4 Ways to Stay Social (From a Distance)

All around the world, social distancing has become a common phrase. Social distancing means staying at least six feet away from other people and avoiding the gathering of people in areas like churches, public transportation, schools, and concert halls.

Of course, while social distancing is necessary right now, it can take a toll on your mental health. However, there are measures you can take to cope, ensuring that you stay social, even if you must stay at a distance.

1 – Try Playing Online Games with Friends
Luckily, all the available technology today makes it easy to stay social and have some fun. Online games make it easy to have fun and connect with other people. In fact, many have them include social media integration (particularly Facebook) so you can play with your friends and family. You’ll have the chance to enjoy some friendly competition and many games have chat features so you can chat while you play.

2 – Use Video Chat for Virtual Face-to-Face Interaction
Even though most face-to-face interaction is minimal right now, you can still get some face time with friends and family via video chat. Options like Facetime, Facebook Messenger video calls, and Skype video calls make it quick, easy, and free to have a virtual face-to-face chat so you don’t feel so alone, even if you’re stuck at home all the time.

3 – Stay Connected to Colleagues with Technology
Many people are working from home now, which means you might not be getting that social interaction you’re used to with your colleagues. However, technology makes it easy to connect with people you work with via apps like Slack. Not only can you chat with each other, but it makes file sharing and staying on top of projects a breeze while you’re not in the office.

4 – Find Support on Social Media
Social media may seem like a double-edged sword right now. It’s packed with dividing posts, and that can get overwhelming. However, it’s also a great place to find support. Facebook groups offer a great way to find support from others. Other Facebook groups let you chat and interact with people who have similar interests and hobbies. And of course, you can keep up with your friends and family members, too.