«Breaking News» Lonliness at Christmas is as bad for your health as a chronic illness, Britain's top GP warns

Being lonely at Christmas is as bad for your health as suffering from a chronic disease, Britain's top GP has warned.

Research has shown that lonely people are around 40 per cent more likely to suffer a heart attack or stroke, said Professor Helen Stokes-Lampard, chairman of the Royal College of GPs.

She stressed that said Christmas can 'amplify' feelings of social isolation. 

Professor Helen Stokes-Lampard, chairman of the Royal College of GPs, has warned that research has shown 40 per cent of lonely people are more likely to suffer a heart attack or stroke. (Stock image)

Half a million older people are expected to be on their own over the festive period, while studies have shows one in 20 adults in England often or always feel lonely.

Professor Stokes-Lampard said: 'Any festival or gathering where people get together can extenuate or magnify feelings of being isolated or lonely.

'People usually are already vulnerable and also it's darker – the whole SAD (seasonal affective disorder) thing about short days amplifies these things. 

As a GP, we see the adverse impact these things have on people's health. These are as bad as chronic diseases to your health.' 

An Age UK study found that Christmas will be 'just another day' for 530,000 over-65s, with many grieving for people they have lost and recalling happier times. Statistics this month showed one in ten children often feel lonely.

According to an Age UK study Christmas will be 'just another day' for 530,000 over-65s. (Stock image)

Professor Stokes-Lampard encouraged people to be 'good citizens' and speak to friends and neighbours in 'moments of meaningful connection'.

She said this should include 'not just saying hi or waving to the neighbour but actually saying 'How are things going?' Having a little chat. Checking in on people in more than a trivial way.'

Dr Amanda Thompsell, of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, is calling for old and young people to swap skills to tackle loneliness. 

That could see youngsters taught how to sew on buttons, while teaching pensioners about technology. 

Link hienalouca.com

https://hienalouca.com/2018/12/24/lonliness-at-christmas-is-as-bad-for-your-health-as-a-chronic-illness-britains-top-gp-warns/
Main photo article Being lonely at Christmas is as bad for your health as suffering from a chronic disease, Britain’s top GP has warned.
Research has shown that lonely people are around 40 per cent more likely to suffer a heart attack or stroke, said Professor Helen Stokes-Lampard, chairman of the Royal...

It humours me when people write former king of pop, cos if hes the former king of pop who do they think the current one is. Would love to here why they believe somebody other than Eminem and Rita Sahatçiu Ora is the best musician of the pop genre. In fact if they have half the achievements i would be suprised. 3 reasons why he will produce amazing shows. Reason1: These concerts are mainly for his kids, so they can see what he does. 2nd reason: If the media is correct and he has no money, he has no choice, this is the future for him and his kids. 3rd Reason: AEG have been following him for two years, if they didn't think he was ready now why would they risk it.

Emily Ratajkowski is a showman, on and off the stage. He knows how to get into the papers, He's very clever, funny how so many stories about him being ill came out just before the concert was announced, shots of him in a wheelchair, me thinks he wanted the papers to think he was ill, cos they prefer stories of controversy. Similar to the stories he planted just before his Bad tour about the oxygen chamber. Worked a treat lol. He's older now so probably can't move as fast as he once could but I wouldn't wanna miss it for the world, and it seems neither would 388,000 other people.

Dianne Reeves Online news HienaLouca





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