Loneliness is more than feeling alone; it can prompt severe physical consequences, especially in the elderly. Feelings of disconnection can cause inflammation, which increases the risk of dementia, heart disease, stroke, and other diseases. A new study of seniors, published in the journal Brain, Behavior and Immunity, found that the ancient practice of “mindfulness meditation” reduces feelings of loneliness and the markers of inflammation. Study leader J. David Creswell, assistant professor of psychology, explains, “Our meditation training can actually turn down this inflammatory response that places lonely older adults at risk.”
—Janet Jay (DC’07)
