A Dutch supermarket chain introduced slow checkouts for people who enjoy chatting, helping many people, especially the elderly, deal with #loneliness.
The move has proven so successful that they installed the slow checkouts in 200 stores...
Are you #alone on Christmas? Do you feel #lonely and need some people to #chat? Subscribe to the hashtag # JoinIn (I made a space to avoid spamming it).
It is for connecting people who want to chat with anybody or want to share something these days. Often you find people with an open ear but also people who need some consolation or just distraction.
Excellent article on loneliness, not just on the support and social aspect, but the problems with not feeling you have any control.
“Loneliness has always been explained as a deficit in the satisfaction of one’s communion or relational needs,” Ybarra says. “But in addition to communion needs, individuals also need agency, personal control and choice, and not meeting this need should also affect experienced loneliness.”
☝️ related to this article, I have been having a lot of side chats with folks re loneliness and with an aim to help people connect as well as create a sense of agency, I wondered about it now exists! [@lonelinesscorps ] group where people could reach out when they are lonely and chat (peer support), but also share resources and ideas for more local or niche specific projects (agency), start building the infrastructure to ameliorate the isolation. #loneliness
I have some asks re logistics...
can someone explain mastondon groups to me? How are they are set up, do they need to be monitored? I see some really effective ones going, but also some that don't take off.
Does anybody want to take this ball and run with it? I don't have the chuff to lead on this one, but can hopefully help connect the right pieces and generally uplift this.
Also, pls comment with any groups or tags any of you are finding useful when yer lonely, let's start by sharing some resources! #loneliness
@lonelinesscorps ]
we'll use this as a vehicle to help people connect both when they are feeling lonely (peer support) and as a place to share resources and projects for community building online or irl.
Plus need ~12 trunkies to help enliven the group and get the conversations rolling. Ping me if ya wanna help (especially if yer lonely). #loneliness#lonelinessCorps#mentalHealth
Facing the tranquil morning, much like Sunrise, I'm reminded of the hope that comes with each new day. As the sun paints the sky with its gentle hues, I'm painting my aspirations for a brighter tomorrow. 🌅✨
While I sit here alone, I dream of a community where we're all united, standing by each other's side through thick and thin. Just as the sun's rays touch everything in its embrace, I want our bonds to spread warmth and support.
Lately, my health has been a battle – enduring cough, fever, dizziness, and the weight of three long years of mental stress. But this sunrise serves as a reminder that even the darkest nights eventually give way to the dawn.
With this post, I'm not just sharing a picture; I'm extending an invitation. An invitation to join me on my journey to build a space where goodness prevails, where we offer solace in times of need, and where we collectively strive for better days.
In Japan, where loneliness is such an acute problem that in 2021 the government appointed its first “minister of loneliness,” a nursing home director came up with an idea to bring cheer to her residents: Enter the toddlers. NBC News reports: https://flip.it/hFLoY9 #News#WorldNews#Japan#Asia#Loneliness#MentalHealth
I run physical events in #Toronto. To create a low barrier (ie, cheap or free) event, I have to do free labour. The hardest part is finding space to meet. Even some condo party rooms have gone up to $100/hr, with a $200 deposit.
We need to talk about housing AND living. Where can you have a friendly conversation in the winter without spending money?
The city does not create accessible spaces for community building. This has a human cost.
I am a Pebble (2020) [7 min] by Mélanie Berteraut Platon, Yasmine Bresson, Léo Coulombier, Nicolas Grondin, Maxime Le Chapelain and Louise Massé | #France
Lacking social connection increases risk of premature death by more than 60%.
“Social connection is beneficial for individual health and also improves the resilience of our communities. Evidence shows that increased connection can help reduce the risk of serious health conditions such as heart disease, stroke, dementia, and depression.”
"A new study finds that oxytocin, the 'cuddle hormone,' can reduce acute feelings of loneliness and enhance bonding in group therapy settings for individuals experiencing chronic loneliness.
While not a cure-all, oxytocin shows promise as a supportive tool during therapy, potentially helping patients better navigate the initial challenges of addressing their loneliness."