The Joy of Life

The evidence continues to mount that we are made for community. This is part of what it means to be made in the image of God. We are made for relationship.

Lonely individuals may be twice as likely to develop the type of dementia linked to Alzheimer’s disease in late life as those who are not lonely, according to a study by researchers at the Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center.

Researchers focused on the effects of emotional isolation, or loneliness, in which people perceive themselves as feeling socially isolated and disconnected from others - sometimes even if they're surrounded by family and friends. "It turns out people who have this feeling of being socially isolated are at higher risk of developing Alzheimer's," says David A. Bennett, MD, co-author of the study and director of the Rush University Medical Center Alzheimer's Disease Center in Chicago.

Though a small social network of friends and family has been linked in previous research to a higher risk of Alzheimer's, Bennett's group focused on a person's perception of being alone, regardless of their social network size. "We are talking about a tendency to feel isolated and alone in the world," he says. "You can have a small network and not feel isolated; or you can have a large network but don't know how to connect, and feel isolated."

Several previous studies have found a link between social isolation, mental decline, and a higher risk of dementia, Bennett notes. Social isolation is often brought on, he says, by being single, participating in few activities with others, or having few people in your social network.

If you have seven people in your social network (defined as people other than your spouse whom you feel close to and can confide in), you are about average, Bennett says. "People with 2, 3, or 4 are at greater risk [of dementia] compared to people with 12 or 13," he says, citing other research.

Other studies have showed that people who tend to be depressed and who tend to feel overwhelmed with stress are also at greater risk for Alzheimer's, he says. For now, Bennett says, "People should be aware that negative emotions in the form of depression, loneliness, and being overwhelmed are bad for the brain."

I would add that depression, loneliness, and being overwhelmed are not only bad for the brain but also for your spiritual health. We are created for community. Make an intentional effort this year to join a small group, make several new friends, or volunteer in your church or community. You will feel better and enjoy life more!