How to stay connected to people from a distance.
Amid the coronavirus, the news covered has mainly been about how to stay physically healthy by social distancing, washing your hands, and wearing a mask. However many of them neglect to inform the people on how to stay mentally healthy and sane when you’re essentially confined to your home.
A major way to keep that cabin fever at bay is to stay connected with friends and family from a distance.
Here are ways to stay sane while staying connected.
Video Calls
Video Calls are a great way to communicate with people physically. People can use apps like Skype, Google Meet, and Zoom to video call friends and family. Experts say 70% of communication is nonverbal. And during video calls, you get to see the body language and facial expressions of the person you’re calling which helps to build and maintain stronger connections.
When video calls aren’t social enough, people have created apps that allow you to participate in activities with your friends. The App Houseparty allows you to Video Chat with friends and plays games like “Heads Up” with up to eight people. The Houseparty app has been around since 2016 but with everyone, current predicaments due to the coronavirus people are looking for ways to maintain relationships and keep the boredom at bay. The app has had over 50 million new sign-ups since March 2020 and is currently in the Top 5 of free apps in the app store.
Even Netflix is creating ways for people to be social while being stuck at home. The days of trying and failing to watch a show simultaneously and then having to try to stop at the same moment for a bathroom break are over. With Netflix’s new chrome extension “Netflix Party” you can sync up with friends and family so there is no lag time and when someone has to pause it pauses for everyone. This is a great way to form social gathers with people whether they are in the next room or halfway across the country.
Social Media
During times of great stress and societal lows, you can always count on social media and more specifically memes to take the weight off and make you feel like you aren’t in this alone. With the coronavirus affecting everyone in the world, most of the content on social media is quarantine related. From people creating songs about the experience to sharing in the “trauma” of 2020 so far, Social media can make you feel connected and empowered amusingly. After all, laughter is the best medicine.
People have also been finding ways to join together through social media with Instagram live concerts, musical battles, and trivia nights. A lot of people’s favorite celebrities have been using the quarantine as an opportunity to entertain and connect people through an app. DJ’s have been performing live, popular artists have been battling with their greatest hits, and Instagram platforms like Zumble have been hosting trivia nights. The “Verzuz” battles have reached over 700,000 viewers at one time. Everyone is in the same boat and through social media, people can connect based on their experiences and interests.
Form stronger relationships with the people you are quarantined with.
Improving relationships with your housemates is another way to stay connected. People have been finding different activities to do together like making bread from scratch and working on DIY projects. Stores like Michael's have made that easier by providing curbside pick up so you don’t have to go into the store or wait for it to be delivered. Arts and crafts are a great way for a family to bond and include everyone.
When you understand that being connected to others is one of life’s greatest joys, you realize that life’s best comes when you initiate and invest in solid relationships.” — John C. Maxwell, Today Matters
