5 Tips To Stay Socially Connected During Lockdown
Amongst quarantine, social distancing, isolation, business closures and job losses, it’s no surprise that many are finding it challenging to adjust and remain connected with others in the process during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In times of crisis and increased stress, maintaining and strengthening our social connections and looking after our mental health has never been more important.
Social belonging is so important that it’s recognised as a human need.
In the same way we choose “busy” (the easy choice), we can often choose to focus on the negatives in tough situations by default, as opposed to looking at the positives.
Let’s take this pandemic for example, it’s tough – no doubt about it. With so much worrying news around us, we can all play a role in creating positivity.
Not only for ourselves but for those who matter most to us.
So, this week I want to encourage you to invest time in your connections with others.
Focusing on what you CAN control and limit the focus on what we can’t control.
This is something I have been really challenging myself with over the past 2 months. Not everything has worked.
It’s simply been a “test & learn” approach.
If you are asking yourself, “Where do I start?”
Allow me to share with you my top 5 tips to stay socially connected during lockdown!
Tip 1: Video messages
Why text message when you can send a video message?
These days there are so many ways to connect with your loved ones online including social media, but my favorite is definitely video messaging.
I don’t know about you, but I miss the day-to-day connection and seeing friendly faces.
Trying to get out of the habit of text replying and instead, shooting a video reply to a message. I may not get one back, but maybe, just maybe the person on the other end needed the connection too.
Tip 2: Weekly “Online” gatherings
Whether it be apps like Houseparty (amazing, personal favorite) or Zoom, organising a time of the week to get on a video call with your friends or family can create the togetherness that we are missing!
Personally, my close circle of friends has been doing this each Saturday night, utilising Houseparty to play “Uno”, have trivia nights and hang out together like we would outside of COVID.
Tip 3: Get outside & active
5km (currently our allowed radius) for some is bigger than I first thought it would be.
Make time to get outside, take a walk and be at peace with your mind. Listen to some music, an audiobook or the sound of the birds and natures surround (thanks Alex Burke for this tip, loved it!).
Tip 4: Extend support to others
A big part of feeling socially connected is getting, as well as extending support.
Offering support can have emotional benefits to those that offer it as much as those who accept it.
The pandemic is a shared experience that affects us all. Offering to drop-off food or medication for an elderly person or neighbor is a way of showing tangible support.
By comforting an anxious friend by simply providing an ear (or two) and listening during these tough times, you may be starting the conversation that could change a life.
Tip 5: Self-Care – You can’t be there for others to the best of your ability if you can’t take care of yourself.
While you’re at home, make an effort to practice self-care.
Your routine has been shaken, and it’s easy to surrender to inactivity and temptation.
Self-care doesn’t have a “one size fits all” approach. It’s personal, but there is no better time to start trying things than now!
Start small, block out 10-15 minutes for yourself daily. Whether it’s meditating, walking, playing music, listening to music or partaking in a hobby – self-care comes with great rewards and you deserve time for YOU!
We have so much to be grateful for, and whilst this pandemic has had crippling impact on families, businesses and communities we can not only control the above, but we can impact someone else’s life and make a difference by connecting and reaching out.
Hopefully, these tips will help you to improve & feel connected with your family and friends during this tough time and remember it is normal to feel stressed or anxious during this time – you are not alone.
Key Takeaway: Now is the time to establish an action plan to stay connected and promote health and well-being.
A good place to start is by doing an audit of current social relationships and activities. Also consider reaching out to friends and associates from the past.
There’s never been a better time to renew relationships and to build a stronger sense of community at all levels.
With many of us working from home, workplace stressors are now in peoples’ homes, as the boundaries between personal and professional life become blurred.
According to a survey done by Deliotte, 38% of workers say lockdown has had a negative impact on their well-being.
PATHRIVE supports clients in igniting their passion to excel.
Take the first step towards discovering your pathway to thrive!
About Howard
Howard Blackburn is an award-winning people leader, business mentor and empowerment coach in Sydney, Australia with over a decade of experience in leadership coaching & mentoring.
Howard has a passion for people and leadership development.
He started PATHRIVE to help empower people to evolve beyond the culture of busy and into balance.
