Michael speaks to Dr Michelle Lim, Loneliness researcher, Swinburne University, Scientific Chair Ending Loneliness Together, who has led a global study that reveals knowing just six neighbours reduces the likelihood of feeling alone and is directly linked to reducing stresses incurred by the coronavirus pandemic.

The report is the first study that has quantified loneliness across three countries – Australia, the United States and England by examining the impact of a four-week kindness initiative by social media platform Nextdoor, where participants were encouraged to conduct small acts of kindness in their local communities.

Dr Lim conducted the study through a randomised control trial in conjunction with Brigham Young University in the US, and the University of Manchester in England where the indicated small acts of kindness between neighbours have a positive effect on perceptions of connectedness.

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