We all know the importance of social distancing to help stop the spread of the coronavirus. But when you are away from work for months, away from family and friends, and away from our usual social activities, you can feel increasingly stressed and isolated. We understand that this current reality won’t last forever, but it can be difficult not knowing when things will get back to normal.
Now more than ever, it’s important to find ways to reconnect with people for emotional support in uncertain times, even if we have to find creative, socially-distanced ways to do it.
Here are five ways to reconnect with people for emotional support in uncertain times.
- Host a virtual dinner party or happy hour via video chat. Some popular options right are Zoom, HouseParty, or Google Hangouts. And the best part is there’s no cover charge.
- Chat with an old friend. What better time than now than to reach out to that former college roommate you haven’t talked with for years? Hop on a video call, or open up an email, and use your unexpected free time to reach out and say hi.
- Play games virtually. Apps like HouseParty make it easy to play a game of trivia or Chips and Guac (similar to Apples to Apples) with a group of friends. But if you want to get creative or wild, you can also try to set up a game of virtual beer pong.
- Enroll in an online class. Not only do you have the time right now, but you may be able to afford it, as many institutions – from Ivy League schools to the General Assembly – are offering free online courses. Not only will you get to learn or brush up on a new topic, hobby, or skill, but you’ll also have the chance to make connections with other students in your online course. You can find over 28 online courses being offered for free during the coronavirus pandemic here.
- Taking care of your mental health is crucial is also important. Whether you’ve tried therapy and are looking for an online option or never tried therapy before, there are many teletherapy options. If you have a therapist, ask them about their online choices. If you don’t, services like BetterHelp, Talkspace, and Larkr, apps that are specifically designed for online therapy.
While you continue to find new and creative ways to reconnect with friends and loved ones for emotional support in uncertain times, don’t forget that you can also support your mind and body through nutrition and supplements. For supplements specially formulated to help support a positive outlook, Protocol for Life Balance, Vitanica, and NOW Foods offer products that may support a healthy mood.
Protocol for Life Balance
Along with video chats, try incorporating Myo-Inositol Powder from Protocol for Life Balance into your daily routine. Myo-inositol is a vitamin-like compound that supports metabolism and also a healthy brain and central nervous system. It’s a versatile nutrient for the promotion of emotional and mental wellness, healthy eating patterns, and restful sleep.
Vitanica
After your next virtual game night, try Mood Tonic Peach from Vitanica. This synergistic botanical blend seeks to support a positive mood and temporary relief from occasional agitation, tension, and stress. Mood Tonic Peach uses a combination of St. John’s Wort, lemon balm herb, passionflower, Rhodiola root, and stevia leaf extract to create a fun and tasty way to support a positive mood. St. John’s Wort is an herb commonly used to help support a positive mood; passionflower and lemon balm are often used in traditional medicine to promote feelings of calm, and Rhodiola root works to support endurance across many of the body’s health systems.
NOW Foods
And finally, after sending a handwritten card or thoughtful email to a friend, try 5-HTP 50 Mg from NOW Foods. Extracted from the seed of an African plant (Griffonia simplicifolia), 5-HTP is the intermediate metabolite between the amino acid L-tryptophan and serotonin, and it is often used as a natural way to help support a positive mood.
What ways have you found to reconnect with people for emotional support in uncertain times?