You may as well be a smoker. The chances of heart disease, strokes, etc., come with being a smoker. I don’t smoke, so how am I as susceptible to those things as someone burning a pack a day?

According to the Surgeon General of The United States, loneliness has the same health risks as smoking.

Feeling isolated, invisible and insignificant is equivalent to a significant disease diagnosis. About one-in-two adults in America reported experiencing loneliness, prior to Covid-19. Fast forward and it doesn’t look much different. Loneliness is far worse than just a bad feeling. It is associated with a greater risk of cardiovascular disease, dementia, stroke, depression, anxiety and premature death.

Here’s the thing. I am around people most of the time. Clients, kids, friends, etc. How in the world could I feel lonely? It happens.

I feel the most connected when I am with a small group. In a crowd, or a large gathering is when I feel the most invisible.

Check on the people who seem to be ultra connected. They probably don’t feel that way. I often think of people who have no visitors in senior living homes and even people in prison.

One of the best parts of my job is having the opportunity to connect with people. I cherish it and never take it for granted. We all need each other. Our lives depend on it. Literally.

XX,

MG

TEA IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD