How successful are we at making social connections in this time of social distancing?

Today is a good a day to stop for a moment and reflect on how we have been coping with social-distancing and see if we want to make some changes in how we engage with others in the remaining time of social-distancing. Self-care and reflection are always important. In times of higher stress and uncertainty our self-care becomes increasingly important. So does reflection. It’s how we identify what we are doing well and what we need to change. The Brain and Behavior Research Foundation, BBRF, identified ways for us to maintain our mental health in this time of pandemic. I compiled some their tips and I offer this series of articles. I hope it will serve as a tool for reflection and a guide towards implementing the tips well while we are at home.

BBRF Tip 1: Remain connected despite keeping distance socially.

In the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation webinar presentation I mentioned in my previous post, Dr. Borenstein reminded us that social distancing doesn’t mean that you must totally isolate from people. In fact, he encouraged us to make extra effort to reach out. We can do this, thankfully, through the use of technology and some creative thinking.

An abrupt change to social distancing

I don’t know about you, but the declaration of a pandemic and the change to social distancing was so immediate and shocking for me that it’s taken a while to adjust. Is that you? It’s okay. That’s mostly why it’s taken me this long to publish anything and why I think it’s important to publish this series now. 

We’re a month or so into this and the lack of social contact is getting more and more difficult for a lot of people. I don’t know how much longer we will have to maintain our current level of social distancing or how social distancing might look in the days to come, but I offer the following questions as a starting place for assessing where we are right now in remaining connected to the people in our life. I offer these questions to prompt thoughtfulness on ways we can make adjustments to our socially distant social interactions moving forward.

Questions for reflection on how we are maintaining social connections

The main idea that I took away from Dr. Borenstein’s tip to remain connected was the encouragement to make extra effort to reach out during this time. I offer some questions for us to consider. It might help to write them down in a journal or in a word processing document for reference to later.

1)     Am I making extra effort for social connection? List those you have made extra effort to connect with. How has this impacted you positively? Who else can you reach out to?

For example: A group or friend you haven’t connected with in a long time, someone you don’t normally reach out to, or reaching out to someone in a different way.

2)     What am I currently doing to stay connected to family, friends, and coworkers? Is what I’m doing working or do I need to take away or add something to improve?

For example: Are you responding to people’s bids for attention? Read more about bids for attention.

3)     What can I do to improve my social interactions with those in my life after the social distancing comes to an end? Yes, social distancing will eventually stop. What are we learning about ourselves and our relationships during this time?

For example: Observations made on your social habits prior to social distancing. Changes you want to make moving forward.

I offer these questions as a way for us all to be reflective on what we are currently doing to remain connected despite keeping distance socially. I ask questions of you that I ask myself, and I hope it helps.

Previous Articles: Self-Care During COVID-19

Next article subject: BBRF Tip 2: Help a neighbor.