In their new book "Loneliness: Human Nature and the Need for Social Connection" authors John Cacioppo, the Tiffany & Margaret Blake Distinguished Service Professor in Psychology at the University of Chicago and William Patrick, the former science editor at Harvard University present research results from various studies on the subject. It is of their opinion that if you don't have social connection and experience a feeling of loneliness, the condition can be considered a health risk right up there with smoking and obesity.

It is interesting to note the authors point out that the need to be social is connected to our number one basic need -- to live. Thousands of years ago, in order to rear children and even to survive in what could have been very challenging environmental conditions, humans would have to rely upon each other ... to be safe, to be fed and to survive. Hence, loneliness is rooted in the basic need to live and thrive.

If you are spending too much time alone and feeling sad then you may experience a variety of adverse physical symptoms all related to loneliness. Here a few symptoms that loneliness is getting the best of you!

• If you are chronically lonely, your morning cortisol or stress hormone may be higher than normal in the morning. Elevated levels of cortisol has been associated with increased accumulation of body fat around the mid-section.
• You have a decreased quality of sleep. One who is lonely may feel as if they are getting enough hours of sleep when in reality they are waking throughout the night, causing symptoms of fatigue such as low energy, depression, foggy thinking and irritability.

• Altered gene expression in immune cells and weakened immune systems

• Have higher blood pressure levels
  

• Increased incidence of depression

• Those that are lonely have an increased risk of developing Alzheimer's

Bob, the physical symptoms of loneliness may be considered warning signs that your body is telling you to get out and be with people! Join a health club. Sign up for continuing education classes. Invite co-workers out for dinner or to watch a game. Join a cycling club. The bottom line: if you would like to get your old "metabolism" back, be social, laugh, converse and enjoy the company of others!

All the best!

Healthfully Yours,

Laura Lewis, Life Fit Expert, Thatsfit.com

**Curious to read more on the subject of how loneliness directly impacts health and your cortisol levels? Click here!

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