6) Ensuring Best Writing Practices

@SoulfullyAButterfly 

"Coping with Loneliness During the COVID-19 Pandemic" 

How to break the cycle of Lonliness

A study ( https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0265900 ) on lonliness during the COVID - 19 depicted that social lonliness can lead to emotional lonliness as well especially during the COVID protocol phase where social distancing and no physical contact where needed. 

Lonliness is a symptom and a predictor of depression and goes on in a cycle. Here's how you can break the cycle of lonliness : 

1. Make connections : Making connections means to form real life relationships. Making friends on social media accounts doesn't mean having them stand by you. Real life connections are the ones that go a long way. 

2. Adjust your lifestyle : Excercising regularly, having a good diet, enagaging in a minfulness activities can help in improving and shielding against both the mental health as well as physical health. These changes can be as little as limiting the caffeine intakes. 

3. Get a pet : Many studies on keeping a pet says that, pet helps in lowering anxiety, stress and lonliness. Dogs are often said to be humans best friends. Having a pet can help in reducing the severity of the symptoms of loneliness. Animal therapy is more common in the recent times. 

4. Seek help : There is always an option to seek a professional help. There are many platforms available online to help you get therapy from the comfort of your home. 7cups ( https://www.7cups.com/member/BecomeMember.php )is one such platform where you can find peer supports, listener, therapists and forum supports and so much more. 

Last but not the least #prioritizeyourmentalhealth because #mentalhealthmatters !

@Happysouled I like these recommendations! Putting them in a list makes it easier to navigate the text. Well done!

Loneliness became a significant mental health issue during the COVID-19 pandemic as social distancing measures isolated individuals from their communities. According to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 40% of U.S. adults reported struggling with mental health issues, including feelings of loneliness, due to the pandemic's impact. Social isolation, compounded by the fear of infection and uncertainty about the future, led to increased anxiety and depression. To cope with this loneliness, experts suggest maintaining virtual connections and engaging in online communities like those offered by 7 Cups, which provide peer support and sharing circles to help individuals manage their feelings and find comfort during these trying times.

@Mellietronx this was a very good paragraph you covered lots of the possible keywords, brought it back to 7cups and made it compassionate, one thing i would work on is including 2 sources and sending a direct link to one of them  

Paragraph on Coping with Loneliness During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Loneliness and Self-isolation was amongst the biggest mental health issues related to the global pandemic. Between Quarantine and social distancing daily social activities were limited to zoom, phone calls or social media. Due to the overuse of virtual connections digital fatigue was experienced by many. This loneliness epidemic led to a 25% increase of people experiencing depression and depressive symptoms in accordance to an article written by (who.int). With an increase in isolation and depression common coping skills may include:  creative outlets including art and music, volunteering, meditation, positive thinking, journaling, and gratitude practice to name a few options. Other options include virtual connections with loved ones and friends and engaging in digital communities like 7cups. 7cups offers free peer support through anonymous non-judgmental listening, as well as the opportunity to meet others and create a more developed support system  Psychology Today.

Works Cited 7 Tips for Handling Isolation During the Pandemic | Psychology Today COVID-19 pandemic triggers 25% increase in prevalence of anxiety and depression worldwide (who.int)

@SoulfullyAButterfly

 Social isolation doesn't mean humans would feel lonely, research say

According to APA, loneliness is having poorer communication and relationship quality than one needs, while isolation means one has few connections. (APA,2020) has found a 5% increase in loneliness, but it depends on each individual; some feel less, and some feel more lonely. Online communication seems to be a helpful coping strategy, as it maintains a helpful and supportive network of relationships. In some cases where family stay home together, this is a healthy coping when they strengthen their prenatal and/or wife-husband bond.Some non-communication methods such as self-help books or self-care had found a positive impact on one's mental health. However, more research has to be conducted to understand the underlying issues, and seem like social isolation is just merely one of many factors that contribute to loneliness

@Eitas Study: Loneliness did not appear to increase during COVID-19 pandemic (apa.org)

COVID-19 pandemic led to increase in loneliness around the world (apa.org)

@SoulfullyAButterfly

Loneliness and COVID-19 Pandemic 

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly altered the course of the world. Beyond its impact on the global  economy and politics, it has had a profound effect on public health, both mental and physical.

One of the psychological consequences of the global COVID-19 pandemic is loneliness and social isolation. Physical distancing and lockdowns have led to social isolation, loss of 

income, feelings of loneliness, lethargy, and decreased social support. 

Social media and engaging in hobbies have played a crucial role in helping people cope with feelings of loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many individuals discovered or rediscovered their talents and hobbies which helped distract them and provided an outlet for their emotions, thoughts, and a sense of accomplishment. Professional help has also been an effective tool in overcoming loneliness, while exercise and meditation have been shown to reduce anxiety.

References :

Lancet Psychiatry 2020;7:8_24. How mental health care should change as a consequence of the COVI_19 pandemic.

I like that you included validation of feelings and helpful coping strategies, as well as a reference. As a tip, maybe add more details to the coping strategies, and include in-text citations or hyperlinks.

One Idea for Coping with Loneliness 

Even though the pandemic forces us to be physically away from our loved ones or community members, there are still ways to connect with each other. For instance, you can start a virtual hobby with your friends, such as playing a multiplayer video game or hosting watch parties. You can also engage in physical hobbies while sending virtual updates to your community. If you do not know you to share such updates with, you can start with one of the forums on 7Cups!

If you cannot think of a suitable hobby, even getting on a call with a friend can be helpful.

Coping with Loneliness During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has intensified feelings of loneliness, affecting mental health significantly. According to the Office for National Statistics, 7.2% of adults in Great Britain reported feeling lonely “often” or “always” between October 2020 and February 2021, up from 5.0% in the early months of the pandemic. Social distancing, while necessary, has led to increased isolation, contributing to depressive symptoms and anxiety. To cope, it’s crucial to recognize that loneliness is not just about being alone but also about how we perceive our isolation. Engaging in activities like journaling can help manage negative thoughts. Building virtual connections and practicing self-compassion are also vital. Addressing the critical inner voice that exacerbates loneliness can alleviate some of the emotional burden.

Speaking of connecting with others virtually, 7 Cups is a website where you can speak with compassionate listeners who are trained in active listening skills. Whether you're lonely and in need of someone to talk or going through a rough patch emotionally, our listeners are ready to offer you a shoulder to lean on.

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