Madeline Background on Volunteering and Loneliness We have long known that volunteering is an antidote to loneliness. Recent scientific studies are refining our understanding in order to maximize the utility of volunteering. They are exploring the who (children, parents, spouse, grandparents) what (caregiving vs. charity), where (high or low infrastructure), how … Read more
Making New Friends While Socially Distancing and a Project for Confined Children Anecdotes (stories) are the weakest form of scientific evidence. However, scientific evidence has established the value of storytelling on the molecular level in the brain. Stories can increase oxytocin, otherwise known as the “cuddle” hormone. https://www.livescience.com/42198-what-is-oxytocin.html. Oxytocin signals … Read more
Introduction Social Workers Use Many Creative and Resourceful Techniques to Combat Loneliness. These including daily reassurance calls; dance, yoga, art, and letter writing. Scientific literature is beginning to be published on the effectiveness of 19 techniques employed by social workers to alleviate loneliness that I list below. Many of the … Read more