7 Ways of Coping with Social Distancing
With the rise of COVID-19, people all over the world are now faced with several new challenges; one of which is social distancing. While critical for slowing the rate of infection, avoiding all nonessential contact with family and friends is not something that comes naturally to most of us.
Human beings are, by nature, social creatures who are wired to seek-out connection with others. Indeed, it is our ability to connect, bond, and collaborate with others that have allowed us to survive and thrive as a species for many years.
So when circumstances prevent us from doing what comes naturally, there can be a toll on our mental health, and those who are already prone to problems with stress, anxiety, depression, loneliness, and substance use may find it particularly difficult.
So what can we do to help ourselves cope with the challenge of social distancing?
Below are some tips that might be useful:
1. Stay connected
It is important to make sure that social distancing doesn’t become social isolation. Of course, we can always phone and text one another, but there are also platforms such as FaceTime, Zoom, and HouseParty, which are a great way to help us stay in touch with loved ones. Make sure you schedule regular chats and make a commitment to keep checking in with one another on a daily basis. As a good friend of mine says, make every day an R U OK day.
2. Stay connected
Another great way to stay connected is to create shared experiences with friends and family by doing the same things. Try watching the same movie at the same time on Netflix, or perhaps you could read the same book and use it as a discussion point. Enjoying common experiences like this can help to facilitate a sense of connectedness with others.
3. Monitor your social media use
While there are many upsides to using social media, it’s important to be mindful that there can be downsides, too. It’s true that sharing positive moments with others can help amplify good feelings; however, if you tend to use social media as a means of social comparison, then you might find yourself feeling worse after use rather than better. So with that, it’s important to pay attention to the kinds of social media you find helpful versus the ones that trigger you. Be selective and choose wisely.
4. Practice gratitude
It might sound like an odd thing to say, but nothing is ever all good or all bad. It might be that working from home gives you more autonomy, or perhaps it’s nice to be free of the madness of getting everyone dressed, fed, and off to school every morning. Whatever your silver lining might be, take some time to notice it and appreciate it.
5. Acknowledge the bad with the good
While practising gratitude can be helpful, it’s important to recognise that this does not mean denying any negative feelings you might have. Although there might be some aspects to social distancing that are advantageous, there’s no getting around the fact that there are other aspects that just plain suck. Feelings of sadness, loss, and frustration are just some examples of an array of feelings that one might experience. Whatever it is, take some time to acknowledge it - it’s all ok.
6. Manage your news consumption
Some people might find it helpful to stay informed on COVID-19, but continual exposure to negative information can heighten your stress levels or leave you feeling down. It might be useful to set limits around how much news you consume on a daily basis and make sure you are getting your news from a credible source. Sites such as the Australian Government health alert and the World Health Organization offer reliable sources of information.
7. Stay connected
I know I’ve said it three times now, but it is really important to stay connected with others. If you find that you’re struggling to find people to connect with on a regular basis, or you feel yourself becoming anxious or down hearted, then consider enlisting the help of a psychologist. This can help alleviate the stress and loneliness of isolation. You can still attend sessions face-to-face for the time being or you can arrange regular sessions online if you prefer.
These are just some tips that I’ve put together to help you manage these incredibly challenging times. I hope you find it useful. For more helpful advice, visit the APS website and download the information sheets.
Keep well,
Dr Lisa
Author: Lisa Harris, PhD (Clinical Psychologist Registrar)
