It’s said that “America has a loneliness epidemic” (see NPR‘s recent piece at https://www.npr.org/2023/05/02/1173418268/loneliness-connection-mental-health-dementia-surgeon-general

So what? Well, here are the consequences of loneliness according to a recent advisory from the U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy :

1. “you can feel lonely even if you have a lot of people around you, because loneliness is about the quality of your connections.”
2. the physical consequences of poor connection can be devastating, including a 29% increased risk of heart disease; a 32% increased risk of stroke; and a 50% increased risk of developing dementia for older adults
3. many young people now use social media as a replacement for in-person relationships, and this often meant lower-quality connections.
4. U.S. participation in community organizations — from faith groups to recreational leagues — has declined in recent decades.
5. A 2022 paper from Johns Hopkins University also found socially isolated older adults had a higher chance of developing dementia than their peers. “Social connections matter for our cognitive health, and the risk of social isolation is potentially modifiable for older adults,”

Today’s senryu: Lookin’ for Love in All the Wrong Places

we all need to love

giving and receiving love

look for love wisely

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76lWqOcaGNU