Managing Loneliness During Social Distancing

In the midst of one public health threat, we should not ignore a secondary one: Loneliness and social isolation take both a physical and mental toll. As noted by Scientific American, “the long-term harm caused by loneliness is similar to smoking or obesity.” 

Social distancing and quarantining are the correct responses to a pandemic, so how can we cultivate social well-being while in isolation? Kalsey Killam, a World Economic Forum Global Shaper who specializes in social health and well-being, offers these suggestions:
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• Face to face from afar: Video chat allows for facial cues, body language and other nonverbal forms of communication that are important for bonding. Try having a virtual meal with family, a happy hour with friends, or a remote book club meeting.

• One-minute kindness: Enjoy the dopamine rush that comes from doing something nice for someone else. For example, in lieu of simply “liking” a friend’s social media post, comment with a compliment or an expression of affection.  (Tweet it!)

• Cultivate your community: Whatever your “thing” is, there is an online community of people who share your passion. Tap into it to engage around what matters most to you.

• Deepen or Broaden Relationships: Take one digital action daily to enhance your social health. Deepen it by reaching out to someone you haven’t talked with extensively in a while, or broaden it by reaching out to someone you’d like to get to know better.

• Optimize Your Favorite Tool: Zoom, Marco Polo, House Party, Facetime, Skype, Google Hangout and other applications are wonderful for digital conversations. Discover which ones suit your needs best and explore their features. 

How have you been reaching out to others, and how have others been reaching out to you during this extraordinary time? To join the conversation, click "comments" above.

If you would like to learn more about creating a habit around masterful communication, check out our online learning programs.

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