Staying connected to other people is good for your health and well-being. If you are spending more time at home, it can be challenging to keep in touch with friends and family. Whether you want to stay in touch with old friends, make new friends, or get more in-tune with yourself, a few simple steps can help you get the social connection you would like.
1. Use FaceTime for More Face Time
Thanks to technology, you don’t have to be physically present with your loved ones to show you care. Grab your phone and use FaceTime or other mobile video call applications to catch up with your friends. Schedule one on one and group hangouts via FaceTime to have a virtual happy hour or lunch date with your friends. If you’re working remotely and want to see your colleagues face to face, try applications like Zoom.
2. Find Ways to Bond with Your Family
Take advantage of any time the whole family can be together. Use this time to cook meals together, try DIY arts and craft projects, have family game nights, and just spend quality time together. If you have kids, spend time with them doing STEM projects or reading as fun activities to keep their brains active even when they’re not at school.
3. Create a Routine for Working From Home
If you’re new to working from home, it can take some time and practice to get adjusted. Make working remotely work best for you by giving yourself a routine. Create a designated workspace, set expectations with your family, get the tools you need, and minimize distractions.
To stay connected with your coworkers, reach out to them throughout the day via email, messaging apps, or schedule 1:1 video conference meetings. Check out more WFH tips here.
4. Connect With Yourself And Manage Your Stress Levels
It’s essential to stay connected to yourself and protect your mental health while at home. Try at-home exercises, meditation, or journaling to avoid the feeling of isolation. Maintaining a daily schedule will help reduce stress. Set a daily wake-up time and specific times for work, meals, household tasks, and activities you enjoy. Keeping a consistent daily routine will go a long way with managing your well-being and keeping your stress at bay.
5. Stream An Online Class You’re Interested In
Having extra time at home means you can learn a new skill. Want to learn a new recipe? Take an online cooking class. If you’re looking for a new workout routine, there’s plenty of free exercise videos online. If you’re interested in brushing up on your art schools, give a virtual drawing class a try. You can find free courses from a range of places, like the YMCA and even Harvard.
6. Reach Out to Loved Ones
Give your friends and family a phone call to catch up and ask how they’re doing. Even a quick text to a friend each day will help you feel more connected. Consider picking up a pen and paper and writing a letter to someone you haven’t talked to in a while. A handwritten letter is a great way to maintain social connections and is a meaningful gesture that will be appreciated because of the effort put into it.
7. Stay Active in Online Communities
Social media sites can make it easy to reconnect with old friends or make new ones. Research has shown that having more friends in your social network may make you feel more supported and could result in less stress. If you’re not interested in social media platforms, join an online community dedicated to one of your hobbies or interests, like mom blogs or fitness message boards.
Related Resources on Staying Connected
For even more inspiration on how you can stay connected while staying at home, make sure to visit our related resources below:
