Advantages and disadvantages of having Chronic Illness in coping with loneliness during the pandemic

In many ways Covid-19 has been harder on people who already had chronic health conditions than the general population but in some ways it has been easier, as those with chronic conditions had a head start over most people in finding ways for themselves to deal with isolation and changes in one’s way of life that the pandemic has forced nearly everyone to deal with in one way or another. Increased stress levels and daily routines being thrown for a loop during the pandemic have made mental health awareness and self care more important than ever. Looking at examples of how chronic illness patients have dealt with the roller coaster ride of symptoms common in many chronic conditions can be a good starting point for finding ways to adapt to the “new normal” of the pandemic era. Instead of giving up on routines all together, it's important to stick as closely as possible to routines that work for you while adding flexible options into it. Several good points were made by Ash Fisher in an article she wrote for Healthline called “7 Ways I Adjusted to Chronic Illness and Got On with My Life” in which she describes actions one can take and questions one can ask themselves in the process such as “What could help you get up every day? What small act or ritual will help you feel more human?” Look at your routine you had before life had to drastically change and think about what alternative ways you could fulfil the needs the things in your old routine fulfilled. An example important to the topic of loneliness is staying connected to social groups. If church plays a major role in your life, look into what ways your church is using tools such as Zoom to stay connected. If you participated in support or recovery groups such as AA or DBSA look online for virtual meetings with these organizations and what possibilities they are looking at to transition safely back into in person support in the near future. Group and 1:1 connections via text based chat are available on 7cups.com. Other online communities and platforms such as MeetUp and EventBrite have shifted their focus from in-person gatherings to online opportunities with a large variety of topics including meetings hosted by organizations such as NAMI chapters, as well as exercise classes, virtual museum visits, game nights, dance parties and many, many, more.

Sources:

https://www.healthline.com/health/adjusting-to-chronic-illness#4.-I-connected-with-my-community

https://www.aa.org/pages/en_US/options-for-meeting-online

https://www.dbsalliance.org/

https://www.nami.org/Support-Education/Support-Groups

Connecting with real humans…virtually

Early in the pandemic, I was unemployed, suffering from social isolation, and my mental health was declining. Thankfully, a friend told me about 7 Cups, a free service that pairs people who want to talk with trained listeners who provide support. I volunteered mostly for the opportunity to connect with other people. I loved talking with people from all over the world about a variety of things. But soon the conversations increasingly began with “I feel lonely” or “I feel so alone.” I spent a lot of time brainstorming with people about how they could meet their need for connection. The only realistic options were online. Fortunately, organizations like National Alliance on Mental Illness stepped into the gap, publishing useful, creative ideas for staying connected in a distanced and disconnected world. A Zoom call may never feel as good as a hug. But they helped many of us survive, even thrive during difficult times.

Note: The highlighted words are popular keywords for "loneliness" as identified by wordstream.com.

@SoulfullyAButterfly
Coping with Loneliness During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Are we okay?
When days are dark, friends are few… But what happens when we’re all in darkness? During these dark times, no one has the luxury of asking anyone if they are okay. This pandemic is mentally, physically, and spiritually draining for everyone. What we need to realize is that we’re not okay, together. We need to find comfort that we all hope that everyone else is okay and rely on faith for a better tomorrow. We need to accept that it's okay not to be okay and that brings us closer together. WE ARE NOT ALONE.
Inspiration source: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/07481187.2020.1772410

@SoulfullyAButterfly

The Impact of the Pandemic

For those of us struggling with mental disorders, the pandemic’s impact can be felt on a much deeper level. With this overwhelming sense of chaos and increased isolation, it’s difficult to adapt to this new situation. It’s easy to be consumed by the dire news of loss due to COVID-19, but also the wave of change it brought with it such as hate, violence, and pseudoscience. In these difficult times, the need to lean on others for support and create a community of empathy is made obvious. It’s hard to create a routine of self-care but we can slowly take small steps towards taking care of ourselves first.

(Here is the source I pulled from: https://www.psycom.net/mental-health-social-media-covid)

@SoulfullyAButterfly

People are getting back into the habit of reading during this pandemic: here’s why you should too

Dealing with loneliness during this long, long period of self-isolation has led to people using different strategies as coping mechanisms. A survey conducted in the UK revealed that people have spent almost double the amount they normally do on reading books since the COVID-19 lockdown began, especially with genres like crime and thrillers.
All around us is uncertainty – with travel plans cancelled, families separated, we aren’t sure when things will get better. One thing is for sure, though: books are a constant, something that you can turn to if you want to escape reality for even a bit, something that gives you the same feeling as travelling and adventure without the numerous risks that come with it. Crime and thrillers, specifically, also represent the values that we think we might have lost in these troubling times: the triumph of good over evil, the solving of a mystery that seems unhopeful at best. This surge in readership does not, therefore, come as a surprise.
Renowned crime fiction writers – like Louise Doughty and Peter May – have commented on the same in an article published in The Guardian, saying that people returning to reading in search of the familiar to cope in this unfamiliar environment is a universal experience in this pandemic.
So, huddle up with your favourite book and get to reading – maybe your next adventure is waiting there.

Sources: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/may/15/research-reading-books-surged-lockdown-thrillers-crime

Coping with Loneliness During the COVID-19 Pandemic

An introduction to Loneliness during COVID-19

COVID-19 has affected almost everyone’s lives, and for many among us, having to stick to strict self-isolation and quarantine rules for extended amounts of time has been difficult. Many people have been left feeling lonely, and without their usual support systems reachable, the prevalence of mental health conditions has rapidly increased.

Without being able to meet up with friends and family, or visit social places, it can make your world feel very small and alone, which is never nice to experience, particularly if you feel refined to your own home. It is natural, and okay to be struggling with this isolation – change is difficult, and having these negative feelings about not being able to do the things you enjoy is normal.

Whilst this period of isolation will not last forever, in the meantime it can be hard to feel estranged from your surroundings. In this article, we will talk through some of the main causes of loneliness, as well as some of the options you have to help combat this, and the personal stories of people who have themselves experienced loneliness during lockdown. However, different things work for different people, and it may take time for you to start feeling less lonely.

Here is a link to some ideas to get you started with tackling your loneliness, Coping with loneliness during COVID-19 - Every Mind Matters - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

These ideas will be further explored below, with ideas as to how you can use them to help with your daily life.

COVID-19 has impacted so many lives, and loneliness is becoming a big issue for many people. Here on 7-Cups, we hope you find a supportive and welcoming community – you can reach out to a listener here: https://www.7cups.com/BrowseListeners

or find a self-help guide to get you started here: Self Help Guides | 7 Cups

(Source used: Coping with loneliness during COVID-19 - Every Mind Matters - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

@SoulfullyAButterfly

Activities against loneliness in Covid times

The year 2020 hasn‘t been easy for people around the globe due to worldwide lockdowns and restrictions in meeting other people. A lot of people experienced loneliness, especially young people or people who stay alone. Since the world still isn‘t out of the pandemic yet here are some ideas from Mental Health Foundation on how to cope with loneliness:

- stay in contact with your loved ones

- discover new hobbies

- try to continue old hobbies online

- exercise.

Through keeping ourselves busy we can prevent to feel too lonely, which in the end can help us to avoid mental issues such as depression or anxiety as well as stress.

(Note: In an article I would describe all the activities to cope with loneliness a little more, I just thought it would be too much for now)

Coping with loneliness during the pandemic

Self care practices amidst a pandemic

The pandemic has hit us all pretty hard and the effects are devastating to say the least. It is natural to feel lonely and isolated during this time but for a prolonged period of time these affect our health and impact our overall lifestyle negatively . It is all the more needed to indulge in self care and keep a safety kit ready for times when it becomes hard to cope. For what it's worth, we are all together in this , while some thing may work for one it might not work for another and that's okay, we have all the time to be patient with ourselves and figure out what works for us the best.

“Self-care is the necessity to do things that are good for our physical, emotional or psychological well-being” . It helps us feel enriched and nourished . Self care could be anything from painting your nails , journaling , traveling to your favorite spot to setting boundaries with someone who doesn't align well with your emotional health , putting off tasks till you're feeling ready for them and possibly anything that is capable of making you feel lighter and better emotionally , mentally or physically.
We will be further discussing some self care practices and how can we incorporate them to help us alleviate our loneliness and aid us in better managing our emotions amidst the pandemic .

https://www.nami.org/Your-Journey/Family-Members-and-Caregivers/Taking-Care-of-Yourself

“Coping with Loneliness During the COVID-19 Pandemic”

Unexpected benefits of solitude

Social distancing during COVID-19 Pandemic is an essential safety measure to contain the virus and to keep us away from danger. However, it can inevitably lead to an increase in feelings of loneliness which is a critical public health concern. One way to cope with such a challenge is to look at it from an optimistic angle and to consider being alone as an opportunity for growth rather than a setback.

Painful feelings of loneliness might actually be a result of not having attachment securities (believing one can trust others and expecting that they will be available and responsive when needed). Thus, although time alone due to covid can be anxiety provoking, it still is able to force us to confront our fears which allows meaningful internal dialogues, self-discovery and healing.

In the past, countless social movements and practices were instigated by solitary experiences. We can refer to famous tales of spiritual leaders like Buddha, Mohammed or Jesus who reached enlightenment after periods of solitude. Therefore, it is fair to say that being alone might provide freedom from status quo or social constraints and remove distractions in order for us to truly connect with who we are and what our core values are.

@SoulfullyAButterfly

Coping with Loneliness During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Mental and Physcial Effects of Social Isolation

The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly impacted our daily lives, from Zoom calls to social distancing in supermarkets. With this type of social isolation, it brings along feelings of loneliness. Studies have shown that continued isolation can effect a person's overall health. According to the NCBI, "Loneliness is associated with various physical and mental repercussions, including elevated systolic blood pressure and increased risk for heart disease. " (ncbi.gov) Loneliness is also linked to depressive symptoms and increases levels of cortisol in the body. However, by recognizing these symptoms, and understanding that we are not alone in feeling this way, we can overcome these challenges.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7306546/