The easily transmittable nature of COVID-19 means that social distancing, and even isolation, are our best chances of protection, especially for seniors. Less person-to-person contact means a lower chance of the virus spreading. But with less human contact comes more feelings of loneliness. Read on to learn a few ways of staying in touch with friends and family while maintaining a social distance. Stay Connected, Stay Sharp It’s important to maintain good mental health while distancing. Experiencing excessive feelings of loneliness, stress and anxiety from being isolated can bog down your immune system, and when your immune system can’t operate at its best, you’re more susceptible to getting sick. One of the best ways to maintain good mental health during these times is to stay in touch with friends and family. Even though you can’t be near each other physically doesn’t mean you can’t still spend quality time together. There are a number of activities you can do over the phone or on a video call at home to help things feel a less lonely. Fun Ways to Connect
- Cook together. Talk to your kids over a phone or video call while you each cook the same meal together from a safe distance.
- Book club. Organize a book club with friends and schedule a phone or video call once a week to talk about the book of the month.
- Virtual game nights. Set a time with a group of friends for a virtual game night.
- Fun with Grandkids. Set up a text exchange with your grandkids where each day you challenge each other to learn or experience something new at home. Share the results at the end of the day.
- Virtual lunch dates. Call a friend or family member to chat with while you’re both taking a lunch break.
- Virtual parties. Missing birthdays, anniversaries, holidays and other gatherings is no fun. Get everyone together safely by throwing a virtual party over a video call.
- Buddy-up for walks. Chat over the phone with friends while taking a walk.
- Walking bingo. Make a bingo chart of items you usually see on a walk and mark them off as you go. Compare scores with a friend when you get home.
- Letters. Surprise loved ones by sending a letter in the mail.
- Drop off a meal. Leave a meal at your neighbors door to maintain a social distance while still making sure they’re well-fed.
Being There for Each Other Even though you’re apart, you can use some of these fun ways to connect with friends and family. It’s more important now than ever to reach out to one another. We’re all in this together, and by simply staying connected we can help each other through this difficult time. Photo Credit: Getty
