Social experiences are critical for mental health and happiness. When we lose the ability to talk, hang out, or communicate with friends, family, and co-workers, maintaining that sense of happiness is difficult. Thanks to our digitally enhanced world, staying connected is easier than ever before. Hundreds of messaging and video calling apps are available, which keeps us connected to our family and friends. [1]
So, we have picked five unique and the best ways to stay connected during social distancing.
1. Make a Video Call
At the end of the workweek, having cheap drinks and appetizers with colleagues or mates can be a great way to relax. However, with many bars and restaurants closing their doors right now, this part of your weekly routine may be lacking — you can throw a fun virtual happy hour from home.
You can also send a Google Hangouts link or Zoom invite to all your colleagues or friends to open their laptops, tablets, or smartphones and engage in a healthy conversation. [2] Everyone can drink anything at home and virtually spend time together. You can also check with local bars to get your favorite drink mix, cocktail, or local beer for the occasion. [2]
2. Netflix Party
Watching the same thing at the same time with friends and you can feel like you are with them: smiling, catching up, and hearing the dog barking in the distance. For those looking to watch Netflix with those who are far away (or not in your living room), this could be the best-kept secret: a Google Chrome extension called Netflix Party helps you to have a virtual movie night with friends wherever they are.
Download the extension, open Netflix in a Google Chrome browser, and “Start a Party.” Once you have got your party URL, you can share it with your friends and join it. [3] This helps you and your friends keep up with your shows or movies without off-pace.
3. Social Games
Although you may not want your kids to spend time on video games, some games allow your child to interact with friends. It may be a choice where you want to remain nearby for periodic check-ins, but this may be a way to give kids a fun way to connect digitally. It would be best to look into games like Roblox, Maker 2, and Mario for elementary-school-age kids. Older kids will do the same by Minecraft and Fortnite.[4] This method is also incredibly beneficial for children celebrating birthdays during social distance.
4. Consider a Neighbourhood Hangout
Social distancing is not utter isolation. Driveways, yards, and sidewalks make setting boundaries easier while encouraging peoples to get out and connect. [5] Involve kids and let them interact with these ideas:
- Build driveway art with chalk and have a neighborhood “gallery walk.”.
- We can use washable markers to draw or play tic-tac-toe with friends through windows or storm doors.
- Create a community scavenger hunt, looking for a particular object (such as a flag, Christmas decoration, balloon, etc.) from the sidewalk.
5. Embrace Social Media
Though social media may have downsides, it is a way of staying connected to people in your life; you can not immediately see. Using social media to keep in touch, see pictures of people you meet, and enjoy some funny memes and videos. However, do not heavily rely on social media as your only way to “communicate” with the outside world — and if you think what you see making you more nervous than content, take a break from social media.
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