Let’s face it, for so many self-isolation is hard. If you’re an extrovert that loves to go out or even an introvert that likes to spend time with friends, you may be getting a bit tense right now. Luckily, we live in the modern world, so there are a ton of ways for us to connect with the people that we don’t currently live with. This can truly help out with depression, anxiety, loneliness, and anything else that you might be feeling during this time. If you’re having trouble with the self-isolation period, or you know someone else that is then you might want to give some of these tips a chance until we’re all clear to get back to normal.
1. Netflix Party
As soon as cities started asking people to stay inside, Netflix jumped on the scene with a fun way to ease some of the loneliness associated with staying home. Now, when you watch a movie on the streaming platform, you can actually start up a watch party. This will allow you to enjoy a movie or binge-watch your favorite TV show with others. The new party option even provides you with a chatroom, so you can enjoy everyone’s commentary as you share in your favorite comfort shows. Of course, if you don’t have Netflix, or you’ve already binged everything worth watching once, then you can do this with other platforms, too. It will take a bit more work. You might have to start up your own chat or a group video call to begin with. You will also have to synchronize when you begin the show, so everyone is watching at the same exact time. All in all, though, it can bring a sense of normalcy to your life, especially if you watch shows with your friends often.
2. Video Chat
Video chats are one of the most common ways to keep in touch with people now. In fact, if you’re working from home then you’re probably already video chatting quite a bit. You can use the video chat section to keep up with others though, even if it isn’t work-related. For instance, if you see a group of friends or colleagues on a daily basis then you might try to chat with them each day. You can even set up a lunch date to add a sense of normalcy to it all. Apart from that, you might make it a point to spend time with family members, too, especially the elderly. Loneliness can hit home for this group of people more often than others, so make sure their isolation period isn’t too rough. If you don’t have anyone to chat with then there are chatrooms for anyone who wants to meet people. Make sure you exercise caution here but have fun and enjoy the company of others if you are feeling lonely.
3. Teddy Bear Hunt
Just talking to people isn’t quite enough for some, which is where the teddy bear hunt comes in. Many people are placing bears in their windows for kids to spot while they are on walks. If you have a teddy bear in the home, you might consider doing this to add a bit of magic to life. Kids will be able to feel like the world isn’t quite as bad as they seek out a bear on every block. If you don’t have a bear then you can use just about any stuffed animal, as it should bring joy to kids to see something colorful in your window. You can also write a special message like a riddle or joke to add to the fun. This will help you feel like you’re still a part of humanity, which will make the isolation period a bit less challenging.
4. Birthday Party Parade
March, April, and May are some of the busiest months when it comes to birthdays. Due to this, there are many children that are missing out on having a birthday party or a celebration of any sort with friends and family. One of the best ways to still make someone feel special is to have a birthday party parade. Essentially, you can organize this in a group chat to make sure everyone is on board. Then, everyone meets up and drives in front of the birthday child’s home. People can deck out their vehicles, write special messages, play songs, and more. The important thing is to maintain social distancing while you do this though. If there is an elderly person in your life then you can also do this for them, as it is bound to be a pleasant surprise that will lift their spirits.
5. Block Party
Real parties are pretty much off-limits now, but if you’re having trouble going without seeing people then you might consider hosting a block party. This doesn’t mean that you give up on social distancing though. Instead, get on your neighborhood app, or send the people on your block an invitation in snail mail. Then, at your selected time, everyone sits on their front porch or lawn and shares a drink together. You can take turns playing music, use a megaphone to chat, or simply just enjoy spotting everyone on your block. It is crucial that you stay 6 feet away from each other, if not more. You should also wear your masks to help add even more protection.
6. Window Visits
For the immune-compromised, a window visit is one of the best options when it comes to seeing someone in person. If you have a family member or friend in a nursing home for instance, then you might pop by their window for a visit. As long as the window remains closed, you can use the phone to have a conversation with one another while still being able to see one another in person. Of course, you should also exercise caution with a face mask for your own safety. You can even make signs to help get the message across. There have been many stories online of family members celebrating birthdays, meeting new family members, and so on through windows, so embrace the idea and use it for your particular situation.
7. Utilize Social Media
Social media might be a drain on everyone when life is normal, but right now it is one of the best assets that we have. If you’re not on social media right now, then you might temporarily make a page or two to help you communicate with the people in your life. Most social media pages will allow you to chat with friends and family while sharing pictures with ease. You might even be able to make new friends with people that have similar hobbies and so on. Social media can be used to learn new things, as well, which can help you pass the time with ease.
8. Take an Online Course
Luckily, the internet is rich with resources. So, if you don’t have a lot going on during self-isolation and you’d like to use some of your free time to improve your education then you might want to take advantage of some online courses. There are many ways to do this. If you’re already in college or you want to enroll, then many colleges are still offering online classes. So, when next semester rolls around you can easily sign up for classes. Some colleges are offering five-week classes online, which will allow you to take advantage of the classes without interrupting your normal life. These classes will allow you to interact with your fellow students too, which can help ease your loneliness while keeping your mind active. If you have a few extra dollars to spend then you can purchase some online courses that can help with tech skills, art, and more. You might come out of the process with a certificate that can help you land a better job. If you’re on a tight budget, then there are a lot of free classes online to take advantage of. You won’t get credit for the classes, but you will get to gain the knowledge, which will be more than worth it.
9. Volunteer
Another way to stay connected with the community, especially if you’re a non-essential worker, is to volunteer. There are a lot of services that currently need a whole lot of help, so if you’re willing to put yourself at risk then your help will most likely be appreciated. If you have a medical certificate or professional training, then the hospital might take you on as a temporary worker. Another great place to donate your time is food banks and other facilities that hand out food. Since more people will need groceries during this hard time, there is a bigger need for help passing out the items and preparing them. Volunteering will help you connect to your community through while ensuring you do your part to make the world a better place. Of course, it is important to practice safety measures while you’re out.
10. Find a Pen Pal
There are many elderly people stuck at home that aren’t technologically savvy. Thankfully, there are many organizations that help elderly people find a pen pal to help keep their minds active when they can’t spend time with the people they typically would visit in their community. Adopting an elder will help you enjoy getting to know someone while learning something about the older generation. You might even get to a point where you can video chat with the elder that you adopt. You might also enjoy getting to know the person in real life when the self-isolation is over.
Connecting with others is an important part of being a human being. However, it is hard to get the social interaction needed during a self-isolation period, especially if you’re living alone. These ten ideas will help you connect with others while allowing you to learn new ways to communicate that you might even consider using when the self-isolation period is over.
