If you polled each one of my friends, they would likely say I am introverted and awkward around in new situations.  For me, it’s about creating safety and acceptance and when that’s missing, I am definitely awkward. While it takes me time to warm-up, this past year and a half of social distancing has helped me realize that even though I like my alone time I also deeply crave connection and being with my closest friends and family.  With cases rising in the area, we may be limiting our face to face interactions with our friends, family, colleagues, or work-out buddies. This can be tough for the introvert or the extrovert, for the person who is experiencing anxiety/depression, for the person who recently experienced a loss and for the person who is generally feeling overwhelmed with everything that’s going on.  Here are some helpful tips for staying connected with the people in your life during this difficult time.

Find a platform that helps you stay connected 

Set up a virtual game night, family dinner, a virtual happy hour, or a distant celebratory party.  Apps like Houseparty, Zoom, and FaceTime can support these. One night we had eight people in a room on house party and spent an hour playing games which ended up being a lot of fun.  Another night a friend who was more tech savvy had us playing an interactive game on Zoom. These great apps make all these things possible.

Keep up your workout routine

If working out at the local gym was part of your daily routine, keep it up.  Things don’t need to change just because you can’t physically be in the gym. Most gyms have set up Zoom meetings or workouts using Houseparty, where several members can workout at the same time to keep each other encouraged and accountable.  You may not feel super comfortable working out on video but focus more on the connection than the video itself.  

Check up on your friends and colleagues 

Create group chats and schedule meetings to check in.  Everyone is experiencing this pandemic differently, so checking in on your friends to offer an ear or support could be helpful and it ultimately keeps you connected.

So, all-in-all, I think it’s clear that being connected is the ultimate goal in a time when we can’t physically be in the same place.  It’s easy to feel alone at a time when we are being told to stay distance. While logically we understand why it’s important, it doesn’t mean we don’t feel lonely and crave being with the people most important to us.  I encourage you to get creative, download some apps, and get connected.

For support throughout this time, reach out to Stephanie Savo via our website at www.caringtherapistsofbroward.com/staff/meet-stephanie-savo-lmhc

Stephanie Savo is a licensed mental health counselor and anxiety therapist in Davie who has been practicing therapy since 2008. She graduated with her Master’s in Mental Health Counseling from Nova Southeastern University. Stephanie has experience working with adolescents and young adults. She has been working with adolescents and young adults who experience depression, anxiety, trauma, low self-esteem and worth, lack of identity and individuality, and who want to be empowered.