Ways to Stay Healthy and Social in a Pandemic Winter
Now that the holidays have passed, many of us naturally feel a little down. We missed socializing with loved ones and friends this season, and now we have to go through the rest of winter like this? We’ve written about how isolation increases negative feelings of depression and anxiety, but what can you do to help yourself and stay healthy?
Well, you’re not as trapped as you think. Humans are resilient and creative beings and hey, where there’s a will there’s a way. Resist the urge to go into a Netflix coma for the winter and get creative to have safe human contact.
Get on your winter gear! It is cold, but if you have the right winter clothing you can brave the elements even for an hour a day. Going for a walk, run, bike, or taking your dog to the park are all ways for you to get out and socialize while being active. Scheduling a routine socially distanced dog walk, stroll through the park, morning jog or walk with the kids/grandkids will allow you to get out, clear your head, breathe some fresh air and feel connected with nature. Invest in a good winter coat, hat, gloves, warm shoes and some fleece pants and you’ll be ready to rumble! Plus you will feel pretty proud of yourself for braving the elements.
Try “podding” with a small group of local friends or another family. Podding is something that people start this year. You identify a small local group of friends or a family and agree to shared safe covid-19 reduction practices, and have routine get-togethers. Socializing at all of course increases risk, but it can be mitigated or at least reduced by responsible behavior. Often you might find yourself working harder to avoid risky behaviors because of the fear of infecting others. The members of your pod will all understand the inherent risk, but they will also make sure to be extra careful to keep one another safe. Keep your pod small and routine. If you’re being extra cautious people can wear masks, sanitize at the door and sit 6 feet apart. This could make the winter isolation more bearable.
Have you ever been in a long-distance relationship? Well this might be a good time to share your skills and dust off the playbook on distance relationships this winter. You’re now in a long-distance relationship with everyone. You can of course continue zoom calls, phone calls, facetimes, but maybe we go analogue and start writing letters, sending care packages and sending pictures. Now that the postal system is a bit more stable after the holidays, you can send all your love in a thoughtful little care package. Send a book you read, a scarf you knitted, pictures from your last trip, something you know your friend will love. Think about this as a way to be thoughtful with your interactions with friends and family members. The heartfelt things always mean more.
Share your memories! Whether in a digital or print format, you and your family can go through old photos and compile them into a book, slideshow, movie, or whatever else will help you share them with other family members. You can do this with your friends too! As a holiday gift I compiled photos from a big trip and gifted them in a collage frame with an explanation of where each thing took place and the stories that went along with it. We don’t have to wait for special occasions to reminisce and share memories, if anything, we could all use this emotional pick-me-up right now. This is an especially lovely activity for younger generations to connect with grandparents, aunts and uncles. Go through photos, ask about the stories and share a laugh, cry, smile, while learning about each other. That’s human connection at it’s finest.
Enough talk, let’s do something! In a recent visit with friends (socially distanced) over the holidays, we agreed to a virtual cooking night twice a month. Your zoom calls don’t have to be just that, get creative! You can set a routine zoom cooking night where everyone follows a recipe, get the ingredients in advance and cooks together with a nice bottle of wine (or not.) If you’re not the cooking together type, you can simply have a virtual dinner and eat together. You can watch a movie too! Agree to a movie, set up your streaming service and zoom call each other while watching the movie.
Use your technology to challenge each other! If you’re an active person, using apps like Strava, Nike Run Club, or FitBit allows you to connect with friends virtually and track each other's progress. You can also issue challenges to each other or, you can do the activities of choice at the same time. Mindfulness meditation and other mental health activities can be done this way too! You can agree to meditate for 5 minutes “together” and then discuss how it was for you at the end. You could even sign up for a virtual 5k and participate with a community of runners/walkers looking for the same thing as you, some connection and motivation.
Although volunteering in person has become a bit tough and risky, there’s still ways to give to others and connect with people in need. It’s not selfish, but it is scientifically proven that giving to others improves our own self worth and happiness. The best thing is that everyone benefits! If you are looking for satisfaction, to feel like you’re actually “doing” something for others or maybe want to give it a try, you can reach out to your local food pantry as a start. Many people are food insecure due to the pandemic. Your small donation of canned goods, dry goods, or whatever the pantry needs will make a huge difference in the lives of your less-fortunate community members. Looking for something more formal? Check out this list of United Nation Volunteer opportunities, reach out to local non profits or simply speak with community members to come up with your own project.
Donate! Not just your time or canned goods, but your old clothes! Many of us found ourselves with new clothing over Christmas. If you are going to get rid of those old pants, that shirt with the little hole, that sweater with the pull, think about where you’re going to send them. You could organize a clothing drive with some neighbors, friends, or family and donate your used clothes to the local pantry, shelter, Salvation Army, or other local organizations.
Do you have some ideas? How are your family, friends, neighbors combating isolation for the winter? Please write to us and share your ideas!
Source: https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2021/01/01/950092678/dont-let-the-pandemic-winter-get-you-down-9-creative-ways-to-socialize-safely