How To Make Social Distancing More Fun
Whether we like it or not, social distancing is something we all have to do for the foreseeable future. Despite this new norm, the 6 feet of distance should not keep you from keeping things fun or at the very least tolerable. Here are some tips for keeping things enjoyable while still being physically apart from other people.
Virtual hangouts
Times like these are when we realize just how much we rely on technology for entertainment, information and above all communication. Thankfully, social distancing doesn’t mean we have to completely cut ties with the outside world. Texting your friends might be more convenient but there’s something special about hearing or even seeing your friends face while you are talking to them. Try giving a friend a call or video chat just to talk and see how they are doing. It could make a big difference to someone if you check in on them in the midst of the weird times we are all living in. You could even schedule a regular day or time to talk with a friend or even a group. In times like these, the more is truly the merrier!
Virtual concerts
Times like these are tough for everyone, especially artists and regular concert-goers. Without the rush of going to a concert or music festival and seeing your favorite artists perform live in front of your own eyes, it can be pretty disappointing. The next best thing is to watch concerts from the comfort and safety of your home. With social media acting as a unifying platform, artists are taking to live broadcasts to perform in place of an actual in-person concert. Even looking online for a full-performance that was pre-recorded can be a fun way to watch your favorite artist perform and pretend that you were there too. While not ideal, it’s the best we can have right now. Plus, these intimate performances can be fun to watch as they come from an unconventional setting. Honestly though what isn’t unconventional about these days? Plus, these concerts allow you to watch these artists without even leaving your home.
Party for one
For those missing the late nights out and having some resemblance to social life, all hope is not completely lost. You could bring the club home while also social distancing with a living room dance party. Create your ideal playlist full of bangers and bops and turn the speakers up and get ready to cut loose. Hopefully, your neighbors will not mind. The best part is that you don’t even have to worry about anyone watching, you can literally dance like nobody else is watching. It will be just like going to a club except much less crowded and definitely not as expensive. Although if you do miss that social component of going out, call your friends on a FaceTime call or video chat and have them join in virtually. If you are concerned about being too loud, you can always do a “silent disco” where you play the music in your headphones so it only plays for you. Feel free to sing at the top of your lungs.
Get outdoors
While it can be easy to feel like you are forced to stay indoors while social distancing, you are actually not limited to your house when it comes to how you spend your days. Especially with spring inching closer and closer, you can get a breath of fresh air instead of being cooped inside for days on end. Of course, you can only do so as long as you are responsible by maintaining six feet of distance between anybody else who also just might be outside. This is why it’s better to avoid public places where there would normally be people walking around. It’s better not to risk it, so try going to parks or trails where you can be sure to have plenty of wide-open space. Walk, run, ride a bike, there are endless choices for still getting outside even under quarantine.
Binge-watch/read
You might be feeling like you have a lot of free time on your hands. Without a morning commute to work or class, the days really seem to be wide open. If you have been feeling like you need a break from life just for a few hours, you can use this time to fall in love with a new book, TV or movie series. Let’s be honest, there’s bound to be a series that everyone seems to be talking about or one that it seems like everyone has already watched. Now you can feel as though you are in the loop by binge-watching the latest series or one from years ago that slipped through the cracks. Who knows? Maybe you’ll discover a new series you are passionate about while under quarantine. If this time of social distancing is a time to pause and catch up, why can’t the same principle can also be applied to the media? Plus you can always text your friends that you are caught up and ready to discuss.
Explore the world…virtually
Everyone wants to travel more. Having the chance to go somewhere brand new and explore an entirely different culture firsthand can be an incredible experience. Yet, the new guidelines say that we should not be traveling anytime soon unless it is necessary to travel. Spring break does not exactly qualify as necessary travel, sadly. We can still find ways to experience the world with a bit of creativity and a stable internet connection. There are plenty of virtual tours of cities and landmarks all over the world that you can experience from home. From overhead footage shot from a drone to walking tours through cities, you can still have the experience of leaving your home for hours at a time. We know it’s not the exact same thing, but it’s the best we can do right now with cities and buildings under lockdown. Although this kind of travel is free, so you just might want to consider doing it more often.
