Social Distancing - How to Prevent Isolation?

During these tumultuous times in the United States and around the world, social distancing is becoming the new way of operating. To stay safe and not contract and/or spread the coronavirus more and more people are working from home. As a result people can feel socially disconnected and/or start feeling down. How can we keep engaged and keep our spirits up during these times?

• Use technology - while I normally say that we are losing the art of connection due to technology, technology is a tool which can serve us during these times. Leverage the tools that we have in place - zoom, Skype, FaceTime, WhatsApp, other video technology to visually connect with colleagues, friends, and family. Set up a video meetings during work instead of just conference calls. Organize virtual happy hours with friends and family to connect on the weekends and evenings instead of just with your family or alone. Be proactive in connecting with others.
• Set up times of the day to take care of yourself - whether it is first thing in the morning workouts, lunch time meditation sessions, walks in the park with friends/family/pets, calls or video checks in with colleagues. Have a set routine for self-care and sticking to it can provide a structure and routine to keep you mentally and physically strong to handle the stress and anxiety during these times.
• Learn something new - read a book, take an online class, learn a new language on Duolingo, watch a Ted Talk. There are so many ways to keep your mind occupied in so many different mediums. While in person learning may have been put on hold there are lots of ways to keep learning. Start digging into the piles of magazines that you have or use your Amazon Prime membership to get free books. Keep learning and you will come out of this more revived.
• Be mindful - mindfulness practices, meditation, or yoga can be wonderful tools to connect more with yourself during these stressful times and remain centered. There are many online resources now to help you through guided meditations like artofliving.org or many yoga studios are now offering their classes virtually. Be proactive and find ways to keep your body and mind healthy.
• Find ways to give back - while you may be in a hard position there are many others who are suffering worse - hourly workers, those with the virus, senior citizens, etc. Find ways to give back. Check in on your elderly family members by phone or video call, donate money to your local organizations who are providing food and resources to the less fortunate, send words of encouragement and/or humorous videos to friends and family to keep their spirits up. This is the time to lean into helping others. 

While social distancing is different for so many of us, it is a way to slow down, keep connected with people in a different way, and truly come out on the other side a stronger and more resilient person.