STAYING SOCIAL WHILST SOCIAL DISTANCING: HOW TO REMAIN CONNECTED IN THE TIME OF CORONAVIRUS

In a previous article on Why Loneliness is Harmful for your Health, we looked at how loneliness can have a significant impact on physical and mental health. So, what can we do now in the time of coronavirus when lockdown and social distancing are upon us? It’s important to recognise that social distancing doesn’t mean social isolation - there are still ways in which we can stay connected with loved ones connect and with our community. But just how can this be achieved?

It’s helpful to understand that social connectedness isn’t just a case of physical proximity. Think back to some of the most memorable moments in your life, and chances are it was a shared occasion. It may have been a backpacking with your mates in some dodgy hostels, or a summer holiday with friends, or even a really funny classroom or work situation. It’s these shared memories that help us feel connected even after an event has passed. Look to elements such as the following to foster a sense of social connectedness:

• Nostalgia [1]

• Shared life events (oh…such as the coronavirus pandemic of 2020)

• Shared cultures

• Shared interests

• Being involved in community

But in the age of social distancing, how can we remain connected when we’re physically isolated? Let’s look at some options below.

CONNECTING ONLINE…

If you haven’t gotten on board with apps such as Zoom and Houseparty (and FaceTime, and Skype, what are you waiting for? It’s a chance to gather together in a time when there are tight restrictions about hanging out in groups. Use it for a variety of catch ups including:

• Catch up with family over lunch

• Have a progressive dinner party with friends (from the dining room to lounge-room floor then dessert in the laundry)

• Just chat with friends while gossiping over coffee or wine, playing games

• Book-club anyone?

• Get a group fitness challenge going

• Celebrate birthdays! Or, celebrate just because…

And to make things even more interesting, theme it (e.g. 80s, dress as a character from a favourite movie, or come as a favourite Tiger King character…).

Going online though is so much more than just having parties. You can also connect with smaller groups of friends, or even just one on one. Even something such as rifling through old photos (for example on a Throwback Thursday) and sharing these with friends - the nostalgia can really enhance a feeling of connectedness as you head down memory lane. It’s a chance to maintain bonds at a very unique time in the world and in people’s lives, and it is these shared connections that forge stronger connections in the longer term.

You can even take your connections beyond family and friendship circles. Consider reaching out online with words of thanks for healthcare workers and other frontline personnel, or even make a donation.

A WORD OF WARNING. Going online may be a GREAT way to catch up with others, but as with all social media it’s helpful to see things for what they are and not engage in unhelpful social comparisons as to how someone else may be handling isolife better than you, or how much more productive they seem to be.

CONNECTING OFF-LINE WHILE SOCIAL DISTANCING

Sometimes, you may just want to get offline. Particularly if you were already weaning yourself off being constantly connected, isolife can present a real challenge when it comes to staying connected. If this is you, though, what options are available?

Get old-school with correspondence

We’re talking grabbing some proper stationery that says you mean (letter-writing) business, putting pen to paper in your best handwriting, and then letting the postal service do its thing (or drive and drop off the letter if you are able to).

Visit and chat over the fence, or out in open space

If you’re still able to in your pocket of the world, you can always visit and chat over the fence or from a distance in open space. This can really boost your mood and it’s the closest you’ll get to someone in real life.

Neighbourhood gathering with a twist

Even in times of lockdown or social distancing, you may still be able to have a balcony or driveway party. We’re also seeing some very costume-themed or glamour-themed trips to take the bins out once a week!

Do something together, just not all at once!

This will require creativity and planning to come up with an event that you can all participate in - asynchronously of course! The aim here is to be part of something together, just not all at once!

• Try a scavenger hunt. Choose a suburb to visit (not all at once!) to see how many things you can tick off on the list. For younger kids this may be a bear hunt (in windows of houses); for grown-ups this may mean quirky dress-ups while tracking down obscure items in shop windows. Photographic evidence may be necessary to share in the laughs.

• A spin on the scavenger hunt, try to go Amazing Race-style, or set up an obstacle course. You may need to cheat a bit and go a touch online with apps like Strava for time tracking before awards and prizes are handed out.

• Build on a community project - a community garden, or a network of local ‘little libraries’, are a good way of fostering connectedness with community.

Connect with community

Connect beyond your immediate circle and focus on community. This can also increase the feelgood factor at a time when it’s sorely needed:

• Can you do grocery shopping for someone in need?

• Can you support your local restaurant or cafe with takeaways and make their day (and support their livelihood)?

• Can you help a frontline worker by providing a meal, or just saying thanks?

There are so many ways in which you can stay connected during this time of social distancing. All it takes is a bit of creativity.

And if you’re finding social distancing particularly challenging and lonely, and would like to speak to one of our team, reach out to us below.

Want to learn more about loneliness? Why not grab our tip sheet on 5 Tips for Loneliness and Social Anxiety?

REFERENCES

[1] van Tilburg, W.A.P., Sedikides, C., Wildschut, T., & Vingerhoets, A.J.J.M. (2019). How nostalgia infuses life with meaning: From social connectedness to self-continuity. European Journal of Social Psychology, 49, 521-532.