How to Feel Connected to People When You’re Stuck at Home
Let's just say it like it is—things are crazy right now.
The coronavirus is practically the only thing anyone hears or talks about, and for good reason. In order to stop the ultra-fast spread of the virus, the people in charge have taken some pretty drastic measures to keep everyone safe.
Unfortunately, that probably means that you're stuck at home, with no one but your immediate family members to occupy your time. Although it's the right thing to do at this point, staying inside can also make you feel pretty lonely.
If you struggle spending so much time separated from people, keep scrolling for our tips on how to feel connected to others when you're stuck at home.
Talk to One Person Per Day
If you're stuck at home with nothing to do, it's so easy to accidentally cut yourself off from the world. You don't really think about texting and calling your friends on a daily basis, and it's hard to get out of that mindset when you're suddenly thrown into a quarantine situation. However, now's the most important time to put some real effort into your outside relationships.
While you're binge-watching TV and generally being lazy, try to reach out to at least one person per day. You can call them on the phone, or you can even send a meaningful text letting them know you're thinking of them. Not only will it keep your friendships close, but it will also ensure that you don't wake up in two weeks suddenly realizing that you haven't talked to anyone.
(via Shutterstock)
Lean Into Social Media
Normally, we're all trying to figure out how to spend less time on social media. But in a situation where you literally can't interact with anyone, social media will be your saving grace. Boost your activity on your favorite platforms during this rough time. Like your friends' posts, comment consistently, send memes—do whatever you can to interact with people in a way that goes beyond simply scrolling through new posts. It's not as good as hanging out with your friends in person, but it will still help you to feel connected to them during this crazy time.
Have Virtual Hangouts
Skype used to be the thing people used for video conferencing. Now, everyone is turning to Zoom or House Party to stay connected to one another while social distancing. It's basically the same idea—you can video chat with a group of friends and spend some quality time together, even when you're apart. While you're stuck at home, schedule virtual hangouts with your friends. Find a game that you can all play or just take an hour to get caught up on what everyone's been doing. It will help you feel like you're still seeing your friends consistently, even if you have to sit in front of your computer to have a chat.
Watch a Movie Together
It's emotionally draining to spend all your time on the phone talking to your friends. Sometimes you just want to chill and get lost in a movie, but you don't necessarily want to do it alone. In those situations, schedule a movie night with your besties. Using the Google Chrome extension Netflix Party, you can sync up your Netflix session with your friends. That way you can all watch something together. There's even a built-in chat box to discuss the film, or you can get on the phone to one another to hear each other's commentary. It takes the pressure off you to keep an interesting conversation going at all times, but it still allows you to hang out with your people.
(via Unsplash)
Bond With Your Family
For some of us, spending time with our family sounds like an actual punishment. But when you're in lockdown, you only have a few select people that you can lean on. Instead of ignoring your brood and hiding away in your room, try spending time with them. Even if they annoy you, they're still providing a bit of human interaction that will help to temper the loneliness. Who knows? You might even walk away from this situation with a closer relationship with the people in your house.
Reach Out to Your Friends
Part of connecting with other people involves having real, genuine conversations that go beneath the surface. Some of your pals are guaranteed to have a harder time with social distancing than others. Both for yourself and for them, try to reach out to your closest friends, simply to let them know that you're here for them during this time. They might say they're totally fine or they might take the opportunity to confide in you. Either way, you'll foster an emotional connection that will help you feel closer to those you love.
If you're looking for more advice on managing your important relationships, click HERE to learn how lowering your friend expectations might change your life.