For one long semester in 1974, my heart was a tomb. I didn’t know a soul on the campus of George Mason University — then, strictly a commuter college in Fairfax, Va. Despite 5,000 students milling around me, I felt like the only person on Earth. Howeve… Continue reading
The practice of prescribing social activities as an alternative or complement to medication for a variety of ailments has become more common in countries such as Canada and the U.K., and it appears some people are finding it beneficial in the United St… Continue reading
(This article appeared previously in Kaiser Health News.) For years, Dr. Linda Fried offered older patients who complained of being lonely what seemed to be sensible guidance. “Go out and find something that matters to you,” she would say. But her well… Continue reading
I am dating a married man. His wife doesn’t know. She resides in an assisted living facility, a tragic victim of a brain disease. Like a young child, she can no longer walk alone, needs help being fed, showered and going to the bathroom. She and my fri… Continue reading
A fascinating new study of loneliness found that adults are at risk across the entire lifespan, but especially during their late-20s, mid-50s and late-80s. Equally interesting: the researchers say that wisdom can help protect against loneliness. That f… Continue reading
(This article originally appeared in 2017.) In the midst of frenetic advertising, pressure to shop for gifts and the ubiquitous seasonal music, the holidays can be an especially hard time if you’re depressed or missing a lost loved one. The contrast be… Continue reading
According to AARP’s Loneliness Study, which surveyed adults ages 45 and older, more than 35 percent of of older adults are lonely, and loneliness is a significant predictor of poor health. This report also found that lonely people are less likely to be… Continue reading