Nurturing Connections During Social Distancing

Building Stronger Connections at a Distance

Social Distancing is a phrase that many of us have never even heard of until recently.  Being socially responsible during a pandemic can feel incredibly isolating and it can seem almost impossible to continue nurturing relationships with the people around us.  Nurturing relationships during this time is not only possible but may be an opportunity to show friends, families and neighbors how much you really care.

Here are a few ideas to try and to share:

• Create groups for conversations with platforms like Zoom, Teams and Skype, to name a few. Many of these web-based conferencing tools are available for free and can be easily downloaded to your computer and/ or cell phone.  These tools provide opportunities to touch base by audio and/ or video with family and friends at set times throughout the week. You can even invite several people at once!
• Create text groups to check in with family, touching base with each other daily in order to ensure everyone is feeling well and is not in need of food or supplies, especially those family members that live alone or are elderly.
• Check in with a phone call or text with elderly parents, family members and/ or neighbors to see if anything is needed. If you are going out to the grocery store, check with them to see if you can pick something up for them.  This is also a great way to nurture relationships with neighbors that you may not know very well.
• If you belong to a faith community reach out by phone or text to those in that community to offer support and encouragement. This will make them feel loved and cared for and goes a long way in nurturing relationships.
• If you have friends and or family members that are out of work right now, offer to share some supplies or a meal with them and leave them at their front door.

Anytime we reach out to those around us even if it’s just to say, “Hi, I was thinking about you” it can go a long way in building closer connections with those around us.

Article written by Anna Diaz, M.S., LAMFT., M. Th.
Child & Family Therapist, Christian Family Care