We are all feeling isolated. Perhaps different degrees of isolation pending your individual situation, but isolation all the same.
It’s important to continue to support and take care of those people we care about even if we can’t be there physically. It’s equally important to take care of ourselves during these stressful times.
Here are 3 simple things you can do that will help to support others and yourself at the same time!
- Take a few minutes to think about all the people you’ve really liked in your life over the years (childhood friends, neighbors, work friends, etc). Then make a list of those people who you haven’t been in touch with in a very long time. Start going through your list and reach out to them! It can be a simple text or message – or you may even want to schedule a call to catch up! It will likely come as a big surprise to them to hear from you and will brighten both their day and yours as well!
- Exercise! Take a walk outside around your block and at the same time bring your phone and earbuds and call someone who makes you happy or someone you care about and have been thinking about reaching out to check in on them.
- Write down a list of your favorite books, tv shows or movies. Then share it with your friends and ask them to share theirs with you. For people who are isolating alone they are particularly lonely and they are looking for things to keep them busy. Perhaps you could then schedule a time to talk after they’ve read a book suggestion from you or watched a movie – and you can discuss it with them – talk about the funny parts, the emotional parts, just be there to talk to them so they don’t feel so alone.