){kind=logo}
){kind=icon}
){kind=logo}
){kind=icon}
COVID-19, a disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, is not only threatening the physical health and lives of many people, but it is also affecting us emotionally. Upon its arrival, more and more countries suggest (or, in many cases, are imposing) social distancing among their citizens as a preventive measure to halt the contagion. Although this measure helps us to reduce the spread of the virus, it can cause loneliness and isolation, putting our mental health at risk.
It is just at moments like these when we need to strengthen human connections more than ever, even if they do not occur face-to-face. Elizabeth Dorrance Hall, Director of the Family Communication and Relationships Lab, points to the advantage that now we are more equipped than ever to maintain social relations remotely because technology helps people to stay close even in times of physical estrangement. To keep communication with family and friends, Dr. Dorrance recommends video calls. They are a great tool to stay connected and feel close despite the distance. Video allows us to see the nonverbal behaviors of the other person and gestures that by chat or voice message could not be perceived. Video calls also help us better understand the other person’s mood and establish more transparent and effective communication. Aspects such as tone of voice, personal gestures, and expressions are several of the elements that help us feel a closer connection to others that by text message we would not have.
In addition to video calls, Dr. Dorrance provides several tips to avoid feeling lonely during a quarantine:
-
Ask a friend or family member to watch the same tv series or movie at the same time. Discuss the film, exchange points of view, and make suggestions and recommendations for what to watch next.
-
In the case of having a distance relationship, plan dates with your partner for virtual meals together. Prepare the menu, open a bottle of wine, and watch each other on a video call to help feel more connected, despite the distance.
-
Join online communities with people who share similar tastes or hobbies. Facebook has many different groups for all kinds of interests, as well as specialized internet pages for fans of musical groups and enthusiasts of gardening, film, photography, or cooking.
-
Take advantage of the quarantine to learn something new and invite someone to join you, whether it is your partner, children, or a friend. Learning to knit or play an instrument can be an excellent time to connect.
-
Due to the quarantine, video call platforms like Zoom o House Party are becoming popular. They allow making group video calls, virtual parties, or even playing games together. They are also great tools for entertaining children; they can connect them with a friend or family member to tell them a story, teach them a magic trick, or just for talking.
Although technology can help us maintain communication with loved ones in times of social distancing, the uncertainty and anxiety caused by prolonged isolation can cause deterioration and strain on the relationships of those living in quarantine as a family, notes Dr. Dorrance. For this reason, we share below some tips for maintaining healthy family and friendship relationships, even in times of social estrangement.
Five strategies for maintaining quality relationships in times of social distancing
-
Positivity: Due to the constant bombardment of bad news about COVID-19, having positive, encouraging, and cheerful interactions with one another is more important than ever.
-
Openness: This means being open with others, discussing how we are dealing with the situation, and how we feel. Transparency also applies in the way we reveal ourselves to each other and the reactions we have while actively listening. We can demonstrate this by eye contact or by using nonverbal affirmations like nodding the head to show interest in their conversation and what they have to contribute.
-
Assurances: Many times, we take for granted that our loved ones know what they mean to us, and we do not express to them our feelings. In this time of social isolation, we must take the time to externalize how much we value the other person, even if it is our children, partner, or family members that we see every day.
-
Tasks: A relationship, whether romantic or friendly, involves two or more people, and all must share the responsibility of maintaining the connection. To improve communication, we can assign tasks to each other to keep the relationship going, such as who will talk, at what time, and on which platform. Doing this, says Dr. Dorrance, produces greater satisfaction because it avoids the situation where one party feels they are doing more than the other. If one side makes more effort to maintain communication in the relationship, this can lead to their feeling unvalued, or the other party might feel guilty that they do not contribute much to the relationship. Another way to stay positive could be planning together the activities to be done, such as online table games, or plan activities to do when the isolation is over.
-
Networks: This idea involves maintaining connections with friends and colleagues or even creating new relationships, whether by video call or private or group message, as well as connecting other people who have common interests. For example, a friend who has never done remote work can connect with that work colleague who has experience working from home, to support and guide the first in his adaptation.
What activities are you doing to maintain communication with your loved ones? Share your tips to stay positive in times of social distancing.
){kind=icon}
){kind=icon}
This article from Observatory of the Institute for the Future of Education may be shared under the terms of the license CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 
)