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Bipartisan group of Georgia lawmakers pushes back on proposed federal 10-year ban on state AI limits
Bipartisan group of Georgia lawmakers pushes back on proposed federal 10-year ban on state AI limits

Yahoo

time06-06-2025

  • Politics
  • Yahoo

Bipartisan group of Georgia lawmakers pushes back on proposed federal 10-year ban on state AI limits

Six Georgia lawmakers joined more than 250 of their colleagues nationwide to ask Congress not to hamper their ability to regulate artificial intelligence. Midjourney/AI-generated art A bipartisan group of state lawmakers, including six from Georgia, is calling on Congress to cut a provision out of the massive federal spending bill that freezes state regulations on artificial intelligence for 10 years. 'As state lawmakers and policymakers, we regularly hear from constituents about the rise of online harms and the impacts of AI on our communities,' the lawmakers wrote. 'In an increasingly fraught digital environment, young people are facing new threats online, seniors are targeted by the emergence of AI-generated scams, and workers and creators face new challenges in an AI-integrated economy. Over the next decade, AI will raise some of the most important public policy questions of our time, and it is critical that state policymakers maintain the ability to respond.' The Georgia signers were Sen. John Albers of Roswell and Reps. Todd Jones of South Forsyth and Gary Richardson of Evans, who are all Republicans, as well as Democratic Reps. Scott Holcomb and Tanya Miller of Atlanta and Sam Park of Lawrenceville. In all, 261 legislators from all 50 states signed the letter. Georgia lawmakers from both chambers met over the summer last year to discuss potential AI regulations. Albers, who chairs the Senate AI study committee, often stressed that he did not wish to overregulate, saying that he saw lawmakers' duty as balancing protections for Georgians with creating a friendly environment for businesses. During this year's legislative session, no major AI bills passed into law, including broadly popular provisions like increasing penalties for using AI to create child pornography or deceptive 'deep fake' campaign advertisements. An Albers bill intended to create a new state advisory board on artificial intelligence and to require local governments to report on their use of the technology died in the Senate Economic Development and Tourism Committee on the advice of Suwanee GOP Congressman Rich McCormick. Then-committee chair Brandon Beach, who now serves as U.S. Treasurer, said at the time that McCormick told him not to take any action on AI because Congress would take care of it. Senators created a new committee this year to examine artificial intelligence and digital currency, but members have not yet been appointed and no hearing dates have been set. The GOP's megabill, which has become the cornerstone of President Donald Trump's domestic agenda, passed the House by a single vote and is now in the hands of the Senate. Getting the legislation through the House was a challenge the first time, with factions within the Republican Party at odds over the size of cuts to federal programs and the expected increase in the deficit. The new focus of the AI provision could prove to be another sticking point. Members of the House including Rome Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene have indicated they were not aware of the regulation ban when they voted for the bill and will not support it when it comes back to the House unless the rule is removed. 'I voted for President Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill because it delivers his MAGA campaign promises and he endorses the bill and wants Congress to pass it in order to fund his MAGA agenda,' Greene said on social media. 'Do I love the price tag? NO. But I want OUR policies funded. I campaigned across the country for YEARS with Trump, more than any member of Congress, and the man NEVER said he would destroy state rights for 10 years to let AI tech companies run rampant!!! TAKE IT OUT OR I'M VOTING NO WHEN IT COMES BACK TO THE HOUSE!!!!!' SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE

Can Online Community Be Just as Beneficial as IRL Connections? A Psychologist Weighs In
Can Online Community Be Just as Beneficial as IRL Connections? A Psychologist Weighs In

Yahoo

time06-06-2025

  • Lifestyle
  • Yahoo

Can Online Community Be Just as Beneficial as IRL Connections? A Psychologist Weighs In

Social media can be a great tool to have at your disposal. From keeping up with your cousins and their kids who live on the other side of the country to using it to network after randomly meeting someone in your industry at a concert, "following" people can be a convenient way to stay in was especially true in the days of the pandemic, when social distancing kept us from being able to get together with loved ones in real life (IRL). And while many people have returned to making plans and being face-to-face with their friends and family in the years that have followed 2020, others have found themselves more rooted than ever to their online someone has found a crew of likeminded individuals in a fan club or dedicated Facebook group, has only worked remote since entering the workforce, or feels more comfortable and less anxious commenting on feeds vs. spending time in public spaces, there are many reasons social media is appealing for socialization. But is it a healthy way to form and grow relationships?Cleveland Clinic psychologist answers this question and more. She shares the pros and cons of online community with Parade and reveals if this medium can be just as beneficial as IRL connection. Plus, she explains what we miss out on if most (or all) of our socialization is done behind a "Social media is like the drive-thru window of connection," Dr. Albers tells Parade. "It is fast, it is easy, it is always available, and it seems to feed us, but it doesn't truly nourish us. It leaves us hungry for more. As our traditional areas of connection, like churches, family dinners, meeting places [and] neighborhoods start to shrink, people are looking for other ways to connect. People want to reach out and connect with others around them and social media helps to fill that void." Plus, when we're busy with work and/or raising kids, it can be difficult to find times that work for friends and family to get together in real life. And, meanwhile, we're still craving connection."According to Maslow's theory of our hierarchy of needs, after we fulfill our survival needs—our basic needs for food, shelter, water—our very next step is to search for belonging and it shows how we are hardwired to seek connection around us for survival," Dr. Albers explains. "Social media creates a pseudo environment of connection. It gives us these micro bursts of connection with follows, likes and comments. We can be very drawn to this kind of community because it's so in-instantaneous. It takes us to a place where we are able to connect with other people immediately."Related: The short answer? "It depends on the intent of the way you use social media," Dr. Albers explains. "Studies have shown that it can decrease loneliness when you're using social media for its intended purpose—to follow other individuals in your life [and] to stay up to date," she continues. It can definitely be helpful when you aren't able to see friends and family regularly, for whatever reason—distance, busyness, etc. "For many people, it is a lifeline, particularly those who have difficulty connecting in person," Dr. Albers says. "For those who struggle with social anxiety, are geographically isolated [or] have a disability, this provides an avenue to connect." Social media, in particular, also gives users a chance to expand their knowledge and learn from others simply by scrolling."Many of my clients tell me stories about the information they get online that is life-changing or brings them a sense of joy," she continues. "It might be a mental health tip, a comment [or] something that shifts their way of thinking, and it's a game-changer."Another powerful aspect of online communities is "the specificity" they provide, Dr. Albers says, explaining, "We can find our tribe at two in the morning—whether you are a new parent, a grieving spouse, looking for information about French cinema, whatever it may be. We find a community that is much different than who we would stumble upon in our neighborhood. We can find like-minded people that help us to feel known [and] seen, and share a common interest."That being said, it's not all rainbows and While there are benefits of online community, it's not without its downsides as well. "It can make you feel known when you truly have no connection at all," Dr. Albers warns. "You can spend hours chatting with someone online and still not know anything about the other person. It's very easy to put on a mask and meet another person who has a mask and those two interact with each other and do not truly get to know each other which creates this false sense of closeness." Related: "In other words, the algorithm gets to know you, it knows what you think [and] what you like, and it starts feeding you information," Dr. Albers explains. "This is not similar to what we encounter in daily life. We talk with people who have other opinions [and] other ideas, [which] sparks creativity and inspiration. And when you are stuck in that vacuum chamber, you start to think the same thoughts over and over again." "Online, you miss that in-person communication—the change of tone, the warm smile, the nod, the empathetic touch," Dr. Albers says. "These are all critical for the release of oxytocin. Oxytocin is the hormone that makes us feel connected with other people in our lives. This cannot be replicated on screen."Related: "According to studies, those who spend a significant amount of time online—above two hours each and every day—are at risk for anxiety and depression," Dr. Albers reveals. "When you spend a great deal of time online and that connection turns into competition or comparison, this is a significant trigger for mental health issues." "When you're on social media for extended periods of time, you see the highlight reel of someone's life—it is the best 5% of their daily life, vacations, parties, filtered faces," Dr. Albers says. "This sets a bar for comparison. And that bar is not only unrealistic, it can become dangerous when you start to feel like you are missing out or there's something wrong with your life when there isn't."She explains that this is an example of "social comparison theory.""We get to know ourselves through our connections with other people," she continues. "And when we look online for that comparison, it can skew our perceptions of ourselves. We may know that this is a curated image, but our brain doesn't always make the distinction. It starts to ask those questions of 'Why am I not as happy? Why am I not having as much fun as someone else?' And this can chip away at your self-esteem over time."Related: "Social media can impact your brain in a negative way," Dr. Albers warns. "It is designed and wired to hook you in. It releases dopamine as you scroll. Unfortunately, it's inconsistent. So it knows how to keep you hooked in and continue scrolling. Even when you need to go to bed and get some sleep, you continue to scroll. This is because it works on dopamine and the reward system."Long-term, this doesn't lead to greater happiness. Instead, it's the opposite."When you are scrolling, you hope for that dopamine to keep going," she continues. "Unfortunately, it can turn over, and your brain can become overstimulated, dull and start to tune out, and the joy and excitement that you get from social media turns over to feeling lonely and disconnected." Unfortunately, this can sometimes be the case. "Scrolling can sometimes be more lonely than silence," Dr. Albers reveals. "Imagine a teen who logs on to social media, they see an image of their friends all eating lunch together and they have eaten alone. Instantly, even though it is only this one time, begins to cement this reality into their brain of 'Am I not good enough? Why do I not get to sit with them?' And it starts to change your mindset and how you see yourself. So for some teens, it is not just about feeling left out, it can be dangerous in the way it changes your perception of yourself."Related: "Online communities do not give us the essential non-verbals that we need to understand and to connect with other individuals," Dr. Albers reiterates. "The change of tone, the nod, the warm glances. We cannot replicate that online."But not only that—we also may have a harder time with reconciliation."In person, when we have conflict or friction, we work it out," she explains. "We can reach across the table and say, 'What's wrong? Let's talk.' Online, you can simply ghost. Disappear. You don't have to work out anything, which leaves us feeling with this profound sense of confusion and loneliness in each way at our self-esteem. The in-person opportunity gives us a chance to understand how we interact with others, to understand our dynamics and to figure out ways to connect—even when there is friction." Up Next:Susan Albers, PsyD, is a Psychologist at the Women's Health Center at the Wooster branch of Cleveland Clinic. She graduated from the College of Wooster and obtained her doctorate at the University of Denver. Can Online Community Be Just as Beneficial as IRL Connections? A Psychologist Weighs In first appeared on Parade on May 26, 2025

Nasdaq Launches Exclusive Access to Nasdaq Private Market's Tape D® API to Deliver Advanced Visibility into Private Markets
Nasdaq Launches Exclusive Access to Nasdaq Private Market's Tape D® API to Deliver Advanced Visibility into Private Markets

Associated Press

time04-06-2025

  • Business
  • Associated Press

Nasdaq Launches Exclusive Access to Nasdaq Private Market's Tape D® API to Deliver Advanced Visibility into Private Markets

NEW YORK, June 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nasdaq® (Nasdaq: NDAQ) announced today that the company has partnered with Nasdaq Private Market (NPM), a leading provider of secondary liquidity solutions to private companies, employees, and investors, to provide greater price transparency and valuation visibility into private, pre-IPO companies, including unicorns and other startups through NPM's Tape D® private company dataset. As the exclusive distributor of the Tape D API, Nasdaq is enhancing essential transparency and access to an increasingly complex private company landscape. Now available to Nasdaq clients through API integration via Nasdaq Data Link, Tape D addresses critical transparency challenges by helping investors evaluate private holdings with greater confidence, enabling banks to structure private transactions more effectively, supporting wealth advisors and shareholders in managing liquidity needs, and equipping private companies with valuable insights for capital raises and tender offers. This comprehensive data product delivers real-time private market pricing by seamlessly integrating primary round data, secondary market transactions, and accounting data including mutual fund marks and 409A valuations. 'Nasdaq was founded on the principle of leveraging technology to make markets more efficient, and we are committed to driving the same transformation in private markets that we've achieved in public markets,' said Oliver Albers, Executive Vice President, Chief Product Officer, Capital Access Platforms at Nasdaq. 'The collaboration with Nasdaq Private Market builds upon this foundation, reflecting Nasdaq's continued commitment to creating an ecosystem where transparency, accessibility, and improved outcomes naturally extend across the entire investment lifecycle,' noted Albers. 'The private market is now a critical arena for valuation, investment, and planning, and requires accurate, real-time data. With over 1,200 unicorns and billions in equity held by private shareholders, the need for a reliable valuation benchmark is greater than ever. Tape D brings essential clarity to private markets, and we are excited to partner with Nasdaq to broaden access to market participants,' said Marc Perkins, CFA, Senior Vice President of Product at Nasdaq Private Market. In addition to the Tape D API from Nasdaq, NPM offers individual subscriptions directly via NPM's website. The launch of this data partnership with Nasdaq Private Market marks the latest step in Nasdaq's commitment to enhancing transparency, access, and portfolio management capabilities across the public-to-private investment spectrum. This includes offerings such as Nasdaq Fund Secondaries, which bring greater efficiency, transparency, and scalability to secondary transactions. Nasdaq also delivers solutions designed to equip asset owners and asset allocators with essential research and portfolio management tools that span both public and private markets. These enhancements address specific market challenges, helping managers clearly articulate their value propositions to gather assets while giving allocators the visibility they need for confident decision making. For more information about accessing the Nasdaq Private Market Tape D Data API, please visit: About Nasdaq Nasdaq (Nasdaq: NDAQ) is a leading global technology company serving corporate clients, investment managers, banks, brokers, and exchange operators as they navigate and interact with the global capital markets and the broader financial system. We aspire to deliver world-leading platforms that improve the liquidity, transparency, and integrity of the global economy. Our diverse offering of data, analytics, software, exchange capabilities, and client-centric services enables clients to optimize and execute their business vision with confidence. To learn more about the company, technology solutions, and career opportunities, visit us on LinkedIn, on X @Nasdaq, or at Nasdaq® is a registered trademarks of Nasdaq, Inc. The information contained above is provided for informational and educational purposes only, and nothing contained herein should be construed as investment advice, either on behalf of a particular security or an overall investment strategy. Neither Nasdaq, Inc. nor any of its affiliates makes any recommendation to buy or sell any security or any representation about the financial condition of any company. Statements regarding Nasdaq-listed companies or Nasdaq proprietary indexes are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investors should undertake their own due diligence and carefully evaluate companies before investing. ADVICE FROM A SECURITIES PROFESSIONAL IS STRONGLY ADVISED. © 2025. Nasdaq, Inc. All Rights Reserved. About Nasdaq Private Market Nasdaq Private Market provides liquidity, wealth and data solutions for private companies, employees, and investors throughout each stage of the pre-IPO lifecycle. Since inception over a decade ago, NPM has executed nearly $60 billion in transactional volume for 200,000+ individual eligible employee shareholders and investors across 775+ company-sponsored liquidity programs. Founded within Nasdaq, Inc. in 2013, today NPM is an independent company with strategic investments from Nasdaq, Allen & Company, Bank of America, BNP Paribas, Citi, DRW Venture Capital, Goldman Sachs, HiJoJo Partners, Morgan Stanley, UBS, and Wells Fargo. Learn more at Visit LinkedIn and X for the latest company news. Disclosures and Disclaimers NPM is not: (a) a registered exchange under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; (b) a registered investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940; or (c) a financial or tax planner and does not offer legal or financial advice to any user of the NPM website or its services. Securities-related services are offered through NPM Securities, LLC, a registered broker-dealer and alternative trading system, and member FINRA/SIPC. Transactions in securities conducted through NPM Securities, LLC are not listed or traded on The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC, nor are the securities subject to the same listing or qualification standards applicable to securities listed or traded on The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC. Please read these other important disclosures and disclaimers about NPM found here: Contact: Max Leitenberger Corporate Communications, Nasdaq [email protected] Amanda Gold Chief of Staff and Chief People Officer, Nasdaq Private Market [email protected]

Nasdaq Launches Exclusive Access to Nasdaq Private Market's Tape D® API to Deliver Advanced Visibility into Private Markets
Nasdaq Launches Exclusive Access to Nasdaq Private Market's Tape D® API to Deliver Advanced Visibility into Private Markets

Yahoo

time04-06-2025

  • Business
  • Yahoo

Nasdaq Launches Exclusive Access to Nasdaq Private Market's Tape D® API to Deliver Advanced Visibility into Private Markets

Real-Time Private Company Dataset Offers Critical Pricing and Valuation Insights for Private Companies, Investors, and Advisors NEW YORK, June 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nasdaq® (Nasdaq: NDAQ) announced today that the company has partnered with Nasdaq Private Market (NPM), a leading provider of secondary liquidity solutions to private companies, employees, and investors, to provide greater price transparency and valuation visibility into private, pre-IPO companies, including unicorns and other startups through NPM's Tape D® private company dataset. As the exclusive distributor of the Tape D API, Nasdaq is enhancing essential transparency and access to an increasingly complex private company landscape. Now available to Nasdaq clients through API integration via Nasdaq Data Link, Tape D addresses critical transparency challenges by helping investors evaluate private holdings with greater confidence, enabling banks to structure private transactions more effectively, supporting wealth advisors and shareholders in managing liquidity needs, and equipping private companies with valuable insights for capital raises and tender offers. This comprehensive data product delivers real-time private market pricing by seamlessly integrating primary round data, secondary market transactions, and accounting data including mutual fund marks and 409A valuations. "Nasdaq was founded on the principle of leveraging technology to make markets more efficient, and we are committed to driving the same transformation in private markets that we've achieved in public markets," said Oliver Albers, Executive Vice President, Chief Product Officer, Capital Access Platforms at Nasdaq. "The collaboration with Nasdaq Private Market builds upon this foundation, reflecting Nasdaq's continued commitment to creating an ecosystem where transparency, accessibility, and improved outcomes naturally extend across the entire investment lifecycle,' noted Albers. "The private market is now a critical arena for valuation, investment, and planning, and requires accurate, real-time data. With over 1,200 unicorns and billions in equity held by private shareholders, the need for a reliable valuation benchmark is greater than ever. Tape D brings essential clarity to private markets, and we are excited to partner with Nasdaq to broaden access to market participants," said Marc Perkins, CFA, Senior Vice President of Product at Nasdaq Private Market. In addition to the Tape D API from Nasdaq, NPM offers individual subscriptions directly via NPM's website. The launch of this data partnership with Nasdaq Private Market marks the latest step in Nasdaq's commitment to enhancing transparency, access, and portfolio management capabilities across the public-to-private investment spectrum. This includes offerings such as Nasdaq Fund Secondaries, which bring greater efficiency, transparency, and scalability to secondary transactions. Nasdaq also delivers solutions designed to equip asset owners and asset allocators with essential research and portfolio management tools that span both public and private markets. These enhancements address specific market challenges, helping managers clearly articulate their value propositions to gather assets while giving allocators the visibility they need for confident decision making. For more information about accessing the Nasdaq Private Market Tape D Data API, please visit: About Nasdaq Nasdaq (Nasdaq: NDAQ) is a leading global technology company serving corporate clients, investment managers, banks, brokers, and exchange operators as they navigate and interact with the global capital markets and the broader financial system. We aspire to deliver world-leading platforms that improve the liquidity, transparency, and integrity of the global economy. Our diverse offering of data, analytics, software, exchange capabilities, and client-centric services enables clients to optimize and execute their business vision with confidence. To learn more about the company, technology solutions, and career opportunities, visit us on LinkedIn, on X @Nasdaq, or at Nasdaq® is a registered trademarks of Nasdaq, Inc. The information contained above is provided for informational and educational purposes only, and nothing contained herein should be construed as investment advice, either on behalf of a particular security or an overall investment strategy. Neither Nasdaq, Inc. nor any of its affiliates makes any recommendation to buy or sell any security or any representation about the financial condition of any company. Statements regarding Nasdaq-listed companies or Nasdaq proprietary indexes are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investors should undertake their own due diligence and carefully evaluate companies before investing. ADVICE FROM A SECURITIES PROFESSIONAL IS STRONGLY ADVISED. © 2025. Nasdaq, Inc. All Rights Reserved. About Nasdaq Private MarketNasdaq Private Market provides liquidity, wealth and data solutions for private companies, employees, and investors throughout each stage of the pre-IPO lifecycle. Since inception over a decade ago, NPM has executed nearly $60 billion in transactional volume for 200,000+ individual eligible employee shareholders and investors across 775+ company-sponsored liquidity programs. Founded within Nasdaq, Inc. in 2013, today NPM is an independent company with strategic investments from Nasdaq, Allen & Company, Bank of America, BNP Paribas, Citi, DRW Venture Capital, Goldman Sachs, HiJoJo Partners, Morgan Stanley, UBS, and Wells Fargo. Learn more at Visit LinkedIn and X for the latest company news. Disclosures and Disclaimers NPM is not: (a) a registered exchange under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; (b) a registered investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940; or (c) a financial or tax planner and does not offer legal or financial advice to any user of the NPM website or its services. Securities-related services are offered through NPM Securities, LLC, a registered broker-dealer and alternative trading system, and member FINRA/SIPC. Transactions in securities conducted through NPM Securities, LLC are not listed or traded on The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC, nor are the securities subject to the same listing or qualification standards applicable to securities listed or traded on The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC. Please read these other important disclosures and disclaimers about NPM found here: Contact: Max LeitenbergerCorporate Communications, Nasdaq Amanda GoldChief of Staff and Chief People Officer, Nasdaq Private in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data

'I'm a Psychologist—These Are the 5 Surprising Things I Swear By To Combat Loneliness'
'I'm a Psychologist—These Are the 5 Surprising Things I Swear By To Combat Loneliness'

Yahoo

time12-05-2025

  • Health
  • Yahoo

'I'm a Psychologist—These Are the 5 Surprising Things I Swear By To Combat Loneliness'

Although it seems like we're connected more than ever these days—texting, social media and email make it easy to get in touch with each other in seconds—those "connections" don't always address a larger concern: when we're in a physical group setting, or engaging in multiple Slack channels at work, we can feel lonely, craving closer relationships with and deeper ties to those around us. After all, loneliness does not just impact individuals who are more private or reserved (though it may be more obvious in a solitary person who does not regularly interact with others).But if you've been feeling isolated or alone—regardless of your social life—there's Clinic psychologist tells Parade, "There are many ways to address loneliness, ways of coping with it. Some are easy and some take a little bit more time."However, she wants to address a common misconception."Dealing with loneliness isn't just about filling up your social calendar, saying yes to every party or interaction," she explains. "It goes a little bit deeper than that."Fortunately, Dr. Albers is here to share the tactics that she swears by to combat loneliness in her own life. She first reveals the #1 red flag to look out for, and then suggests five game-changing tactics that we can all adopt as everyday habits to kick these feelings of isolation to the "The number one red flag for loneliness is the thoughts that you're saying to yourself," Dr. Albers warns. "If you notice that your thoughts are turning from 'I really want to connect to someone,' to 'I'm not sure,' pulling away, withdrawing, 'I feel like a burden,' 'No one wants to hang out with me,' this is a significant red flag that you are feeling lonely."Loneliness can often creep up on you and before you know it, you feel overwhelmed by its intensity."Our brains, when alone for long periods of time, look at the world as feeling unsafe—we no longer see those around us as wanting to connect with us," she explains. "When my clients say to me, 'I feel alone,' or 'I feel lonely,' I urge them to act immediately. Do not wait. That is sending you a message to pay attention. Don't ignore it and address it right away."Related: "First we have to acknowledge when we're feeling lonely, naming it, saying, 'I'm feeling lonely,'" Dr. Albers explains. "This is the first step in being able to address it. Many of us feel shame or reluctant to say, 'I feel alone.' And putting a name to it, helps us to take steps to addressing it."She uses an acronym to help with this process."I use the acronym AIM," she tells Parade. "Acknowledging when you feel lonely. I is identifying where is this loneliness coming from? Is it internal? Is it due to my environment? What's going on that is causing this loneliness? And M is to make a plan. And that plan may be to get active, connect with someone, it may even be spending some time alone in a hobby, whatever it may be. Dealing with loneliness is not just about spending time with people. It's important to be with people, not just around them. So this may be signing up for a pottery class, volunteering, doing a book swap—creating experiences where you coexist, where you interact with each other."But she wants to stress one point, in particular: "It's not just the quantity of interactions, it is the quality." "Rewrite your inner script about feeling lonely," Dr. Albers recommends. "There can be some positives about being alone. You don't have to worry about anyone else. You can spend your time any way you want, and rewriting the internal belief about what it means. It may not mean that you are rejected or no one wants to be with you. You may choose to spend some time alone and that is okay."But one of her favorite ways of doing this is with at least one other person, and incorporating an activity where you can move your body."Spending time with other people and pairing this with exercise can be a double bonus," she explains. "This activity can release the feel-good neurotransmitters in your brain of pairing connection with activity and movement."Related: "When I'm lonely, I engage in what is called 'micro connections,'" Dr. Albers tells Parade. "This is getting out of the house and connecting with people whether it's the barista at the coffee shop or talking to my neighbor. Finding little ways to connect and walking in the spaces in the world where people are—going to the grocery store, being around people. This can help that sense of loneliness, even if I never talked to anyone, just being with people helps me to feel part of the world." "I also find ways to regulate my nervous system," Dr. Albers reveals. "It's not just about changing your external world, it's about changing your internal world, finding ways to calm down. For me, this is going outside, getting some fresh air, some sunshine—some vitamin D helps to brighten up my day and make me feel more connected to myself."And it's not just about what she's adding to her plate, but what she's taking away as well."Doing a digital detox can be a game-changer for me," she continues. "Stepping away from social media clears my head. It lets me turn inward to feel more creative and to focus on what brings me joy—a hobby, other things that are going on turns off that part of my brain that is looking outward and I can shine that light inward."Related: "Studies have shown that volunteering is one of the most effective ways to reduce your loneliness," Dr. Albers shares. "When we reach out to other people, it helps to build our empathy. It releases those feel-good neurotransmitters in our brain and helping other people helps to build our self-esteem. So if you're feeling lonely, get out of your house, volunteer at the local animal shelter, at your school, at your church, anywhere where you can make a difference—you are going to notice a win-win." Unfortunately, you can't just do one of the five things once and call it good. As Dr. Albers explains, "It's important to implement these habits regularly and often. This is not just a one-time deal to cure your loneliness. Repetition of these habits helps to build your resilience for the times that you feel lonely, the unexpected times." And the more you do them, the easier they'll be to have at your disposal. "There are times out of the blue that you are going to feel lonely, and having these in place helps you to feel comforted, calm and soothed," she shares. Up Next:Susan Albers, PsyD, is a Psychologist at the Women's Health Center at the Wooster branch of Cleveland Clinic. She graduated from the College of Wooster and obtained her doctorate at the University of Denver.

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