Stay Social! Remotely

Kaylie Robertson

In this time of social distancing, staying connected is more important than ever. People are social by nature so being stuck alone without the interactions that we’re used to can be detrimental to our mental wellbeing.

We need social support. There are multiple different types of support that we benefit from. We hope to offer you mainly informational support and instrumental support by offering you advice, sharing information, as well as providing you with helpful resources*. We hope you benefit from this blog and that this supportive communication can help to ease your anxieties and stresses at this time. But there are other types of supportive communication you can find elsewhere. Types of support you can find from your friends and family are appraisal support and emotional support which provide new perspectives, care, and empathy.

But if we are social distancing how are you supposed to get this support that you need? Should you just risk it and see your friends in person because you miss them? No! I am here to give you some tips to stay connected from a distance. Keep your friends and family safe while receiving the social support you need with these tips.

• Zoom isn’t just for class. Miss your friends and Snapchat just isn’t cutting it? Have a zoom date! Go out for dinner with your friends from home. Start a zoom book club. Just hang out together, online.

• Need to talk to a professional? The UMaine Counseling Center’s doors may be closed but their zoom is open. Don’t feel like there’s no help available, because there is. If you need to, don’t hesitate to make an appointment. All of their contact information can be found in our resources tab. It’s important to take care of yourself during these times.

• Are you apart of any communities that have an online presence like a fan group, LGBTQ+ group, or any others that offer support? Now is the perfect time to be involved in the groups and communities that mean the most to you. Communities offer support, influence, and meaning-making according to Yamasaki (2017, p.254). Being more involved in a community can create a sense of belonging and identity which is great for your mental health.

Those are my three easy tips to stay connected during quarantine. I hope you found them useful. Do you have any other tips you think should be shared? Let us know! Stay safe and stay sane.

*Check out our resources tab for resources mentioned in the post, and more.

Yamasaki, J., Geist-Martin, P., & Sharf, B. F. (2017). Storied health and illness: communicating personal, cultural, & political complexities. Long Grove, IL: Waveland Press, Inc.