@Huriya Thank you for selecting my work to provide your comments. I appreciate it. I definitely could use some constructive feedback. Will use your tips in my future writing!

@SoulfullyAButterfly

Coping with Loneliness During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Problematic levels of loneliness are found in most countries throughout the world. A recent study found that more than 1 in 3 Americans face “serious loneliness” during the pandemic, with young adults and mothers with young children being affected the most. Loneliness is linked to a range of physical and mental health problems. “By nature, humans are social creatures who crave interaction with others. Without it, our mental health can significantly deteriorate,” said Paraskevi Noulas, PsyD, a psychologist at NYU Langone Health. Increasingly, COVID-19 restrictions are being removed, and more individuals are reentering society in ways they may have felt were out of their reach for the last two years. “Balance is really key here, so what mental health providers generally encourage is finding a mix of enjoying time on our own, be it for work or personal pleasure, mixed with pushing ourselves past our comfort zones to reengage more with others” (Noulas).

@MoonlightHelper1

Awesome work! Thank you for reposted it, Moon. Noted 💜

Tagging to notify @Izzy274 for the coursework and @bubblingSea6361 for Last Step clearance.

@SoulfullyAButterfly
Combating Loneliness During the COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdowns

Strict public health measures designed to contain the pandemic introduced a sudden change in everyday living. As lockdowns and other restrictions on social gatherings became a norm, the effect of the pandemic on mental and emotional health began to be evident (Lampraki, Hoffman, Roquet, & Jopp, 2022; Luchetti, Lee, Aschwanden, Sesker, Strickhouser, Terracciano, & Sutin, 2020).

There are many ways to deal with social isolation that is leading to loneliness. We share a few with you in this article.

Stay Active

Physical activity is crucial during these times for your overall well-being. Indulging in about 150 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity per week is recommended by WHO. You can learn more about WHO’s recommendations here and here.

Stay Connected

Fight the feelings of loneliness by staying connected with your friends and family. It is possible that work-from-home or study-from-from has made you feel exhausted from sitting in front of your screens. Try switching up how you stay in touch by choosing voice calls, sending texts, or even voice notes.

Learn Something New

If you find yourself having a lot of spare time, consider picking up a new hobby or learning something new. And just because you are limited to staying indoors, does not mean you cannot have group activities. Online groups and classes are a fun way to socialise while in a lockdown.

Don’t Let the Distance Bother You

There are many apps that allow you to watch your favourite movies, listen to music and more with your friends and family living far away. You can check out some great app suggestions by Fixing Port here. Playing multiplayer games or using Zoom, Google Meet, and other applications for family game nights, are just a few more ideas you can try.

Practise Self-care

Self-care with self-help guides and mindfulness exercises is a great start. But sometimes a compassionate listener can also help make a difference. At 7 Cups, you can find a listener 24/7 ready to hear you.

Despite everything, it is possible that feelings of loneliness linger. If you need to talk with a professional, our online therapy can help you start feeling better with a caring, licensed therapist.

It Gets Better

Remember, you are not alone. Taking steps to combat loneliness and caring for each other, we can make it through victoriously.

References:

Lampraki, C., Hoffman, A., Roquet, A., & Jopp, D. S. (2022). Loneliness during COVID-19: Development and influencing factors. Plos one, 17(3), e0265900.

Luchetti, M., Lee, J. H., Aschwanden, D., Sesker, A., Strickhouser, J. E., Terracciano, A., & Sutin, A. R. (2020). The trajectory of loneliness in response to COVID-19. American Psychologist, 75(7), 897.

World Health Organization. (n.d.). World Health Organization. Retrieved June 8, 2022, from https://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/health-emergencies/coronavirus-covid-19/publications-and-technical-guidance/noncommunicable-diseases/stay-physically-active-during-self-quarantine

World Health Organization. (n.d.). Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Staying active. Retrieved June 8, 2022, from https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/coronavirus-disease-covid-19-staying-active

Loneliness during coronavirus. Mental Health Foundation. (2022, January 19). Retrieved June 8, 2022, from https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/coronavirus/loneliness-during-coronavirus

@SoulfullyAButterfly

Coping with Loneliness during Covid-19

The sudden arrival of Covid-19 has led to a pandemic situation all over the world where each one of us are fighting every moment for our lives . Millions of people around the world are stuggling with not only physical health but also mental health during this pandemic situation. The fat that COVID has brought equal adverse effects on mental health as of physical health cannot be denied. According to WHO , COVID-19 pandemic has triggered 25% increase in prevalence of anxiety and depression worldwide. Along with this, Loneliness has created a major impact on people during this time . Being stuck within the four walls most of the time , unable to socialise , has isolated many people around the world making it difficult to cope with loneliness that gradually makes the person sink in depression. But not to worry , because you are not alone . We are all in this together and if we are to heal we are to fight through this together since at the end of the day , Like you a thousand others are also struggling through a variety of mental conditions during this pandemic time. Just as every lock has a key , there too are many solutions for coping up with loneliness

There are also a number of things one can follow to cope with loneliness :

• Take up some new activity or subject to learn and increase your expertise.
• Do things that you love and increase strenghning your hobbies and interests
• Focus on self-love and self healing , everyday learn and discover a new you because every time there is something new to learn , correct and paint a better version of ourselves.
• Keep virtual contact with the people you love and always ask for help when needed.

When we share our vulnerable stories and breakthroughs , they can help create a bridge for another person to cross...........

@SoulfullyAButterfly

In times of pandemic, it is easy for society to become consumed by its issues, with alarming articles becoming viral sensations. Stats and figures on the radio proclaim that Coronavirus rates are rising or falling, creating panic and devastation to the economy. Public television broadcasts several programs with conflicting information, causing confusion and frustration (Qu, Saffer and Austin). But for those who use their hands to communicate, with limited English skills, lipreading is their only gateway to communication (DeLand). The facemask law cut them off from the rest of society, there were no facial clues, and they became accustomed to loneliness. In this article, we will be exploring ways how deaf people can regain a sense of normality, and combat loneliness.

Works Cited

DeLand, Fred. The Story of Lip-Reading; Its Genesis and Development. Washington: Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf, 1968. Hardcover Book.

Qu, Yan, Adam J Saffer and Lucinda Austin. "What Drives People Away from COVID-19 Information?: Uncovering the Influences of Personal Networks on Information Avoidance." Health Communication (2021).

⚫ Quality Mentor ⚫Listener Coach ⚫Forum Supporter ⚫Project Agent

Tagging my buddies - @mynameisnicole @cosmicmiracle <3

@FrenchMarbles I'm still in module 3 my g

@MyNameIsNicole

Yer just so slow :P

Woooaaahhh this post came just when was ready to put pen to paper.

Will kick start with writing the paragraph.....

COPING WITH LONELINESS DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC :

The Role My Extended Family Played.

I am a full-time academic. The almost 2 years of work from home was a new and interesting challenge but brought with it its share of loneliness and claustrophobic feeling. But since I live in an extended family it was so comforting to spend quality time with them, particularly my father who passed away during the first wave.

Hence what could have been devastatingly lonely worked out so full of fun and togetherness.

👍👌👍

Eagerly waiting for your response. Feed back.

Thanks

@RideaRainbow Hey there :) I see that you've done this forum discussion. I love that you're writing from your point of view and sharing your story. It's one of a great way that we could connect to our reader.

However, it looks like your paragraph doesn't pass the required words which is minimum 100 words and please mention your sources within your paragraph at least one.

It would be much appreciated for you to improvise and rewrite and repost your article here and we're looking forward to it. Let us know if there's anything you would anything for us to assist you with.

Thanks for your feed back. Will surely work on it.

🌹

@SoulfullyAButterfly

Coping with Loneliness During the COVID-19 Pandemic

How to handle the day to day stress while in qaurentine with your children.

While in isolation in qaurentine, emotions and anxiety are running high for all family members. Sometimes our kids can get fussy more than usual, or say they are bored more than average. Theres a way to cure this stress and anxiety without wanting to rip your hair out moms and dads! A few tips include but not limited to are as follows. Try to get adequate sleep and stay on the same routine sleep schedule you would if you were going to work or school. This could help less anxiety in the kids mental well being who are very structured oriented. Reduce tv, social media, or screen time. Sitting for long periods of time can disrupt our brain schedule, we want to make sure we are still staying active somehow and not becoming couch potatos, try a fun game walking around the house a few times together(if allows) or even some yoga. Fun for all ages ! The fear of unknown can create stress for the children. Make sure you are giving them lots of love(such as loving touches, hugs, human contact) as they can not be in the outside world with there friends, which brings me too ZOOM. If comfortable, set up a weekly zoom with there friends where they can chat and be silly as socialization. Normalization is the biggest thing for you and your family, making the best of it and keeping a positive attitude through it all even though it can get hard sometimes, will keep things in motion for you all. Good luck!

@magicalocean594

@magicalOcean594

I forgot my links.

https://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/stress-coping/healthcare-workers-first-responders/index.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fhcp%2Fmental-health-healthcare.html

https://www.verywellfamily.com/how-to-reduce-your-child-s-stress-during-the-pandemic-5119477

https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbE51MklQcDFtaU02NjVVZmJLR2lKTEhVQTA2QXxBQ3Jtc0trZTBGRUN4T3RSVWtpRFVXYjlvNmtUVjhPVFhHNWJFbGpQbjlrTGo2MXBuaHNwMW5EMnRmdnJRd25xd3BrSlAxdTJUWXF6Tjh0dXQ2RzdmNnpRMFFNZFdDc2c4SnhDZm1fLUprRE8tVEo0R2ZDRUx5aw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.beond.tv%2F&v=n5LA_LUFK2I

@magicalOcean594 Thank you for your article and the links. It looks like you have an interesting way to connect with your reader. I see that you use a friendly tone when delivering your point and I really love that. Besides that, I love the examples that you're using here.

There are some things that may need a bit of improvisation, being careful in spelling and using punctuation precisely. I suggest that you could use sequence connectors in your article. It is a really helpful tool when it comes to writing :)

Overall you did a great job in this article. Keep going and we would love to see how would you improvise yourself in your upcoming article. All the best! Let us know if you need any assistance regarding the coursework :)

@magicalOcean594

Hello fellow Trainee! 🥰 I really like the topic you chose, it's extremely important that techniques like the ones you suggested and provided link to can be practiced among families during this time. Keeping the children involved in healthy proactive manners as you've mentioned is even more important, the children are our future 💙

My only feedback is a tip I actually got from our CDM iconographs: Utilize Grammarly before final submission :) It helps detect the tone for the audience as well as help reword or rearrange our sentences better. Overall you chose a very important and impressive topic, as well as did a fantastic job with the structure

Coping with Loneliness During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Feeling Less Lonely While Alone

The COVID-19 pandemic has been a daunting process to say the least for everyone around the globe. One of the most challenging adjustments for most have been dealing with quarantine mandates and being unable to gather and socialize as we once could. Coping with feelings of loneliness during this pandemic is completely valid during these adjustments. Popular YouTuber and best selling author Noah Elkrief once mentioned, "If being alone creates the feeling of loneliness, then you would feel forced to feel lonely in every single moment you are alone". Is that true? In some moments alone you are enjoying yourself whether you're drawing, listening to music, eating your favorite food or watching your favorite TV show. In some moments, you do not feel lonely when you are alone. That means being alone can't cause loneliness, it has to be something else. That "something else" is your thoughts. When distracted from your thoughts you feel fine, until a thought pops up and tell you if you had friends, a romantic partner etc. you wouldn't be lonely. This shows that loneliness is not caused by being alone, but by our thoughts.

Check out this video here, including more insight from Noah Elkrief! Here, Noah provides guidance on how to deal with loneliness and how to never feel lonely again; This will serve helpful especially during the pandemic 💙

This is a nice relatable article that would really help anyone going through loneliness but I think you should try to focus more on the topic as regarding the pandemic , but it is lovely

@SirenOfSerenity I really love how you elaborate by being alone doesn't mean someone is suffering from loneliness and explain how loneliness itself forms. and I really love how you asked your reader to think for a moment using the quote. It's really effective to peak our curiosity.

In my opinion, maybe you could focus more on the title and content which is on how to cope with loneliness.

Overall, you did a great job here. All the best for your article. Keep writing and keep going!

@SirenOfSerenity

Wow! I like this alot. Bringing in the influencer and their take on combating loneliness while also chiming in with empathy is clever. Well done!

@SirenOfSerenity

It's a very relatable article, thanks for sharing :)

@SoufullyAButterfly

REDUCING LONELINESS DURING THE PANDEMIC

Loneliness is an unpleasant emotional response to perceived isolation. Loneliness is also described as social pain—a psychological mechanism which motivates individuals to seek social connections.

It is a state of mind that can lead to depression which is why we have to try as much as possible to reduce it.

There are so many people we are surrounded by that are going through a state of loneliness which is why we have to try as much as possible to help the people around us….. empathy, compassion and understanding are some important things we have to demonstrate.

Statistically the rate of loneliness has been increased to the pandemic. https://www.ons.gov.uk,peoplepopulationandcommunity,wellbeing,bulletins,coronavirusandlonelinessgreatbritain,3aprilto3may2020

What can you do if you feel lonely during the pandemic?

Explore ways to spend time together : Many of us have withdrawn ourselves from our loved ones and family due to the pandemic whilst living in isolation but rather this is the perfect time to connect and bond with yourselves by doing the things you love and communicating with each other to reduce the anxiety that might come as a result of loneliness. You can also try to reach out to your friends and join a group chat to talk about anything that makes you happy.

Try to share your feelings – but do not compare : Being able to share your feelings and thoughts with others can help reduce loneliness and hearing a familiar voice, because you have to remember you're not alone. Sometimes social media tends not to help an individual at a particular situation depending on the content he/she views so try not to compare yourself to what you see out there.

Do more things you enjoy : We all have our various preferences, try to participate in what you love doing that makes you feel relaxed and reduces thinking. You can try journaling ,listening to podcasts, taking a walk or cycling, painting, drawing, binging your favourite shows, doing some chores , dancing and so many other things. But do what you love.

By learning something new and staying busy : This is a good time to do what you have always wanted to do but couldn't do, maybe due to time or stress. It may be learning a new language, cooking , learning a musical instrument , DIY's and so much more. Just do what you love and find comfort .

Volunteer to help others : We all have what we're passionate about…someone out there needs your help. You can use your skill or knowledge to help people . Try to get involved in as many activities as possible that you know can help people and vice versa but try not to overwork yourself.

Join an online community : Always remember you're not alone. If you're struggling with loneliness or any mental health issues you can join communities that are centered in helping people overcome situations that you feel unable to talk about

Communities like https://www.7cups.com,home,?cr=header

are free anonymous chat platforms that help you connect with like minded people and experts in the field of mental health who are ready to support and guide you through your journey

References

https://en.m.wikipedia.org,wiki,Loneliness

https://www.ons.gov.uk,peoplepopulationandcommunity,wellbeing,bulletins,coronavirusandlonelinessgreatbritain,3aprilto3may2020

https://www.nhs.uk,every-mind-matters,coronavirus,coping-with-loneliness-during-coronavirus,

@EmpathyShoulder1904

You did an amazing job! You structured everything very well and very informative, with proper links to your sources. Anyone who reads this is provided an abundance of ways to combat the feeling of loneliness and it feels like it is from an experts point of view 💙

Thank you ❤ 😊

This is really well structured with links to reliable sources and signposting back to 7 cups. Great work in my opinion.

I forgot to do the areas of improvement feedback before, sorry! I’m struggling to find a point to improve, but I’d avoid using the ellipsis and use a colon instead.

@EmpathyShoulder1904

Hi, I enjoyed your article and the well-thought-out tips to help someone cope. It was very personable and was written for anyone to use the information. Thank you for sharing.

@EmpathyShoulder1904 I love that you starts your article with telling people the definition of loneliness itself. You gave so many points and elaborations for each points which is really helpful for readers to understand and apply it in real life. And that's such a great way to promote and spread words to others about 7 cups community.

But please keep in mind to keep our article unique. Keeping it unique in our own way will let ourselves know how much understanding have we put into something. It's okay to search for it to get some ideas and how to put it into words.

Overall, this article has a lot of potential and we look forward for your upcoming article. I totally in love with how you write it down. Keep going and keep writing!

@EmpathyShoulder1904

Very detailed and informative article. Like how the article is properly structured and provides all the necessary information.

Like the way of writing as well.

@EmpathyShoulder1904

I loved how you incorporated 7 Cups as an online community to join. I liked the tone - hopeful and optimistic.

Coping with Loneliness During the COVID 19 Pandemic

The Covid 19 Pandemic has been a very stressful and emotional time for people all over the world. During the height of the pandemic in the summer of 2020 I found coping extremely difficult so I began to participate in online classes and support groups via Zoom. While I found it frustrating to always be on camera and had a difficult time adjusting to technology early on, the experience proved to be extremely rewarding. I have not only learned new skills by attending workshops covering topics such as leadership, teamwork, and advocacy, I have also been able to build my network globally. This has opened up many opportunities to collaborate and work on projects which will open any doors in my career.

@easyMaple3687

A very good job in sharing your personal experience highlighting methods for growth during those tough times. But I kind of feel like the paragraph did not touch the loneliness aspect of lockdown as much? So maybe a few more lines on that would make it better. But well done. Keep writing :)

@easyMaple3687 I can see that you're writing this article from your point of view and how you're coping with it. I really love that idea.

I suggest that you put more points and contents in your article as it would make it more interesting. And please include links and resources that you've referred to write this article.

Keep writing and keep going. I wish you all the best for your upcoming article :)

You’re not alone– 7cups is there for you

Covid has us locked in our houses. Many are away from their family and friends. How many of us miss those unforeseen and accidental encounters in cafes and parks. Lockdown accompanied by isolation of Covid infected or those suspected of infection has put a heavy toll on people's mental health, leading to the feeling of loneliness. Loneliness is a risk factor for many mental disorders like depression, anxiety, adjustment disorder, chronic stress, insomnia or even late-life dementia (Wilson et al., 2007). It is in such times that a conversation with someone can become life saviour.

However, we can feel lucky about the fact that we live in a digital age and albeit it doesn't come close to face-to-face interaction, but it can provide some solace to agitated and lonely people by connecting them to their family or others like them.

In this regard I’d like to highlight the features of 7 cups and the commendable work this platform has been doing for those who feel lonely or other issues stemming from this feeling. 7cups provide facility of one-on-one interaction with a trained listener, forums for a wide array of topics and issues, and group chats in case one needs community support. It also has the facility to connect one to an expert. There is a reason why it’s been called a “caring revolution”.

We are not alone in this. We need to remember that. We need to be there for one another.

References: {{Wilson, R. S., Krueger, K. R., Arnold, S. E., Schneider, J. A., Kelly, J. F., Barnes, L. L., . . .Bennett, D. A. (2007). Loneliness and risk of Alzheimer disease. Archives of General Psychiatry, 64(2), 234–240.}}

{{https://www.voicesofyouth.org/blog/7-cups-caring-revolution}}

@FerineMusings I love the way how you write your own article. It flows like fluid and mesmerizing. I really love your introduction here and how you promote 7 cups service in your article.

Maybe you could put more contents and points on how to cope with loneliness here and please keep in mind to keep our article unique and original.

All in all, I'm impressed by your article especially the way how it is written and delivered to readers. Looking forward for your next article. Keep going and keep writing!

@SoulfullyAButterfly

Introduction

Have you been feeling lonely since the start of the coronavirus pandemic? You’re certainly not alone if you answered “yes.”

According to the a charity based in the United Kingdom, Campaign to End Loneliness, the current COVID-19 pandemic has caused an increase in the amount of people experiencing chronic loneliness. And this isn’t an isolated finding, with the American Psychological Association claiming that during the pandemic there has been a global increase in levels of loneliness.

With an abundance of medical evidence demonstrating that loneliness has serious consequences for our health, it is no surprise that people are searching for ways to combat their own loneliness and support others struggling with the same issue. Keep reading to find out what experts recommend and where you can seek support if you are one of the millions of people struggling with feelings of loneliness and isolation.

Sources:

https://health.clevelandclinic.org/what-happens-in-your-body-when-youre-lonely/

https://www.insider.com/effects-loneliness-health-2018-6

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0889159102000739

@YellowButton223

Love that you cited multiple sources for your paragraph, and linked to a couple as well. It's a very strong and positive message!

@YellowButton223

Hello! I see that you made an interesting and strong introduction using the resources that you've found.

however, It looks like you're not the topic and content which were given to you which is how to cope with loneliness during pandemic- our main focus for this article. You could elaborate more about your contents using the resources that you've found.

All the best for your upcoming article! Keep going and keep writing!

Coping with Loneliness During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The Trajectory of Loneliness

During the coronavirus pandemic, a study was conducted by a group of psychologists and published in the American Psychologist. This study aimed to track the trajectory of loneliness, and hypothesized the concern that loneliness would increase during lockdown periods. However, according to the study’s findings:

“Contrary to expectations, there were no significant mean-level changes in loneliness across the three assessments (d = .04, p > .05). In fact, respondents perceived increased support from others over the follow-up period (d = .19, p < .01). Older adults reported less loneliness overall compared to younger age groups but had an increase in loneliness during the acute phase of the outbreak (d = .14, p < .05). Their loneliness, however, leveled off after the issuance of stay-at-home orders.” (Luchetti, M., Lee, J. H., Aschwanden, D., Sesker, A., Strickhouser, J. E., Terracciano, A., & Sutin, A. R. (2020). The trajectory of loneliness in response to COVID-19. American Psychologist, 75(7), 897.)

It was seen through this study that the average scale of loneliness went down over time as they received support from others during lockdown, despite some detrimental impacts on vulnerable individuals. Even with social distancing requirements being implemented, there was a sense of togetherness involved that aided in combating the general feelings of loneliness that most participants experienced.