There are many aspects of social distancing that make life just a bit harder, but one that has had a large impact is the loss of contact with friends and family.  Having to break a routine of seeing those who we are close with every day is tough to do, but four years of having online friends have taught me you don’t always need to have face to face contact to still be close. With the growth in technology, there are more ways than you can think of to get your “social fix”, but here are a few ways that have worked for me over the years.

1. Call or facetime to check-in

It is important for your mental health that you do not totally isolate yourself through this time. Additionally, calling allows you to check-in and it is more personal than texting. Even if it is just a small five-minute call to talk about what you did today that is better than nothing. If you are the type of person who finds it daunting to ring a friend, you are not alone — but just think about how much better it is to hear your friend’s voice or to hear them laugh, rather than see “lol” pop up on your phone. Lastly, it can help you feel better to talk about how you are feeling while stuck at home —your friend doesn’t have to be across the country to have a different perspective than you! Share your emotions and be open to learning about them as well.

2. Watch movies together

Is there a movie you have been dying to watch, and now you finally have the time? What about instead of watching it alone, you set up with your friend a time where you both hit go at the same time! This gives you the chance to share this moment together, and it will provide you with a buddy to discuss your favorite scenes. If you would rather cut out the hassle of making sure you are at the same second as your friend, you can always try Netflix Party! Watching movies with my friends has given me something to do when I am bored, and it has helped us bond more.

3. Keep each other motivated

When you have a long to-do list, it can be scary to know when and where to start. Personally, I have found it helpful to call my friend as we both work. We can check-in and it keeps me on task. Additionally, when you both finish then you have more free time to talk. If you find it distracting to be on the phone while you are trying to do homework, then instead, set a timer for how long you will stay focused together! Knowing my friend is being productive helps me to stay motivated as well. Also, this does not have to be just about school work. Let us say you have been planning on doing some artwork but you just keep putting it off, it can be beneficial to have someone looking out for you as well. 

4. Find something you both want to try

Before last year I never would have thought about playing video games. But, my online friend really enjoys them so I got some so we could play together— this experience has been one of my favorite things. It gives us more to do together and it has given me the chance to try something new. There are many types of video games that fit all types of people so don’t feel scared to try something you haven’t before. Additionally, there are plenty of free games available that are just as fun so don’t allow money to stop you from giving video games a chance.

These are just a few things I have done to keep in contact with my friends when I can’t see them in person. I know it can be hard to be away from your friends, just know you don’t have to cut off communication with them! However, if you ever feel like you do need alone time, that is okay too! Just because you can talk to your friends on the phone every second of the day, does not mean you have to, pay attention to what brings you joy and chose what would best for you.