Psychology

The Company of Mindfulness

Meditation has been found to diminish loneliness in older adults—something many social programs have failed to do. But how?

Photo © Flickr.com/Dr. TH80

For older adults, loneliness is a major risk factor for health problems—such as cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer's. They even have an increased risk of dying. Attempts to diminish loneliness with social networking programs like creating community centers to encourage new relationships have not been effective.

However, a recent study led by J. David Creswell, Director of the Health and Human Performance Laboratory at Carnegie Mellon University, offers the first evidence that mindfulness meditation reduces loneliness in older adults. Published in "Brain, Behavior & Immunity," the researchers also found that mindfulness meditation lowered inflammation levels, which is thought to promote the development and progression of many diseases.

These findings provide valuable insights into how mindfulness meditation training can be used as a novel approach for reducing loneliness and the risk of disease in older adults.

Listen as Creswell talks about the study and its results. The video lasts about 6 minutes:

While this research suggests a promising new approach for treating loneliness and inflammatory disease risk in older adults, Creswell says more work needs to be done.

"If you're interested in using mindfulness meditation, find an instructor in your city," he says. "It's important to train your mind like you train your biceps in the gym."

Want to know more? Click here to read Elisha Goldstein's latest blog post, "Being alone doesn't mean you're lonely." Also see Only the Lonely, about a program for lonely older people and their caregivers.

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Freedom from Loneliness through Mindfulness Meditation

Submitted by Charles A. Francis on Wed, 08/22/2012 - 18:47.

Interesting article. In my experience, I’ve found loneliness to be a function of much we realize our interconnectedness with the rest of the world. It takes some work to achieve this, but the rewards are truly worth it.

Through mindfulness meditation, I’ve been able to completely overcome loneliness, because I can now see my interconnectedness with the rest of humanity. Now, I know I am never alone. I haven’t felt lonely in over 17 years, whether I am with people or not. It’s a very comforting feeling.

Now I teach others how to find the same freedom I’ve found through mindfulness meditation.

Charles A. Francis
The Mindfulness Meditation Institute