Human beings need connections. It’s how we are built. Our brains need consistent bonding and nurturing, which we can only get from interacting with other people. But right now, this is a need that’s been put on the sidelines, as people’s ability to connect is limited by the distancing recommendations.
Some people are lacking in some of the most basic of activities, like going out with your family to dinner, hugging a dear friend, or having that first date which may end up in a first kiss. All of these things have been put on pause, and even if you didn’t realize before how much you need them, you are likely feeling the repercussions of being without them.
It’s perfectly normal because it is our nature. According to the psychiatric authors of A General Theory of Love, “We are attached to keep our brains on track.” Our brains actually link to the people close to us. To prove a point, they recount the story of Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II in the 13th century who deprived babies of any human interaction to see which language they would speak. He never got an answer, as all the babies died before they could ever speak.
What Can You Do?
Even if you’re an adult now, you will never outgrow the basic need for human connection and social interaction. Research has shown that loneliness and social isolation can increase your risk of premature mortality. They’re as bad for your health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day or having an alcohol use disorder are. This is an incredible discovery, and it just proves that we should focus more on how we form human connections, and nurture them.
And you can find ways to stay social even in the middle of a pandemic, where distance is the main safety recommendation. Even if your area is slowly opening up, you still may not feel 100% confident to just resume your life and social status. Every time you leave your home and get close to other people for social connections, there’s a risk of being infected, and there’s no way around that.
It’s easier to cope with being at home if you also have social outlets available to you there. And if you don’t know how to get in touch with these outlets, here are 4 great ideas to help you stay connected and sane during the pandemic:
- Work on Your Goals
Having a purpose in life keeps you grounded, and gives you something to look forward to for when things are safe enough to resume your normal activities. If you can, it would be a lot better to approach this time as a gift of having the chance to work on your goals. This way, you can remain positive and work toward something important in your life.
Is there anything you’ve wanted to do, but you never had time for? Well, now may be the time, whether your goal is connected to your career, your family, or even your love life. You can take online courses about this social component and develop new skills, or just join a group of like-minded people.
- Call People
Haven’t talked to your best friend in a while? Haven’t caught up with your childhood friend in years? Why not give them a call? Even if you have nothing major to talk about, staying in touch with people is a great way to remain engaged with the people in your life. Small talk helps you stay connected, even if we think of it as trivial and less important.
- Have Fun
Even if you live alone and want to keep your distance from people, there are still plenty of ways to engage and have fun. Things like a video game, or sharing silly videos to cheer someone up, are small things you can do to pass the time and stay connected to people. You can always find something to help make you laugh, and laughter really is an essential medicine in these times.
Just go on social media and see who’s up for a game. There’s always someone around.
- Experience Novelty
It’s always a great time to try something new. I’ve talked to a lot of people who are getting very bored these days because they feel they have a lot more time on their hands but don’t know what to do with it. But bringing something new in your life is a good cure for boredom.
What motivates you? What new things do you want to discover? Are you interested in learning some new dance moves, reading, or learning how to relax and recharge? If nothing comes to mind right away, you could work on finding out more about what your interests are.
There are a lot of resources out there to help you, from online book clubs, a class, or a YouTube channel to help you learn something about yourself.
Do you need more social interaction? If so, how do you plan on doing it? Let me know in the comments!
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