How to Stay Healthy and Connected
Mental Health: a person’s condition regarding their psychological and emotional wellbeing
One’s mental health is important because it helps us handle stress, make friends, and make everyday decisions. One way to maintain your mental health is positive social interaction.
However, between covid-19, social distancing, and shutdowns, it has been very difficult for everyone to stay connected this year. People who are socially isolated tend to experience more difficulties with their mental health than those who are social with others on a daily basis. (Matthews, 2015). It is extremely important for us to put in the effort to try to stay connected to help our mental health and physical wellbeing. Here is a list of 10 easy ways to stay connected and improve your mental health during quarantine.
Call or Facetime Friends and Family
Texting and snapchat are great ways of communicating, however actually speaking to someone and/or seeing their face will make you feel even more connected. Being able to actually hear someone’s voice and see their face may make it seem as though you are actually in the same room as them.
Exercise Outside while Social Distancing
Who says you have to be lonely when you exercise during quarantine? Why not do a workout with your friend in the park! As long as you and your friend are able to stay 6 feet away from each other, you are good to go!
Participate in Virtual Group Exercise Classes
There are many virtual classes from Dance to Pilates, to High Intensity Interval Training available to the public. You may have to do a little research on Facebook, Instagram, and/or the internet. But there are many out there. These are fun because it is usually held over zoom or something similar so you can see the instructor and everyone else attending the class.
Yard Get Together
If you want to hang out with your friends or neighbors, you still can! Just bring the hangout outside where you can social distance 6 feet or more. One idea is having a neighborhood get together where everyone brings their lawn chairs into the street or yard and socializes while maintaining 6 feet distance.
Netflix Party
Google Chrome has an extension you can download onto your computer which allows you and your friends to watch the same movie or show at the same time and be able to chat about it! Although this isn’t the same as watching a movie with all of your friends physically in the same room, it is a great alternative.
Combined Spotify Playlist
Spotify (a music app) also allows people to co-create a playlist with their friends. This allows all of your friends to all collab on one playlist to create an amazing playlist.
Self-Care
Make sure you are also taking care of yourself during quarantine. This may mean drinking enough water, getting plenty of exercise, and making sure to go outside and get some fresh air each day.
Get Off of Your Phone
This may seem contradicting to staying connected with others, but sometimes your phone can be distracting and bring your mood down with all of the negativity on social media. Sometimes it is good to set your phone aside and live in the moment. Whether that means going on a walk outside, interacting with the people you live with, or playing an instrument.
Keep a Normal Routine
Your mental health and productivity during the day will be better if you stick to a schedule. This may mean waking up at a similar time each day, getting dressed, and eating meals around the same time each day. Doing this will help to get your mind and body into a routine which will help you to be happier and healthier.
Live Stream Concerts and Other Events with Friends
Plan ahead of time to have a group of friends all watch a live at home concert while each of you are at your own homes. This way you can all talk about the same concert or even while still social distancing.