Stay Socially Connected While Physically Distanced
Date Posted: September 15, 2020
Posted In: COVID-19 Updates, Ideas,
From The St. Louis American: If you feel that time has been moving at a different pace during the coronavirus pandemic, it seems you’re not alone. A study published last month in the journal PLOS ONE found that most respondents to a questionnaire reported experiencing a distorted sense of time during lockdown. For some, days and weeks seemed to pass more quickly than normal. For others, more slowly.
Dr. Graham A. Colditz
One factor that was linked to perception of time was participants’ satisfaction with their levels of social connection. Those who reported being more satisfied with their social interactions felt time moved faster during lockdown. Those who reported being more dissatisfied felt time moved slower.
This is one example of how social connections may affect our experiences during this prolonged disruption to our daily lives. And while it’s too early to know for certain how the pandemic has influenced the long-term mental and emotional health of people, we do know that – outbreak or not – most people generally do better when they have regular social connections and social support. We are social animals, after all.
So, as the pandemic continues to stretch on and physical distancing, work from home and other stay-safer guidelines remain in place for many parts of the country, it can be important that we also keep working to stay socially connected – safely. Below are suggestions for staying in touch with family and friends.
Keep it virtual. The safest way to socialize remains virtual, connecting through our phones and computers. That can be frustrating to read, but it’s likely to be especially important as the weather turns cold and we spend more time indoors, where we know the virus spreads much more easily.