Social Self-care: Staying Connected While Social Distancing

Staying Social While Social Distancing

In light of the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, government and healthcare officials throughout the globe have asked people to stay home to help slow the spread of the virus. While this can help to preserve your physical health, practicing social distancing can leave you feeling emotionally isolated, to say the least. Fortunately, there are many ways you can remain connected with your loved ones.

Pick Up the Phone

From phone calls to text messages and video chats, using your phone and smart devices can help you to feel close to your friends and family. Whether you decide to catch up with an old friend or check in with your extended family, talking to the ones you love can help you to feel less lonely.

Learn a New Skill

Now that you’ll be spending more time indoors, you may find that you have time for hobbies and activities that you otherwise couldn’t do. Thankfully, we live in an age of technology that gives us access to a plethora of information online. You can join a group of people interested in the same hobby, take virtual classes, or even commit to learning something new with a friend—the options are endless!

Take an Online Workout Class

Whether you prefer to take yoga classes or you like to have a guided flow to your workout, there are plenty of free and paid options available online. You can even start a group chat with your classmates to help to foster a sense of community and to keep each other committed to health and fitness while you’re apart.

Watch Movies with Friends

From watching your favorite movies to binging an entire series, you can stay connected with your loved ones by viewing them together. Set up a time to tune into your screen while you video chat, talk on the phone, or message each other to feel close while you stay entertained.

Host a Virtual Happy Hour

If you find yourself working from home, it can be easy to feel burnt out and overworked when your work-life and home-life blend together. A simple way to remedy this issue is to schedule a virtual happy hour at the end of the week with your coworkers. You can catch up, share some laughs, and unwind — reminding yourselves that you’re in this together.

Although you’ll be spending time with friends from afar, it is essential to remember to drink responsibly. Drink in moderation and don’t drink and drive.

Play Video Games Together

Whether you prefer to use your phone or a gaming console, you can use online games to stay connected with your friends and family members even while you're apart. From virtual board games to elaborate adventures, virtual games are an excellent way to have fun with your loved ones from afar.

Maintain Faith in Your Community

If you regularly attend religious services, look into whether your spiritual leader is offering them online. If not, you should be able to find an alternative. Many ministers, priests, rabbis and other religious leaders offer online services.

Practice Self Care - Connect with Your MarinHealth Provider Remotely

MarinHealth Medical Network offers telemedicine appointments, which allow you to meet with your provider from the comfort of your home. You can use your smartphone, tablet, laptop, or desktop with webcam to participate. You will be able to see and hear your provider for a real-time, video-based interaction.

There has never been a better time to connect with your physician, to assess your health, review any current symptoms you might have or to review the health impact of your current lifestyle. Call your primary care provider to learn more, or find a primary care provider, today!