Welcome to Health Week. Last year I was on a panel about loneliness. A recent Cigna study reveals loneliness is at epidemic levels nationwide, with nearly half of Americans report feeling alone, sometimes or always. Researchers say suffering through it can be as lethal as smoking 15 cigarettes a day… so why was I on that panel?

Photography by Joe Lopher

HOW TO DEAL WITH LONELINESS

I feel it. Being lonely. Sometimes social media exacerbates those feelings. I think the irony of social media is that it was intended to connect us but I think it actually disconnects us. You would think that someone with “a lot of followers” wouldn’t have these issues, but it happens to everyone. It was hard to talk about it, but being surrounded with people going through similar situations made it easier. Everyone on the panel shared the kind of loneliness they go through; we chatted about ways to combat it and outreach options. The thing you have to remember is… you are not alone. It’s something you can work at. It’s 𝐎𝐊 to ask for help. Today would be a good time to reach out to someone or be a listener. Sometimes that’s all it takes.

You can learn more about the Cigna study here.

Check out more of Dandy In The Bronx’s Health Week.

Thanks for reading and y’all stay dandy.

-Diego

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