The Ultimate Guide to Social Distancing Without Losing Touch
“Social distancing doesn’t have to mean social isolation.”
A Quick Overview
COVID-19 has undoubtedly turned our world upside down. It has changed the way we live our lives in many ways. One of the biggest such changes has been the need for social distancing, which has made it difficult for many of us to stay connected with our loved ones, especially for people working away from home. However, even though we may not be able to physically be with our friends and family members, there are still plenty of ways to stay connected and maintain strong relationships during these challenging times. Now that COVID cases are rising again in the country, there is a huge chance that social distancing norms may once again be put in place.
So, how can we keep connected and avoid feeling lonely and isolated? Here are some tips that can help:
1. Technology to the rescue:
Thanks to modern technology, it is now easier than ever to stay in touch with loved ones even when we can’t physically be together. Many apps and platforms allow you to video chat, voice call, text, or send photos and videos to your friends and family.
You can also use social media to share updates, memes, or jokes that can brighten up your day and theirs. Platforms like WhatsApp, Zoom, Google Meet, and FaceTime are all great ways to connect face-to-face with friends and family members (Texting or calling is great, but nothing beats the joy of seeing your close one’s faces and hearing their voices). You can make it even more fun by having virtual movie nights or game nights…or you can just simply catch up over a cup of coffee.
2. Send thoughtful messages and gifts:
Even if you can’t be there in person, you can still let your loved ones know that you’re thinking of them by sending thoughtful messages or gifts. Whether it’s a simple chat message, a care package, or a surprise delivery of their favorite food through Swiggy or Zomato, these gestures can go a long way towards maintaining strong relationships during social distancing. (Someone please send me food…)
3. Plan virtual activities:
Just because you can’t physically be together doesn’t mean you can’t do fun things together. Online multiplayer games such as Animal Crossing, Ludo, and Among Us have been really popular during the lockdown. For hardcore gamers, games like Fortnite and Valorant have also been a primary way of keeping up and enjoying with friends. This was personally how I spent most of the time with my friends and siblings during the lockdown.
Apart from games, try organizing virtual activities like book clubs, movie nights, or even workout classes. There are plenty of online resources that can help you plan and execute these activities. For example, watching movies and series together are rather easy because Netflix and Amazon Prime Video provide a handy “watch together” functionality in their apps. For media that are not on these platforms, there are third-party websites like Watch2Gether which allows you to watch YouTube videos, anime, dramas or even movies and tv shows together.
4. Hey how are you doing?:
Even if you can’t spend as much time with your loved ones as you’d like, it’s important to make time for regular check ins. Whether it’s a weekly phone call, a daily text message, or a quick video chat, these check ins can help you stay connected and maintain strong relationships even when you’re apart.
5. Focus on quality over quantity:
Finally, remember that it’s not always about how much time you spend together, but rather the quality of the time you spend together. Even if you can only talk or video chat for a few minutes a day, make sure that you’re fully present and engaged during that time. This can help you make the most of the time you do have together and build stronger relationships in the process. Being connected to our loved ones is not only beneficial to cherish a strong relationship, but also a way to maintain good mental health.
As humans, we are inherently social beings. We thrive on connections with others, and the relationships we build with our loved ones are often some of the most important aspects of our lives. Social distancing may be challenging, but these tips mentioned above can help us not only survive but thrive during social distancing, reminding us that no matter how far apart we may physically be, we are still connected in meaningful ways.
