Silent killer

Loneliness is more than an unpleasant feeling. It can be a dangerous indicator that things just aren’t right in our lives. With roughly one-third of Americans suffering from loneliness, the medical community now identifies it as a widespread public health issue posing serious risks to mental and physical health. For example, social disconnection impacts mortality as much as smoking 15 cigarettes a day, and even more than obesity and physical inactivity.

People of all ages are susceptible to feeling persistently lonely or disconnected, especially when socially isolated. But even someone with frequent social interaction can lack meaningful relationships and belonging. These common experiences take a toll on the body, weakening the immune system, increasing inflammation and disrupting normal functions. If ongoing or severe, health complications are likely, and risk is often compounded by unhealthy coping.

Loneliness and social isolation are linked to increased risk for heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, obesity, Type 2 diabetes, depression, anxiety, addiction, suicide, self-harm, cognitive decline, dementia and premature death. Some conditions, such as depression, can even cause an avoidance of people, places or activities, which negatively impacts health, and the cycle continues.

But there’s help. It might be difficult to be honest about how loneliness or social isolation is affecting you, but an open discussion with your health care provider is a great first step to your improved well-being. By supporting you with lifestyle changes, therapy resources, medication or suggestions for meaningful social connection, a health professional can help you reengage in life.

Ed Dwyer, licensed professional counselor, Riverside Health, Hampton

Agreed

Re “Dangerous drivers” (Your Views, May 15): I couldn’t help to think, the letter writer must be speaking about Hampton, until I saw the areas he stated. Every word he wrote describes the exact driving conditions in Hampton. He calls his the “Suffolk raceway,” as I call Mercury Boulevard the “Daytona 500.”

You must learn skills to drive just about anywhere in this city, or you will be bumped off the track, so to speak. It’s getting worse, and nothing is done. It’s basically a free-for-all to see who can drive the fastest or cause the most accidents, which is a regular occurrence as I travel to and from work.

If I am out here driving and see what happens on the roads, surely city management members, who drive the same roads, have got to see what is going on. But yet, nothing is done. It’s not difficult people: Put out some public service announcement warnings and more police, cameras and anything to deter and keep motorists safer.

I agree with the letter writer on the inconsiderate, careless drivers becoming a problem to him due to the danger and potential harm to his family. Let’s all hope that within our cities we can manage to get some support, provide more safety and put a stop to all of these dangerous matters.

Ednamae Lewis, Hampton

Thank you

We here at Life with Pigs Farm Animal Sanctuary wanted to give a special public thank you to everyone at Luck Stone in Toano. As a nonprofit we depend on the generosity of strangers and our surrounding community, and when we needed to improve the land our rescued farmed animals live on, Luck Stone donated the materials we needed to make sure everyone’s feet stayed happy and healthy.

This saved us a lot, leaving more money to put toward feed, bedding and veterinarian bills. We are and will eternally be grateful to Luck Stone for its kindness and willingness to help. They truly embody what it means to be a part of a community.

Ryan Phillips, Williamsburg