Is Loneliness Deadly
I don’t normally blog about things like loneliness and stick normally with fitness topics, like exercise and diet. However, I was just reading about the effects of loneliness on health and realized that it not only is becoming an epidemic, it’s almost as lethal as obesity. Unfortunately, when people are obese, they also isolate themselves from others, creating a double dose of problems. Even though everyone in Louisville KY is friendly, there’s still an epidemic of loneliness here. It’s one reason that people often find that our group training provides more benefits. Not only are the participants getting a great workout and expert nutritional advice, they’re also making friends and having social interaction that’s fun.
Being alone isn’t the same as being lonely.
Some people prefer more solitude than others do. They may not have social interaction for weeks and never feel lonely. Others may be in the public or surrounded by people and still feel lonely. It’s the interaction and common bond that brings people together. It’s one reason people tend to benefit from group workouts. Let’s face it, as the trainer who pushes each person, I become the “Frenemy.” In case you aren’t familiar with the term, it’s both a friend and enemy. That common enemy and common goal creates a strong bond. The workout burns off the hormones of stress, boosts the happy hormones and creates a group that bonds over the common goal of fitness.
Why is loneliness so harmful?
Loneliness often leads to bad habits, such as alcohol abuse, overeating and over medicating. The toll these take on the immune system and overall health is huge. Obesity increases the risk of heart disease, diabetes and other serious conditions. Alcohol abuse and addiction to opioids or painkillers also take their toll on both the body and the mind. Loneliness is also known to increase both stress hormones and raise blood pressure levels.
Is more online interaction than face time the cause?
You would probably think that it would be, but studies indicate that people who use social media frequently are no more lonely than those that don’t. However, it doesn’t mention the level of loneliness of those who live with those that are online frequently. I do like to combine online with live interaction, which is why I always encourage people who use the online training and weight loss program to find a workout buddy.
- Studies show that loneliness is more prevalent in younger people and the very old. It’s an internal reaction and not limited to those who are isolated. Exercise can help reduce the effect.
- Besides exercise, getting outdoors can help lift the feeling of loneliness. The sunshine and fresh air can boost serotonin levels. Take off your shoes and walk barefoot, while you soak up the sun.
- Turn off electronics for a day and spend time with your family. If you live alone, plan a day with friends or in a social setting. It may be a good day to start an exercise program.
- Eating healthy can also help prevent depression, which is closely associated with loneliness. You can boost your social circle by taking a healthy cooking class or hosting a “healthy menu party” for friends.
If you’ve followed every diet, you’ve probably eating every two hours, had normal meals or packed all your meals into a short time frame in an effort to lose weight. It’s been popular for weight loss experts to tell clients to eat more often for weight loss, because some studies showed that it boosts metabolism and keeps you burning calories in high gear throughout the day. However, other studies show that eating normal meals works just as well. Finally, there are also studies that show that intermittent fasting for 16 hours and eating all meals in an eight hour window also has weight loss and other benefits. Which one is right? Maybe they all are.
I’m always telling clients to learn to use herbs and spices when cooking, to boost flavor and add nutrients without adding extra calories. There’s a number of special herbs that play an even more vital role in health. They’re called adaptogens. An adaptogen provides the material to help your body cope more easily with the stresses of living that can suck the energy out of it. They help boost the immune system, provide aid in keeping weight under control, improve endurance, make you feel better and even improve your mood.
Sure, a massage feels good, but there are also other body benefits of massage that can improve your functioning and health. After a tough workout, it can help to improve circulation and loosen tight muscles and tendons. That allows blood to circulate better and can whisk off the build up lactic acid in your muscle fiber. You’ll speed recovery time and have better pain management. Some athletes like their massage before a workout to warm muscle tissue and improve flexibility. Either way, a massage provides benefits.
If you’re trying to eat healthy and just take the advice of television commercials or the hype on the labels, you’ll soon realize that not all health foods are healthy. One look at the label that reads like a college chemistry formula should scare you into doing far more research than ever. Even though that tub of margarine says vegan, it doesn’t mean its healthier than butter—especially butter from the milk of grass fed raised cows. Butter has been part of the human diet for almost 4000 years. It has just one, possibly two ingredients if its salted, unlike many of the margarine “health food” butters. Many of the “healthy” non-butter alternatives contain far more ingredients with things like “natural flavors” (code word for chemicals) and substances not in a whole food diet.
Everyone loves green smoothies and those icy cold drinks that cool you down and taste a bit like drinking a fruity malt, but did you know warm smoothies can be just as inviting, especially on cold days. Whether it’s winter or just a chilly spring or fall day, a warm smoothie can be just what you need to boost more vegetable intake and cut back on fruit that most cold smoothies contain.
you simply can’t get out of the house to do it, you need to consider the type of personal training for people on the go that works with your hours and situation. Even the best laid plans and scheduled times are sometimes difficult to keep, when it happens consistently, going back to the drawing board and creating another option is probably the best way to handle the situation.
The question include, is this the real miracle that Tony says it is? Does everyone get results? Why does it work?
There’s no magic to becoming fit. It’s nothing more than learning the habits of healthy people and develop those habits. Even though it’s not magic, it doesn’t mean it’s easy. In fact, if you have unhealthy habits, such as smoking, think of how hard it is to quit. In reality, you’re really relearning the habit of not smoking. It’s easy to identify some of the habits like not smoking, avoid illegal substances or excessive drinking, but not all habits are that easily identified.