Reconnecting after Coronavirus

The coronavirus pandemic has changed the way we spend our lives, at least until a vaccine has been developed. The pandemic has forced us to follow restrictions and social distancing norms. This has taken a tremendous toll on our mental health. After all, social interactions are vital for having a sense of love and belongingness for us. And staying at home has taken that away from us.

In fact, there has been a 20% rise in the number of mental health issues during the lockdown, according to a study by the Indian Psychiatry Society. Isolation is one of the main reasons for this spike. Apart from this, the pandemic has also made us susceptible to fearful and angry behavior. This is also linked to being alone during such a volatile time.

But this mental health crisis has also made us realize how important it is to stay connected with our friends and family. This also means that we should make more effort to figure out ways to stay connected. Although we might not be able to go back to our old ways in the near future, it does not mean that no steps can be taken for reconnecting after coronavirus has been brought under control. Here are some things that can help in socializing after the lockdown.

Make Pedestrian and Cycle Friendly Spaces

Public space designers in India seem to forget that there are a large number of people who walk or cycle. And thus, the urban spaces are filled with roads only fit for motorized vehicles. Instead, there should be more emphasis on roads with designated spaces for pedestrians and cyclists. You might be thinking how this could help you to socialize post lockdown. This provides an avenue for people to continue with their physical and social exercises even if gyms are closed. And if there is sufficient space, people would also be able to maintain social distancing. This can be a great step for ensuring mental well-being.

Improve Internet Connectivity

Staying connected with your loved ones is vital for mental health. But, not all kinds of communication are equal. Text messages or social media might be extremely convenient, but a video or phone call are much better options. Even one of the most important quarantine tips is to schedule video or audio calls with loved ones, as this produces the same levels of cortisol as when meeting them face to face. There are plenty of apps available for this, such as WhatsApp, Skype, Facebook Messenger, Zoom and Facetime.

The improved video connectivity would also allow people to share fun activities together when stepping out is not possible. You can have a video gathering of your friends and family, and play fun games and puzzles together, which can be great for reconnecting after coronavirus, in case you cannot meet them. Or you can have an online book club, where you read books and talk about them on video conferencing apps. Zoom is quite useful for such purposes. But if you want your meetings to go on for more than 30 minutes, you would have to get the paid version. There are also substitutes for movie hall. Netflix Party allows you to watch movies with friends and family. You can watch the same show or movie at the exact same time.

Apart from these, having more peer support groups can help in socializing after COVID.