How being lonely can impact your health [Video]

TODAY. OKAY, ALL RIGHT. BEING ALONE OR MISSING OUT ON BIG MOMENTS IN LIFE THAT CAN HAVE DANGEROUS IMPACTS ON YOUR HEALTH. KOAT UNM EXPERT DOCTOR RASH EXPLAINS SOCIAL ISOLATION IS LINKED TO INCREASED RISK FOR HEART DISEASE, STROKE, DIABETES, DEPRESSION, ADDICTION, DEMENTIA, EVEN AN EARLY DEATH. IT SEEMS ALMOST BACKWARDS. BUT SOCIAL MEDIA, DESPITE THE NAME, CAN ACTUALLY MAKE YOUR ISOLATION WORSE. JUST LIKE WE SEE WITH TEENS, SOME OF THE FACTORS THAT CAN LEAD TO YOU FEELING MORE LONELY ARE STARTING A NEW JOB OR COLLEGE MAYBE, AND MOVING TO A DIFFERENT TOWN AWAY FROM YOUR FAMILY. IF YOU START TO FEEL LONELY, JOIN A HOBBY GROUP. VOLUNTEER. GET INVOLVED IN A FITNESS CLASS. NEW MEXICO HAS MANY OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOU AT SENIOR CENTERS, FAITH BASED GROUPS, LIBRARY READING PROGRAMS, ANIMAL SHELTERS, AND EVEN THE CITY AND COUNTY HAVE VOLUNTEER GROUPS LIKE ONE ALBUQUERQUE. IF ONE GROUP DOESN’T …