10 ways to stay connected while social distancing

It’s not uncommon to feel a little disconnected from others when you’re going through a tough time. Sometimes, the only thing that can help is time and distance. Whether your goal is to put some space between yourself and your social circle, or just leading a more solitary lifestyle for a while, here are ten ways to stay connected while social distancing.

1. Use your cell phone as a personal, mobile office

Many of us use our cell phones to keep up with the news and weather, check email and Facebook, and even send text messages. But there’s a whole other world out there that you only see when you open your phone: You have a personal calendar on your cell phone, complete with appointments and contacts. Use it! Put personal notes on your planner if you like (I love using  Everyday Journal), or add contact info to your address book so that people can reach you in an emergency by just dialing their number from their phone (you can also include more personal information about yourself like religious preferences in these contact lists).

2. Join a community service group

You don’t have to be a social outcast to get involved—meet up with friends, form a study group or book club, or become a member of an organization that you feel passionate about. You can also volunteer at your local animal shelter on weekends or after school, and make friends with people who share similar interests.

3. Talk to the people who care about you

A simple phone call or email to a close relative, friend, or family member can help you feel better and lighten your load for the day, week, or month ahead by relieving some of the pressure from your shoulders. (And sometimes there’s nothing better than talking out loud to empty space. It’s like someone is listening.)

4. Organize a monthly or weekly meeting with your friends

Setting up a monthly or weekly get-together with friends can do two things: It will keep you in touch, and it will also help you stay in touch with the people who are important to you when those times of greatest stress come around. You’ll have someone to fall back on when it all gets to be too much. And when times are better, you can celebrate your good fortune. 5. Transition from cell phone and laptop to snail mail or handwritten letters (aka real-life connections).

6. Video call your family and friends

There are many ways to do this, including Facebook, Skype or Watsapp.
Video calls allow you to see the faces of the people you love while they see yours, and in a lot of ways it’s easier to feel emotions and understand what someone really means when you can read their expressions.

7. Enlist the help of someone you trust

If your objective is to stay connected with people you love, one of your best resources for doing so is a close friend or family member, who can be a sounding board and support system. You’ll want to choose someone who can be discreet, but who also has the wisdom and insight necessary to offer practical advice on how to deal with others. (If you’re worried about what they might say, this tip can help.)

8. Attend social events (in person)

If you’re uncomfortable with face-to-face contact, steer clear of large crowds and noisy environments. Try smaller events that might be more your speed, like community seminars or classes, lectures or performances.

9. Take a quick getaway

Spending time away from it all doesn’t mean you have to run away from it all—just the opposite. A quick trip to the beach, a day hike in the woods or a favorite local attraction can help you feel reconnected to the world around you and to yourself as well as give yourself a sense of perspective and deep breathing room when it’s not convenient for others to call on you.

10. Organize an outing with the people who matter most to you

If you’re looking for the most low-key way to spend time with friends, family, and loved ones with the fewest strings attached, consider organizing a social outing where everyone lends a hand. It could be as simple as a friendly barbecue or picnic in your backyard or as intricate as an overnight camping trip. These kinds of events help create lifelong memories and strengthen personal connections all at the same time.