Stay Connected With Family and Friends!

With social distancing measures in place, maintaining social connections is more important than ever. Just because people are not able to gather in person doesn’t mean we can’t spend time with family and friends!

Video calling, whether it’s Google Hangouts, WhatsApp, Skype, Zoom, FaceTime, or another system, is a great way to do more than just talk with loved ones over the phone. In the absence of being able to gather for meals, movie nights, or other activities, video calling can work as a good substitute. Consider gathering family and friends to take part in a virtual hang out with one of the activities below:

Sharing a Meal

Even though you can’t actually share a meal together, you can still talk to each other while you do! Consider taking this one step further and cooking the same foods – you can even turn it into the competition and send everyone a brand new recipe to test out!

Movie Night

Extensions like Netflix Party can make a virtual movie night easier to manage by making sure everyone’s movies pause and play at the same time. While you’re watching, considering using group texts or staying on a video call during the movie to stay connected. If you’re having a hard time finding something new to watch, consider going back and watching old favourites or popular movie marathons.

Trivia Challenge

Using a physical trivia game or one of the many apps available, designate a trivia “host” and have the rest of your group compete to win the challenge! You can even split up into teams to see who can guess the most correct answers and keep score. If you’re hosting weekly challenges, consider letting each person pick a different theme each week.

Games and Sing-a-Longs

Some board games may be hard to complete virtually, but there are many that can still work with family and friends like these ones. If some people don’t have access to a physical version of the game, try designating someone as the organizer to make sure everyone knows the rules and has access to any information they need. This can go beyond board games as well – you can take part in virtual sing-a-longs, talent competitions, and more!

Take Care of Yourself

During this difficult time, it’s more important than ever to take care of ourselves. With everything going on, it can be overwhelming just checking the news or going to get groceries. Taking time for yourself to stay connected and looking after your well-being is an essential activity that doesn’t have to take up too much of your time but can make all the difference.

Focus on Connection

With most people working from home and practicing social distancing, now is the best time to stay connected in whatever way you can. Whether it is setting up phone calls and video calls with friends and family, taking the time to connect with others is an important step to overcome isolation and improve mental well-being. Even if it’s sending a text to a co-worker or making a quick call to a neighbour, any form of connection is good.

Manage Your Stress

In a time like this, taking steps to manage your stress is key. Try to stick to a routine and follow a regular schedule. If you’re working from home or homeschooling kids, set working hours but be sure to still take regular breaks to exercise, have a snack and just relax. If the weather is nice, consider going for a quick walk or just sitting on your balcony to enjoy the sunshine.

Stay Positive

Don’t be too hard on yourself if you have days when you’re feeling down or unmotivated. Many people are feeling anxious and stressed about the pandemic in addition to feeling isolated and overwhelmed with changes to work, school, shopping and other activities. While it may seem like there is nothing you can do, don’t hesitate to reach out to family and friends, or supports and resources in the community. Taking a break and engaging in a different activity to change your focus (like meditating, completing a game or puzzle, or taking a walk outside) can also make a difference.