5 Ways to Survive Social Distancing
No one knows for sure how long the Coronavirus pandemic will affect people’s daily lives. Most experts agree that Coronavirus will stick around until a vaccine is released, which could take a year or longer. Much like the common flue, it could even come back in waves every year. In any case, it is certainly impacting the lives of millions now and will continue do to so for the foreseeable future.
One of the biggest changes that came with Coronavirus was social distancing. In essence, social distancing simply means limiting physical contact with others by isolating yourself, avoiding crowds, and maintaining a distance of at least 6 feet from other people. If enough people practice social distancing, the virus will spread much more slowly, thereby decreasing the strain on medical personnel and resources.
That said, social distancing is not always as simple as it sounds. Some people don’t have the option to take time off work or work from home, which makes it difficult to avoid other people. Others struggle with mental illness or physical disabilities which makes isolation difficult and in extreme cases, life-threatening. However, for the majority of Americans, social distancing is simply uncomfortable.
So, what can you do to survive social distancing during the Coronavirus pandemic?
Keep yourself entertained
Before the Coronavirus struck, you may not have had enough time to sit down and binge-watch a TV series. Take this opportunity to go through all of the movies and TV shows in your streaming queue. This will help pass the time and keep you entertained while you practice social distancing. If you’re in a region that doesn’t allow certain streaming services, consider getting a VPN that will give you access to thousands of new titles, and countless hours of entertainment.
Keep in touch with loved ones
Physical isolation does not mean that you need to be emotionally isolated as well. This is a stressful time for everyone and keeping in touch with your loved ones promotes good mental health. So, if you’re stuck in your house or apartment with no one to talk to, pick up the phone, open up your messaging apps, or start a video chat with friends or family members.
Find a new hobby
Is there a hobby that you’ve been wanting to pick up for a while? Well, now is the perfect time to do it. Social distancing means less access to other people. Though this is naturally a drawback, it also frees up your time for solo-activities and hobbies like scrapbooking or video games.
Learn a new skill
Sometimes social obligations can take away from the time you spend learning new things. Whether you want to knit sweaters or write computer code, there are tons of ways to be productive and have fun at the same time. Social distancing does not have to be a barrier to self-improvement, so take this opportunity to look for new skills that you can add to your resume.
Practice Mindfulness
Finally, it’s important not to let the stresses of the outside world get you down. Many people get a lot of benefits from activities like low-impact exercise, yoga, and meditation. These kinds of activities can help you stay mentally focused and emotionally centered during the Coronavirus pandemic.
