or living alone might have on mortality. Researchers found that all three had a significant and equal effect on the risk of premature death, one that was equal to or exceeded the effect of other well-accepted risk factors, such as obesity. As much as we may value our independence and individuality, the truth is that we really do need each other. As Biswas says, “The sense of belonging to a group or community is important not only for companionship, but also for survival.” Ĩ WWW.AGRM.ORG MAY/JUNE 2018 19 Kristi, Rescue’s managing editor, has been a magazine writer and editor for 20 years, as well as a contributing author for devotionals and curriculum. She and her husband, Jess, are the parents of three children. Email her at krector@agrm.org. Loneliness can be a trigger for depression in many people. Here are six common causes of loneliness, according to De- blina Biswas of The Fit Indian health and wellness website. 1Abused or rejected by others. A sense of isolation can develop in an individual who has been repeatedly rejected or abused by family or friends. Under those circum- stances, a person may choose to alienate himself or herself and shut out people as a means of protection. 2Inability to fit in. Physical disability or extreme introversion can cause people to think they don’t fit in anywhere. Feeling this way leads to feelings of anxiety and depression. 3Heartbreak. A break-up or divorce can have serious effects on mental health. The intense loneliness and missing a loved one might be difficult for some people to handle. For some, the feelings can continue for years, pushing them toward loneliness that can also cause mental diseases and psychiatric disorders. 4Death and divorce. Divorce or death of a spouse pushes the other one into the darkness of loneliness and depression. While online dating is popular among divorcees, in many cases it adds to people feeling miserable about themselves. 5Social media. People have become more engrossed in virtual communities and online friendships, and are less interested in maintaining real-life social ties with family members, friends, and neighbors. However, research actu- ally shows that too much time on social networking sites can actually make people feel lonelier. 6Aging. Depression is a common part of aging because of reduced physical strength, mobility. and diseases. In addition, the perception of older people has changed, making them marginalized and rejected in both families and neighborhoods. Table for One Six common causes of loneliness