@SoulfullyAButterfly

❤️ Thank you for this informative post! ❤️

❤️ Coping with Loneliness During the COVID-19 Pandemic ❤️

❤️ The pandemic: more than a virus ❤️

❤️ The social impact of the coronavirus pandemic presents a level of loneliness that society never encountered before. According to surveys from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 54% of respondents reported feeling more lonely since the start of the pandemic. Additionally, the Office for National Statistics of the United Kingdom explained that areas with a higher conentration of younger people tended to have higher rates of loneliness during the pandemic. As someone who, like you, went through this extremely tough situation, I'd like to tell you that you are not alone. Your feelings are valid: you are going through a global disaster, and being affected by it is only natural. As a matter of fact, the World Health Organization stated that the pandemic triggered a 25% increase in prevalence of anxiety and depression worldwide: you deserve a better mental health. That is why the next section of this article will explain how 7 Cups and other sources of support can help you to cope during this challenging time. We are here for you! ❤️

@SoulfullyAButterfly

Coping with Loneliness During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Beware of the Consumption of News on the Pandemic and Monitor Your Use of Social Media

During a time of constant change, new guidelines and worry, checking news to stay updated might seem a reasonable activity to stay safe by being well-informed. Social media has filled an important gap in social connection to decrease our feeling of loneliness while we were all isolated and unable to socialise face-to-face.

However, according to this article published in Springer, avoiding negative news on the Pandemic was the sixth of the eleven strategies mentioned by the British population to cope with the Pandemic. Ways to manage the stress induced by news consulting included staying away from social media or reducing the time spent in consulting news on COVID-19.

This information reinforces a recommendation of limiting the use of Social Media to help manage feelings of loneliness. While counter-intuitive for many as online modes of communication enable us to stay socially connected, unlimited use of Social Media has been correlated with an increase in loneliness and depression.

This underlines how meaningful and positive social interactions are more efficient against loneliness than long less-meaningful ones. As a result, we would like to remind you to spend quality time with your loved ones (video calls and online games are ideas to stay connected with them) but fray away from social media exposure and engage in activities that are known to decrease loneliness. Did you know for example that listening to self-selected music can have the same cognitive impact as spending time with a friend?

Sources :

Music May Reduce Loneliness and Act as Social Surrogate for a Friend: Evidence from an Experimental Listening Study https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/2059204320935709

@SoulfullyAButterfly

Coping with Loneliness During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Beware of the Consumption of News on the Pandemic and Monitor Your Use of Social Media

During a time of constant change, new guidelines and worry, checking news to stay updated might seem a reasonable activity to stay safe by being well-informed. Social media has filled an important gap in social connection to decrease our feeling of loneliness while we were all isolated and unable to socialise face-to-face.

However, according to this article published in Springer, avoiding negative news on the Pandemic was the sixth of the eleven strategies mentioned by the British population to cope with the Pandemic. Ways to manage the stress induced by news consulting included staying away from social media or reducing the time spent in consulting news on COVID-19.

This information reinforces a recommendation of limiting the use of Social Media to help manage feelings of loneliness. While counter-intuitive for many as online modes of communication enable us to stay socially connected, unlimited use of Social Media has been correlated with an increase in loneliness and depression.

This underlines how meaningful and positive social interactions are more efficient against loneliness than long less-meaningful ones. As a result, we would like to remind you to spend quality time with your loved ones (video calls and online games are ideas to stay connected with them) but fray away from social media exposure and engage in activities that are known to decrease loneliness. Did you know for example that listening to self-selected music can have the same cognitive impact as spending time with a friend?

Sources :

(i) Music May Reduce Loneliness and Act as Social Surrogate for a Friend: Evidence from an Experimental Listening Study https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/2059204320935709

@SoulfullyAButterfly

Covid 19 – Loneliness and coping strategies

Times have changed and Covid-19 has brought about lockdown and social distancing further affecting our emotional wellbeing. The feeling of loneliness has spread among all of us. From not being able to meet our loved ones to being alone in quarantine, it can surely get lonely at times. While these are difficult days, you can still navigate through them with some coping strategies until things get back to normal.

Social media and having an online network can help curb loneliness ⁽¹⁾. Even if you cannot meet everyone in person, you can still be connected to them virtually. However, when those zoom calls or chats are not enough, going outside might be a good option ⁽²⁾. Taking a walk in the nature while practising social distancing might also make you feel more connected with the people around you and a little less lonely. Taking care of your physical health is also good for your mental health. Exercise and sports during Covid times, will not only help you stay fit but also boost your wellbeing ^(1),(3). Moreover, if you believe in the higher power, religious and spiritual activities can also act as a coping strategy ⁽⁴⁾. At the end, just remember that you are not alone, and you can always reach out to your loved ones or seek professional support ⁽¹⁾.

_{(1) https://assets.researchsquare.com/files/rs-93878/v2/6d97efa7-f2b2-4278-a707-e760bbf58a2e.pdf?c=1631880810}

_{(2) https://www.ecommunity.com/healthminute/2020/how-beat-loneliness-during-covid-19}

_{(3) https://www.womenshealthmag.com/uk/health/mental-health/a32266579/loneliness-lockdown/https://www.womenshealthmag.com/uk/health/mental-health/a32266579/loneliness-lockdown/}

_{(4) https://assets.researchsquare.com/files/rs-93878/v2/6d97efa7-f2b2-4278-a707-e760bbf58a2e.pdf?c=1631880810}

@loyalace9302

Hi Loyal :)

I thought your post was very hopeful and full of empathy. I like how you mentioned that we all can feel lonely, letting the reader know that they are not alone in these feelings. You've got a lot of references which is great but I wonder if they could come from more reliable sources?

I think you've given the reader several strategies to try and use in a clear way too :) I like the way you mentioned different sources of support e.g. reaching out to loved ones, here, spiritual/religious guidance.

Thanks for sharing!

@gentleFox20

Thankyou for your feedback! :)

Coping with Loneliness During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Using Hobbies To Cope

The pandemic has changed our day to day in lots of ways and it can be difficult to find some sense of stability in this overwhelming and scary time. Missing family and friends can impact our mood greatly and make it hard to find motivation and enjoyment. Interrupted schedules or routines can leave us feeling lost and unsure. Here are some ideas for how to regain a sense of enjoyment and stability by exploring our hobbies.

Spending time creating, problem solving, exploring and playing can support us in enjoying life especially during a global crisis. Hobbies often include these qualities and can be an ideal way to spend time with yourself. Some hobbies may offer a chance at learning a new skill or perfecting an old one such as baking, learning a new language or playing an instrument. Hobbies that are passive can still have positive effects, they don't need to have a specific outcome to gain enjoyment from them. For example, bird watching does not entail making anything or using particular skills, however connecting with nature and watching something intently can still bring us joy and a sense of achievement. For more hobby ideas reach out to the Hobby Community here.

Prevalence and predictors of general psychiatric disorders and loneliness during COVID-19 in the United Kingdom, Psychiatry Research, Volume 291,2020, Lambert Zixin Li, Senhu Wang,

https://www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters/coronavirus/mental-wellbeing-while-staying-at-home/#do-things-you-enjoy

@gentleFox20

I didn't mean to have the entire content bold, apologies!

@gentleFox20

What I liked :

- Your tone is warm and understanding, which makes your article reassuring.
- You are using a link to the NHS recommendation which I think makes it a piece of accessible information yet authority.
- You included a link back to 7 cups in the Hobby Community, I thought that was really good.

Ideas for improvement :

- You are using "coping" in the title and "to cope" in the headline, maybe could you find another way to prevent the repetition?
- Since you suggested contemplation, maybe it could have been interesting to make the connection with appreciation, which lowers anxiety levels?

@SoulfullyAButterfly

My Writing Flow State Notes

How I navigate the return to the intuitive epiphanies,

To invoke that I may evoke

That which seems numinous, sublime,

apparent in apprehension

at least, to me;

I possess no other measure.

Mind-states.

I submit some samples here below, such as I attempted to note yesterday.

anticipation, exhilaration, absorption, (ie: focused attention), awe

transportation, captivation, immersion.

@SoulfullyAButterfly

Work related stress

As we all know, covid has been a very challenging part of our lives. Covid has disrupted our everyday functioning and many of us have had to suffer because of that. Covid has not only affected our day-to-day activities but also financial sectors of the world. Laying off from huge companies has been one of the drawbacks of covid. Economic rate had been lowered and the poverty rate had been increased to 32% from 27%. This has had a huge impact on people’s mental health. One such example is of my sister who had been laid off and this made her feel depressed and lonely in life. Staying at home, being locked away from the outside world, not being able to earn can have a huge impact on lives. Even though she was surrounded with her family, all she felt was discouragement and a sense of loneliness within her.

She manifested a perfect life to come out of this hard situation. Have you heard about the law of attraction or manifestation? Well, that has changed her life. She manifested a life where she was independent and happy with her living. This encouraged her to come out of the deep hole and make herself feel loved and cared for. She also used dance as a form of coping with loneliness. She made dance her best friend. She maintained a journal which made her feel connected to something she believed in. There were days I had seen her weeping and my heart ached seeing that. But seeing her turn that into a positive thing and coming out stronger is something I appreciate. If she can do it, so can you!

Talking to peers going through similar situations also helps to feel validated about how they feel. At 7 cups, we provide validation and compassion to everyone going through a tough time. We want to be friends with everyone who feels alone internally and give in our best for them to come out of the situation stronger and better.

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Feng-Hou-4/publication/342747625_Economic_Impact_of_COVID-19_Among_Visible_Minority_Groups/links/5f049520a6fdcc4ca4531505/Economic-Impact-of-COVID-19-Among-Visible-Minority-Groups.pdf

@yourbuddy30

I liked your strong use of facts which provided a grounded basis for your post. The use of percentages made the scope easily understood and memorable, allowing readers to easily reference back to them. I like the use of an example, as that allows the readers to put themselves in the shoes of someone else and envision themselves in your sister’s situation. However, I would say it’s important to be careful regarding the use of examples that are very personal, as they might not work depending on the audience for the written content. Such as a personal mental health awareness blog versus the newsletter for a mental health awareness brand.

The Surprising Value in Volunteering

Selfless volunteering done for altruistic value or social connections has been shown to have health benefits, but did you know it can also make you feel less lonely? When conventional means of networking might be unavailable or limited, such as in person schooling, work, or recreational activities, taking a proactive role in your community might be able to provide that fulfillment. Volunteering for a position where you will have a large amount of contact with others, such as your fellow volunteers and those you will be helping, can enable you to meet new people in the midst of the pandemic. Depending on where you volunteer, you can ask the volunteer manager how to increase the social benefits you get from the experience such as when their busiest hours are.

Keywords: lonely, pandemic, networking, volunteering, social, in person, meet new people

@empatheticpie

Hey!

Strengths:

I really liked your writing and the scope of your paragraph. It is easily understood and engaging to read. The information it contained was a good take on the topic as well.

Areas of improvement:

Since the overall article would be on coping with loneliness during Covid I think you would need to tie up what you stated with the pandemic. It would also improve the quality of your work if you could find a source or research in the topic of volunteering to combat loneliness during lockdown.

@SoulfullyAButterfly

Coping with Loneliness During the COVID-19 Pandemic as Young Person

At a time when socialising is an important part of development, children and young people are finding themselves stuck at home. The Covid 19 pandemic is undoubtedly increasingly affecting young people’s mental health. It is important to take into consideration the struggles that young people are facing and will continue to face in light of the pandemic.

@guidamaximo

I liked the scope of your writing, of how it deals with young people and the references that you have cited. I also like how you have given an in-text reference relating to the same for the readers to get more information from.

@SoulfullyAButterfly

Coping with loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic

The insufficiency of digital contact

The distressing experience and the feelings of isolation that has plagued millions of people during the COVID-19 pandemic due to imposing of the lockdown has created a significant impact on people's lives. Spending time away from one’s family and friends in isolation has resulted in distress causing increased feelings of loneliness. Among the different coping strategies that people use to deal with loneliness, some have relied on digital contact and social media. Digital interaction amid the loss of in-person interaction is an insufficient alternative.^[1] This has resulted in a vicious cycle for feelings of loneliness resulted in excessive use of social media which eventually resulted in an increase in anxiety levels. This is an area of concern and night require clinical attention.^[2] If this is something that concerns you, you might want to look at different coping strategies and reach out for help which is a step away. If every person can make a commitment to reaching out to one person they are concerned might be lonely once a week, that would be a good thing.^[3]

References:

https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0258344

https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2021/02/young-adults-teens-loneliness-mental-health-coronavirus-covid-pandemic/

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2020.586222/full

@SunshineNaina

Great use of sources and you took an angle to it I wouldn't have even thought of. Love your sub headline as well!

The Statistics: 2018 and 2022

Loneliness was already considered an epidemic before the pandemic, but social distancing and mandatory isolation due to the highly contagious and infectious COVID-19 virus has increased loneliness significantly. According to research conducted by Cigna a global health organization, in 2018 about 46% of all individuals surveyed reported feelings of loneliness, in 2022 the research showed that 57% of men and 59% of women reported being lonely, which is about a 13% jump from 2018. Both studies indicated people of minority groups indicated higher levels of loneliness. Now the guidelines of the pandemic have loosened, the rates of loneliness still have not seen a return, so how can we cope with the lasting negative side effect caused by the pandemic?

@InvaderStitch

I like that this paragraph included so much data. A couple of things may improve this piece, but otherwise a very captivating read.

First, I believe this paragraph reads in a very scholarly tone. So working on readability. I also struggle with sounding overly scholarly and have been focusing on my tone. I would love your feedback on the paragraph I submitted if you have time.

Second, in the discussion activity guidelines, specifically, Things to Avoid, @SoulfullyAButterfly talked about forgetting to answer the why. I wonder if this may need further attention as I was left wondering, what increased rates are and how can we cope.

Finally, I just wanted to say I appreciated the link in the text, this pulled me into the rabbit hole and I loved the little educational journey it sent me on.

@broadfemmelovelive

I appreciate the feedback. I'm not sure I know how to write non-fiction in a non-scholarly tone thanks to the education system! As a biology major, then switching to psychology, most of my college writing was research papers, I may try to explore ways to soften my tone and make it more readable for people who prefer the less scholarly and more casual tone when they read.

The "why" didn't make it into the brief paragraph, but if I would have continued I would have added more about why it is believed that loneliness has increased, but I was trying to stay focused for the paragraph without overwhelming my reader too much. Though, definitely including the why is important when reading an article because it helps tie all of the information together and gives it a purpose for reading, thanks for that reminder as I start considering my article topic.

Chosen Article: https://www.7cups.com/experts/article/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-the-different-types

3 Top Strengths of Article

• Using the DSM 5 as a source provides a sense of trust with the authors content because the DSM 5 is the authority on how to diagnose mental health conditions.

• The author was very thorough, yet concise in how she described the different types of PTSD and how they differ from one another

• The author also provides the reader with empathy and hope by providing resources to help when someone is experiencing symptoms related to PTSD.

EAT from Article:

Expertise: author graduated from CDM Program, is a listener on 7cups, and has spent time learning about the topic.

Authoritativeness: has completed the CDM Program and had other articles published on 7cups

Trust: using reputable sources and providing accurate information about the topic.

Accidentally posted this is the wrong thread. Too many tabs open!

@SoulfullyAButterflyLoneliness is normal but can hurt, good news is everyone experiences it at some point in their life and there are coping strategies that have helped many people. The pandemic has resulted in increased rates reported of individuals with feelings of loneliness and isolation. Although we see restrictions lift in most major cities, many people find it difficult to return to post-pandemic normals. Hajek and König uncovered that people most vulnerable to loneliness/social isolation were males, younger people, single people (divorced and widowed included), newly immigrated, those lacking extra-curricular activities, and those who avoided smoking/drinking(2022). If one is feeling lonely or socially isolated, Mia, an expert writer for 7 Cups, has some coping strategies. The article is framed for the holidays but is still relevant all year. Mia states that coping strategies such as practicing gratitude, connection, helping others in need, and distracting extra-curricular activities have helped members of the 7 Cups community when feeling solitude and loneliness. It is encouraging that this is available in a free and online capacity increasing access to support for people vulnerable to isolation. To wrap up, coping during the pandemic changed due to restrictions, and despite easing restrictions, lonely people will still benefit from adapting coping strategies embodied in the community at 7 cups.

Hajek, A., König, HH. Prevalence and correlates of loneliness, perceived and objective social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Evidence from a representative survey in Germany. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 57, 1969–1978 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-022-02295-x

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00127-022-02295-x

Mia. (2020, December 25). Coping with Loneliness During the Holidays. 7 Cups. Retrieved January 6, 2023, from https://www.7cups.com/experts/article/coping-with-loneliness-during-the-holidays

Explanation of Paragraph

I started by checking out WordStream and curating a list of keywords for the content. After this, I read a few recent scholarly articles, searching the keywords pandemic and loneliness. I decided my paragraph's focus would lean into the audience most vulnerable to social isolation/loneliness and quoted the experts. The tone of this paragraph is to be an informative expert, including scholarly evidence that identified vulnerable populations satisfied this. I paid particular attention to the section ‘Things To Avoid’ in the Discussion notes. My unique take was acknowledging vulnerable groups and including current research content that relates not only to the topic but the community outreach that 7 Cups is doing.

@broadfemmelovelive

I really like the relatability to the reader you have in your paragraph. I think when I was reading it, the biggest critique is it feels like it packs a whole lot of info into one paragraph. I feel you started out really strong with a great introductory sentence or two. I liked the inclusion of research and how you included the minority groups, I do think that could have been expanded into it's own paragraph--if you were writing a full article and not a paragraph only). I also think that using Mia's article as a resource was a neat idea, perhaps you could have provided a hyperlink to that article for further reading. I also think that could have been its own paragraph that would make a great conclusion for an article.

Overall I think your information was great and I look forward to seeing a longer piece where you can organize your thoughts into multiple paragraphs because I think your style and info your brought to this paragraph definitely promotes expertise, authority, and trust!

Strengths: I really liked how the you acknowledged the loniness was a common feeling and provided strategies for coping that helped others. The info used was also credible as the research was conducted by Hajek and König.

Area for improvement: This is more so a personal writing style thing. But perhaps reorganizing the paragraph into 2 paragraphs so that it can include little bit a more providing more context and information about loneliness and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the prevalence of loneliness.

@SoulfullyAButterfly

In addition to pandemics, loneliness can cause the same trauma to the body as COVID-19. In April 2020, 95 percent of Americans were ordered to stay home to help stop the spread of COVID-19. While social distance is a vital life-saving measure, this new state of solitude can affect people’s mental health. In fact, the National Suicide Prevention Hotline has recently seen a 300 percent increase in phone calls. (Psychology Today April 20, 2020). The article discussed how loneliness can increase the risk of mental health issues like depressive symptoms and physical health issues like insomnia. It becomes a cycle of growing issues of mental and physical wellness when our inner critic is telling us "You’re all alone." You’re so pathetic. You can’t handle this. You’re a mess. You’re so selfish, lazy, useless, out of shape, etc."

In the article, one exercise for coping with loneliness discusses writing down your inner voices in the "You" statement to separate the first-person viewpoint from that of being an observer. For example, if your inner critic says to you "I'm alone" then if you observe it you can change it to say "I have people who love me and support me."

As each of us has different circumstances and situations that can add stress and fuel a negative inner critic, facing loneliness is not an easy task. The fight against loneliness becomes less daunting and more hopeful with patience and a positive support group.

Source: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/compassion-matters/202004/coping-loneliness-during-pandemic

@Vivikun9

I love this! The first strength I would say is the use of the source, it is very suitable to the point that you're making! I also like the quotes to show the inner critic as it allows people to relate. Finally, I love the overall feeling of empathy. One suggestion I would say is to use a story. Great job!

@amybrit10

Thank you for the feedback! I will keep that in mind when I write my article :)

@Vivikun9 This was a great introduction paragraph! I must say, you are a phenomenal writer! Your paragraph contained quotes, sources, and facts and I can tell you put much thought into it. I am very proud of you and look forward to reading more of your writing. Great job.

@Vivikun9

I like how you Wrote statistics date by date and percentages about how much loneliness was affected by Covid-19. Areas of improvement I can say that more tips added will make it more informative.

@SoulfullyAButterfly

Coping with Loneliness During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Feeling Isolated

Covid-19 has had a tremendous effect on our everyday lives. It can be a tough time, not being able to see your friends and leave the house. Feeling lonely can be common during these times. Let's discuss how we can combat this.

One way to prevent loneliness is by actively keeping in contact with your friends and family. This could be through Zoom calls; for example, my friends and I did a weekly Zoom dinner party. This helped maintain my relationships while still socially distancing.

Another way could be starting a new hobby. This can be excited and can help forget about having to be isolated. You could start reading, painting, and music. Hobbies have been shown to lower depressive symptoms (Fancourt et al., 2022).

@amybrit10

I like the headline "Feeling isolated" it gives a straightforward approach ^^

Bringing up your own experience was a good element that gives a reader an idea of how they can stay connected.

I think the only thing I would add is maybe explaining more about how taking up a new hobby helps with the depressive symptoms like what does it do or is it a way to keep the mind occupied?

overall, I love this :3

@SoulfullyAButterfly

5. How to Cope with Loneliness during the Pandemic

We, humans are social animals, and the pandemic has had a detrimental effect on the social life of us, which has led to increased loneliness among individuals of all ages. The main factors causing loneliness during the COVID‑19 pandemic are Age (in a U‑shape way), gender, quality of social contacts, low competence, socio‑economicstatus, and chronic medical conditions (Solmi et. al., 2020). The problem with loneliness is it can cause significant decrease in mental as well as physical health.

lReach out to family and friends in all possible ways like video calls, phone calls and chats, so that one might feel more connected with the outside world

lTry something new, a hobby, a club or virtual camps that can be done within the restrictions of the pandemic. Engaging oneself in different activities can help in coping with loneliness.

lShare your feelings with others, express yourself more and if needed be part of psychological support groups and communities, where you can share your emotions and experiences in a safe space without being judged.

For more information go through the detailed article.

Other References

lSolmi, Marco, Nicola Veronese, Daiana Galvano, Angela Favaro, Edoardo G. Ostinelli, Vania Noventa, Elisa Favaretto, Florina Tudor, Matilde Finessi, Jae Il Shin, and et al. 2020. Factors Associated With Loneliness: An Umbrella Review Of Observational Studies. Journal of Affective Disorders 271: 131–38

@Jish07541

Please discard this and refer to the next formatted paragraph

@SoulfullyAButterfly

How to Cope with Loneliness during the Pandemic

We, humans are social animals, and the pandemic has had a detrimental effect on the social life of us, which has led to increased loneliness among individuals of all ages. The main factors causing loneliness during the COVID‑19 pandemic are Age (in a U‑shape way), gender, quality of social contacts, low competence, socio‑economicstatus, and chronic medical conditions (Solmi et. al., 2020). The problem with loneliness is it can cause significant decrease in mental as well as physical health.

• Reach out to family and friends in all possible ways like video calls, phone calls and chats, so that one might feel more connected with the outside world
• Try something new, a hobby, a club or virtual camps that can be done within the restrictions of the pandemic. Engaging oneself in different activities can help in coping with loneliness
• Share your feelings with others, express yourself more and if needed be part of psychological support groups and communities, where you can share your emotions and experiences in a safe space without being judged.

For more information go through the detailed article.

Other References

Solmi, Marco, Nicola Veronese, Daiana Galvano, Angela Favaro, Edoardo G. Ostinelli, Vania Noventa, Elisa Favaretto, Florina Tudor, Matilde Finessi, Jae Il Shin, and et al. 2020. Factors Associated With Loneliness: An Umbrella Review Of Observational Studies. Journal of Affective Disorders 271: 131–38

@Jish07541

I love how you include and how you write citations and references by the end of your article. I have a suggestion for to put a heads up before you present your points to the audience. As example: "Here are some ways that we could try to cope with loneliness during the pandemic:" My sentence could be adjusted to make it sounds better. That's just a suggestion from me. Other than that, You have done great work with the article, Keep it up and all the best for your final article!

@Jish07541 Hi! I really liked your information.

Here are some things I thought you did well:

- Your sources seem very credible!

- You offer information about why we might be lonely, then offer suggestions.

- You provided an extra article for those needing more information.

Improvements:

Even though your information is credible and likely true, the beginning doesn't suggest that the isolation of covid-19 might also be a cause of loneliness.

Overall, I enjoyed reading. Thank you for putting so much effort into your response!

Topic: “Coping with Loneliness During the COVID-19 Pandemic”

Article:

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about unprecedented challenges, and one of the most significant challenges has been the feeling of loneliness. With the global lockdowns, social distancing measures, and restrictions on gatherings, people have been cut off from their social support systems and routine interactions with others. As a result, many people are experiencing feelings of isolation, sadness, and depression.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), loneliness and social isolation have been identified as significant risk factors for mental health problems, including depression and anxiety. Furthermore, a recent study by the Mental Health Foundation found that loneliness levels in the UK have increased significantly since the pandemic began, with almost half of all adults (45%) reporting feeling lonely at least sometimes, compared to just over a quarter (26%) before the pandemic.

It is crucial to address the issue of loneliness during this challenging time and to provide support to those who are struggling. This article aims to provide practical tips and resources to help individuals cope with feelings of loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sources:

• World Health Organization. (2021, January 28). Loneliness and social isolation as a major public health issue. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-health-day/world-health-day-2021
  
• Mental Health Foundation. (2021, June). The Loneliness Report. Retrieved from https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/publications/loneliness-report