Member-only story
Avoiding Isolation While Social Distancing
Staying safe while staying connected
This isn’t the spring I was expecting. Weddings and parties have been postponed; races and dinners, canceled entirely. A global pandemic is keeping us cooped up in our homes.
It’s been over a month since I’ve seen many family members, and it’s easy to feel isolated. You may have to social distance, but it doesn’t mean you have to cut yourself off from everybody.
It can take a little more work and creativity, but you can still keep in touch with people, and keep your spirits up. Here are a few suggestions.
Check in with loved ones
Early on during my “social distancing,” I chatted with friends and family daily. As time went on, I grew bored of saying, “Hey, still hanging in there?” Soon enough, I would realize I let 4–5 days go by without sending even a text to certain people.
I now make it a point to check in with people more frequently. I try to send and ask for photos, so I’m still a part of my friends and family’s lives.
Calls or texts aren’t your only option, either. You can use Facetime on iPhones, or Google Duo on Android, to make video calls. This is especially helpful if you have a loved one in a nursing home, and can’t visit. It’s not…
