Stay Social While Social Distancing

Being stuck inside is pretty lonely, especially if you live by yourself, which is why it’s more important than ever to stay in touch with friends and family. Some of us enjoy alone time and some are social butterflies, but one thing we all have in common is a need for love and support during tough times. 

We’ve come up with 5 ways you can stay connected while social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Video Chats and Hangouts

Thanks to the power of tools like Skype, FaceTime, and Zoom, we can chat face-to-face without being in the same room. Here are a few virtual hangouts I already have on my calendar:

• Have dinner together on a video chat with a group of friends. No more fighting over which restaurant to go to!
• Keep club meetings going by meeting virtually through Zoom or Google Hangouts. I’m in a mental health advocacy group and we’ve started meeting online instead of canceling.  
• Provide mentorship for coworkers or industry peers who might need your help … virtually! Make a cup of joe and chat it up.
• Host a virtual happy hour with friends and coworkers. Check out our easy happy hour makeup tutorial that'll look oh-so-flattering on camera. 

Make Plans for the Future

Why not use your new-found free time to plan some fun trips and outings? There’s nothing like a quarantine to make you appreciate and yearn for exploration. Use this time to plan a trip for next year!

• Plan out your dream road trip. I did this using RoadTrippers.
• Coordinate a girls trip with your friends to a place you’ve never been to before.
• Research local attractions and trendy restaurants to visit in the future.

Go Live

One great way to beat the quarantine blues is by going live on social media. It’ll help you feel more connected with the world and remind you that your loved ones are just a call or text away. You might even make a new friend or two online!

• Host a Q & A session. 
• Showcase a unique skill you have
• Spring clean your closet and sell your clothes QVC style.

Write Letters

When was the last time you actually sent a hand-written letter to someone? As someone who keeps a journal, I know the cathartic powers that writing down your thoughts can have. Your friends and family will be pleasantly surprised when they receive your letter, and you’ll feel better doing so.

• Ask old friends for their address. Write them a letter catching them up on what’s new with you.
• Write a letter to your parents or siblings reminding them how much you love them. 
• Write a letter to your significant other or BFF as a surprise.

Talk to a Professional

On a serious note, events like the COVID-19 pandemic can cause stress, anxiety and even depression because we’re worried about our health, the health of our loved ones and the state of the world. One of the ways that the CDC recommends coping with these feelings is to stay connected with others, but if that’s not enough, there are plenty of professional resources available. 

• Many mental health providers offer over-the-phone sessions. Find a local mental health provider or call your current provider.
• If you don’t have insurance or can’t find a local provider try an online counseling service like Talkspace or Betterhelp. They can be expensive so try utilizing a local counseling service first. 
• If all else fails and you need someone to talk to, you can use the Disaster Distress Helpline by calling 1-800-985-5990 or texting TalkWithUs to 66746 to connect with a trained crisis counselor.