by Jessica Poe

Humans are social beings. We’re designed to build meaningful relationships, and we crave physical touch. So, how do we stay connected during social distancing and quarantines?

Isolation don’t have to be isolating. We may need to get creative with our connections but think of what we have going for us: Cutting-edge technology, established communities of trust and individual inspiration. We can do this!

Here’s a list of ideas for cultivating connections from a distance:

Keep the clubs rocking

As in book clubs, craft clubs, cooking clubs, etc. by hosting them online.

Hey neighbor

Remember the sitcom Home Improvement? Tim Taylor and his neighbor Wilson had frequent, deep conversations without ever leaving their own fenced backyard. Consider your neighborhood setup and brainstorm possible six-foot-away social schemes. Could cul-de-sac kickball work? How about a block party picnic where everyone dines in their front yard?

Secret service

We feel good when we serve others, and we can continue serving from afar. For example, find roadside trash and pick it up, mow a neighbor’s lawn, write a thank you note, order a family a dinner delivery, donate to a nonprofit organization, or remove invasive plant species in a wildlife area.

Grab a page turner

Books invite us to get close to diverse characters and travel to far away, magical places. That sounds great right now!

Connect with your faith

Connecting with a higher power outside of ourselves can boost many facets of our well-being. In fact, research links spirituality with emotional coping, happiness and physical health benefits.

Bond with Mother Nature

Open the windows to let in fresh air and the sound of birds, go on a walk in the mountains, disconnect with technology and rekindle a relationship with Mother Nature. Spending time in the great outdoors is proven to increase learning and creativity, self-esteem and resilience against stressful situations.

Fun and games

Host a game night video conference with friends. Try racing through a scavenger hunt from home, playing charades or learning more about your pals by playing Two Truths and a Lie or Would You Rather?

Make the call

For older generations who don’t use technology often, a phone call means a lot. So, reach out and initiate genuine conversations and meaningful discussions. Take the opportunity to gleam wisdom from others; ask about difficult times in their past and what helped them get through it.

Spend time with the people in your home

With so much going online, let’s be careful not to isolate ourselves further than necessary by living in separate online worlds. As parents work online, youth school online, and video games and social media outlets grab our attention, let’s consciously connect face-to-face with the people in our homes.

With a variety of ways to connect from afar, we can remember that “alone” doesn’t have to mean “lonely.” We can do our part in this pandemic by staying socially distanced while remaining close in our relationships– both are important and impactful to our well-being.

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Jessica Poe is a full-time homeschooler of three children and a part-time healthcare writer. She also authored the book, “Everyday MOMents.”