A lot of us thrive from human connection. So, all of this time at home, away from those we love and socially distancing from everyone we come into contact with, has been a challenge for many.
And while the world starts opening up and the rules gradually relax, many people may continue to work from home. With social interaction allowed and venues, theatres and restaurants back open, it may not feel as daunting.
But working in the same spot that we eat, relax, and sleep may still cause lasting problems.
So, we have compiled a list of the best ways to feel more connected to people and maintain relationships with colleagues, friends, family, and your community, when you are working from home.
Virtual dinner dates
Cook or order the same dinner and all eat together over video. Dressing in fancy clothing, playing nice music and lighting candles can help to create a nice atmosphere and make a normal evening more exciting.
Movie nights
Pick a movie to watch with a group of friends or family and click play at the same time. You can all get the same snacks and drinks and watch something you haven’t seen before to make it feel like more of an event.
On a similar note you could get tickets to online events, conferences, concerts or theatre productions. This is a great way to keep up with other interests and bond with others over shared passions.
Connect with like-minded people. In a time where we are all online more than ever, finding people who share similar interests has never been easier. It could not only help you make friends but may also lead you to plan trips together when we can finally go out.
Online games
We may be tired of weekly quizzes but there are so many online games that can help us keep in touch with loved ones. This is a fun and interactive way to connect and online board games can be fun for people of all ages.
Make plans
With the end of lockdown somewhat in sight it can be fun to hypothetically plan holidays or events. Talk about dream tips and decide where you would go, what you would do and where you would stay. This will give you all something to look forward to when we are allowed to go away again and can bring some positivity while things still seem bleak.
Schedule calls
Spontaneous phone calls can be fun, but more often they are quite stressful and unnerving. Make sure to plan phone or video calls with family, friends and work colleagues to keep in touch with each other and stay connected. Planning specific times into your week allows for some certainty and structure while also allowing you to have control over your time.
Book clubs
Form an online book club with people you work with, this could help you get to know your colleagues better and will give you things to talk about outside of work. Setting aside time to read can also be really beneficial in improving mental health.
Communicate
It’s not only about having fun and playing games. Sometimes it is important to have open and honest conversations with the people in your life, giving you a safe space to talk out any stress or anxiety you may be feeling and also supporting others.
Group calls while you work
For some people, having company during work is important. So you could video call friends or colleagues while you all work to feel connected. Hearing others working and typing can give you a morale boost and improve your mood.
Have an accountability friend
Pairing up with people to check in on each other can help motivate you and their encouragement will make you feel proud of your achievements.
But most importantly make sure to take care of yourself. Although it is important to connect with people, it is also important to do things that make you feel good.
Having alone time is equally important to connect with ourselves and our emotions, so take time to focus on things that you enjoy, that make you happy and that relax you.
