9 Ways To Stay In Touch With People Amid Social Distancing Rules

There was a time when we had the regular nine-to-five working days and got to meet up with friends and attend parties on the weekends. However, all of this took a turn for the worse after the pandemic hit us. Since meeting up with people is unsafe as the Coronavirus is highly contagious, many of us have had to self isolate in our own homes. However, this can take an immense toll on our mental health, and many of us who live alone were left feeling lost. It can get pretty exhausting working from home, doing chores, and then going to sleep at night. You probably feel pretty disconnected from your colleagues, friends, family, and just about everyone in your life. So if you’re wondering how to deal with that ever-present feeling of loneliness and FOMO (fear of missing out), we have nine ways in which you can stay connected while following social distancing rules:

1. Video Call

You can always use technology to stay in touch with your loved ones. Whether it’s through WhatsApp, Instagram, or Skype, there are plenty of ways to reconnect with loved ones. You should also think about reaching out to old friends and pals you may have lost touch with over the years. We guarantee that they will appreciate the feeling.

2. Get To Know Your Neighbors

Nowadays, the saying, “Love Thy Neighbor” is slowly fading. Since everyone is so deeply occupied in their own problems, work, and life in general, the least we can spare our neighbors is a fleeting “Hi” when we meet them by chance. If you’re someone who has stayed isolated for the most part, then we can guarantee you that getting in touch with your neighbors is an excellent way to stay connected. Plus, this is beneficial in case you ever have an emergency and need their help. You can also connect with delivery guys, your postman, and so many more people (if they are okay with being spoken to). As long as you keep a safe distance between yourself and the person you are interacting with and wear a mask, you’re good to go.

3. Connect With People Via An Online Group

During these days, we are left with an abundant amount of time and energy. Since we don’t have to exhaust ourselves while traveling, we can actually participate in plenty of activity groups and learn something new. You can join a group on Facebook where people have shared interests and connect with people who are in that group. However, be smart and don’t divulge personal information to people who you’ve just met. You simply need to find leeway to bond over topics of common interest.

4. Join An Online Book Club

If you have a bunch of friends who are bookworms or are interested in learning something new, you can join an interactive online discussion or a book club. You can also watch plenty of live streams too and try out their live chat features. There are a lot of communities out there that need to keep the old-school activities alive. You can engage in online reading sessions or share books with each other.

5. Have Virtual Hangouts And Play Online Games

Host video chats with family members and spend some one-on-one time with them. You can host a virtual movie night, game night, dinner, or even a happy hour session (bring on the booze). There are many fun ways in which you can utilize this technology, and you can even google different tools that can be of help to you. It is a good weekend activity to unwind and keep in touch with your close friends or other acquaintances. It is hard to meet up with people in person due to many personal commitments and even more so because of social distancing now. This is so convenient to have fun with your old friends who are staying far away from you.

6. Give Someone A Surprise Phone Call

If you’re feeling lonely, think about how lonely your grandparents or parents must be feeling during this time. Maybe now is a good time to reconnect with that cousin you have not spoken to in years. Social isolation truly brings out the nostalgic side of us, and what better way to feed that nostalgia than by picking up your phone and giving that loved one a call. Of course, while it’s all well and good to have nostalgic moments, we’d advise you not to give that toxic ex a call.

7. Hit The Pet Park

Who doesn’t love dogs, cats, and other pets? Truly. And if you meet someone who says they don’t, run in the opposite direction (we’re just kidding… or are we?). One way to connect with people is to bond over shared interests and trust us when we say one thing— pet lovers love exchanging info about their pets. In fact, we bet they spend every waking moment with their pets at the back of their minds. So go out with your pet, get some fresh air, and befriend other pet owners/walkers at the pet park!

8. Participate In Group Activities Held At A Distance

If you live in an apartment building and there are no lockdown restrictions in place, consider participating in some light group activities like exercising while keeping six feet of distance, singing (Remember Antakshari?), or even jogging around the complex. There’s plenty of ways with which you can keep yourself occupied during this time.

9. Exercise With Your Partner

If you’re one of those who are lucky enough to be quarantined with their partners, then we have some good news for you! You and your partner can exercise at home, go for jogs and maybe even join an online exercise class. This is also a safe way to connect with people online as you know creeps won’t try to hit on you in front of your partner. The sad reality, we know.

Regardless of whether you live alone, with family, or with your partner, it’s essential to stay connected during this time. We tend to space out into our bubble and also become socially awkward by staying indoors for so long. So it is good to revive your social skills before you go back to normal times. Of course, this doesn’t mean that you have to push yourself or force yourself to make friends, and if you are someone who thrives in solitude, then that’s great too. Do let us know all of your thoughts on this article in the comment section below!

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Niharika NayakBA (Media & Communication)

 

Niharika has a passion for all things art, music, and travel and has over 4 years of experience in writing for social media. During her spare time, she likes experimenting in the kitchen, playing video games, and hanging out with stray animals.

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