This pervasive isolation doesn’t just take an emotional toll; it disrupts a fundamental need: restful sleep. From increased insomnia and early awakenings to compromised cognitive function and heightened disease risk, the consequences of loneliness touch every aspect of our health. One reason loneliness could be such a significant risk factor for mortality is the differences in blood pressure regulation it creates. Technology “Technology, particularly our
smartphone devices, provides us with an always-on, always-available, 24 hours, seven days a week, unlimited access to connection,” Alexander Bell, a keynote speaker and author of ”Tech Rules,” told The Epoch Times. “We find ourselves turning to our devices the very moment we feel alone, bored, or left with our own thoughts.” Convenience is the biggest killer of connections, leading us to revert to relying solely on our devices, he noted. Early Experiences As Mark Nepo, a spiritual adviser and author of “More Together Than Alone,” wrote, nurturing a community is “about an effort to animate what we have in common.” Having a supportive social circle where habits are contagious Supporting strong family relationships Keeping aging parents near their children for survival and wisdom-sharing Belonging to faith-based communities, which can extend lifespan by four to 14 years. Intergenerational programs like one Dutch retirement home’s free housing program for students who spend time with older residents. The goal is to spend a minimum of 30 hours each month with the older community. The living arrangement helped foster connectedness by encouraging the young and the old to interact. Adopting pets. Pet owners are 36 percent less likely to feel lonely, according to research . Giving back to the community and examining how we raise children to prevent perpetuating loneliness. Establishing boundaries around technology use to protect authentic human connections.