An unexpected result was obtained by scientists from the University of Zurich. They found that a certain amount of loneliness can be good for the well-being of older people.
It is well known that social isolation and loneliness have a devastating effect on people, especially the elderly. In the absence of communication and social contacts, they rapidly lose intellectual skills, which is why they face an increased risk of a variety of cognitive impairments up to the development of dementia. And now scientists from the University of Zurich have found that a certain amount of loneliness for the health of an elderly person can be useful.
They asked 118 men and women over the age of 65 to use an app that could log all social interactions for three weeks. It turned out that the more time people spent alone, the more they spent on communication next time. The study showed that even elderly people need to spend some time in silence in order, as they say, to recharge their batteries after communicating with other people.
Privacy is an integral part of the daily life of the elderly, it helps to restore energy, according to researchers. And one should not categorically avoid loneliness, it is only important that it is not overwhelming for a person.
