Prevent Social Distancing From Becoming Social Isolation
To help stop the spread of COVID-19,
many employers are requiring their employees to work from home. States
across the country have also issued shelter-in-place and stay-at-home
orders in hopes of reducing group gatherings and to control the virus as
much as possible.
The concurrent practice of social distancing is essential in helping
to stop the virus. But without the ability to socialize, participate in
school and work activities, go to restaurants, and attend events, people
might feel social distancing is quickly turning into social isolation.
Here are some ways to counteract the digression:
Prioritize virtual connections
Office conversations, hallway chats, and breakroom banter—they’re all
typical in shared work environments. When those environments become
home offices, however, the connections fostered by these kinds of
communication can easily weaken.
Schedule video meetings or online chats with colleagues to preserve
the fun exchanges. Don’t set a formal agenda or specific purpose—just
focus on creatively maintaining interpersonal relations.
Share your working space
Remote workers may find the company of their colleagues in Zoom Rooms
an effective remedy to loneliness. These virtual office spaces allow
teammates to work together without the need to actively interact.
Zoom, Skype, and other online video conferencing tools let employees
across the globe gather with video on and sound off while they work on
their own tasks for the day. The intention isn’t to discuss projects,
but rather, to foster a sense of camaraderie that replaces the missing
office connections.
Use social channels to stay connected
Too much social distance can contribute to poor emotional or mental
health, and physical isolation can significantly worsen these concerns.
However, new technology is shortening the distance by allowing people to
stay connected in inventive ways.
The social messaging platform TikTok has seen an increase in new users during the past two months. And Netflix Party
is a recent addition that allows groups of friends to watch the same
movie or TV show, while allowing interaction and chat. Consider these
options and traditional social channels to interact with friends,
family, and coworkers.
Develop a routine when possible
It’s important to clearly separate work and home responsibilities,
especially if children are home from school. To reduce feelings of
becoming a shut-in, create a dedicated workspace and stick to normal
working hours. Close your computer at the end of the day, and don’t
return to the workspace until the following day. This routine will help
you avoid feeling endlessly trapped at work.
Protect your physical health
Keep up on health and wellness, while fitting in physical exercise to
reduce any anxiety and depression. Most gyms are temporarily closed,
but you can take streaming fitness classes and group exercises. Even online health portals can encourage activity among a group of employees while promoting a sense of community.
If your employer offers health coaching,
now is the perfect time to connect with a health coach. Technology has
helped people more easily access coaches—beyond the phone, with options
like video conferencing and direct messaging through wellness platforms.
They can offer personalized recommendations to keep participants
motivated and focused on their well-being during this trying time.
Working in a home office will continue to be the new norm for many
people during the COVID-19 pandemic. It may provide some comfort to know
that thousands of other people are going through the same transition.
By taking proactive steps to stay connected, prioritizing health and
well-being, and addressing states of isolation, you can come out of this
feeling more connected to each other than ever before.
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