SOCIALLY CONNECTING WHILE PHYSICALLY DISTANCING SOCIALLY CONNECTING WHILE PHYSICALLY DISTANCING PHYSICAL DISTANCING VS SOCIAL When you DISTANCING understand that We are all familiar with the new term “social distancing” as a way to keep ourselves and our community safe during the COVID-19 being connected to pandemic. But, is it social distancing that we are really trying to others is one of life’s encourage, or is it physical distancing? From the Innovative LIFE Options perspective, we understand how important relationships greatest joys, you are and we believe social connection is what we need to realize that life’s encourage during this pandemic; alongside physical distancing. best comes when WHAT IS PHYSICAL DISTANCING? you initiate and It turns out we are not alone in the belief that we got off on the invest in solid wrong foot when coming up with the term social distancing. We are now seeing a push to change our wording and start using the relationships.” — phrase physical distancing. The government of Canada has even John C. Maxwell changed their resources to promote the new term, physical distancing. WHAT DOES PHYSICAL DISTANCING MEAN? PRACTICING PHYSICAL This means making changes in your everyday DISTANCING routines in order to minimize close contact with others, including: avoiding crowded places and non-essential gatherings greet with a wave avoiding common greetings, such as handshakes instead of a limiting contact with people at higher risk (e.g. older adults and handshake, a kiss or a those in poor health) hug keeping a distance of at least 2 arms lengths (approximately 2 stay home as much as metres) from others, as much as possible possible, including for meals and If possible, entertainment use food delivery services or online shopping shop or take public exercise at home or outside transportation during work from home off-peak hours conduct virtual Remember to: meetings host virtual wash your hands often for at least 20 seconds playdates for your avoid touching your face kids cough or sneeze into the bend of your arm use technology to keep avoid touching surfaces people touch often in touch with friends and family For more information on physical distancing please visit https://www.canada.ca/en/public- health/services/publications/diseases-conditions/social- distancing.html SOCIAL CONNECTION Great! Now that we all agree that physical distance, not social distance is what we need, let’s talk about social connection. Did you know those who live their lives in isolation, with few to no relationships, are more susceptible to significant health risks? On the other hand, relationships build self-esteem, they improve mental and emotional health and help you live a fuller life. Having relationships contribute to long, healthy, and happy lives. Therefore, social connections are what we need to be encouraging right now. How do we promote social connection and community engagement when we can’t leave our homes? This resource has been created to give you some ideas of how to encourage building relationships and staying connected. STAYING ENGAGED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY Just because we are practicing physical distancing, doesn’t mean we can’t find ways to engage in community. People can feel a sense of togetherness just by sharing in an interest or common theme. Helping others or asking for help reminds us we are not in this alone. Staying engaged builds community and helps us all grow stronger. WHAT CAN YOU DO? Sign up for Help Next Door Manitoba: Help Next Door Manitoba is a network of helpers coming together as a community. Sign up to be a helper or receive help here: https://helpnextdoormb.ca/ Organize a neighbourhood pod. Pods are neighbours who actively choose to stay involved in each other’s lives. Visit the link below to learn how you can set up your own neighbourhood pod. How to Start a Neighbourhood Pod: https://docs.google.com/document/d/17iMBTzaM4tPsUym- wyiEqOcOAiHVKiXN3XSjJ26TBKM/edit#heading=h.gdpwagieen0s Be a part of the care mongering movement. Drop off a card, supplies or a treat to a neighbour or a struggling caregiver. Create your own team or support network. Reach out to neighbours, family and friends and invite them to join your network. If you are struggling, assign roles and ask for help. Work on your front yard, be seen and let others know you see them too. Set up a table of supplies in your front yard to share with neighbours. Put up your Christmas lights and encourage your community to do the same. Go for a walk around your neighbourhood. Don’t forget to say hi to others! Wave at your neighbours when you see them. The practice of physical distancing can sometimes give the impression of pushing people away. Try to be more intentional in letting others know you see them, you miss them and you are glad they are here. Virtually start up a club or resume an existing club that stopped meeting. Set up a Zoom video call with your book club, cooking class, prayer group or card group… If you aren’t already, try joining different social media options. Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Linked In; these are all virtual ways you can connect with communities of interest and geographic communities, without leaving your own home. WHAT CAN YOU DO? CONTINUED Join your local community Facebook page or a community of interest Facebook page. Join the conversation Go live! Live stream yourself on Facebook. While streaming, go for a walk and invite friends to virtually join you or record yourself teaching a new skill for others to learn. We all have gifts to share and now is a great time to virtually share them with others. Join the Window Gallery movement and paint your front window – In Winnipeg you can find their Facebook page and a map of homes participating, under the name Winnipeg Window Gallery. Encourage your community to participate in a window theme like teddy bears or kids art. Go for a drive, make a game of it! Visit a different community and check out their window galleries. Print out a scavenger hunt or BINGO cards for the drive. https://www.momsminivan.com/scavenger.html https://www.travelchannel.com/interests/road-trips/articles/road-trip-bingo Support your local economy. Order take out, shop online, shop local. Start an online recipe swap or ideas of fun things for kids or adults to do while at home. Check out blogs that interest you; this could be a travel blog, cooking, art, religion, architecture, theatre, sports, food, the options are endless! Find ways to join the conversations. Ask others to participate in a weekly challenge. Choose a theme and get others to send in photos, i.e. flowers. Create a compilation video of submissions and share. Check in on your friends and neighbours. Give them a call and see how they are doing and if they need anything. Do they have enough food and supplies? Make an extra meal and drop it off. “Any one of us can pick up a phone and call to see how people are doing and what they might need. Not only will helping others potentially help them, but it can help us to still feel connected as well.” — Julianne Holt- Lunstad, Brigham Young University MAINTAINING STRONG RELATIONSHIPS AT HOME Tensions can rise as we deal with cabin fever and the growing responsibilities and adaptations in our homes. Finding balance between spending time together and finding time for yourself is important. We are supplying a list of ideas of things to do as a family or roommates, and things to try on your own. WHAT CAN YOU DO? INDEPENDENTLY Drawing, painting or an art project Read a book Write your own book! Don’t know where to start, there are many sites like this https://www.createmybooks.com/CA/en/write-a-book that guide you through the process and even show you how to turn your book into an e-book to share with others. Do a puzzle. You can either access your own collection of puzzles at home or check out https://jigsawpuzzles.io/ for a variety of online puzzle options. Learn a new skill online-check out https://www.Skillshare.com for hundreds of options in online classes. Pick a room and clean out a space that’s been in need of some love and purging. Try out yoga or meditation online. There are lots of great yoga videos on YouTube. Guided yoga practice: https://www.youtube.com/user/yogawithadriene Guided meditation practice: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pLUleLdwY4 Exercise! Just because the gym has closed, doesn’t mean you can’t access a huge variety of training videos online. Here is a link to 50 online exercise videos you can do at home https://makeyourbodywork.com/how-to-exercise-at-home/ Learn how to Dance. Dancing alone together offers all sorts of online dance classes https://www.dancingalonetogether.org/classes. Start a journal or a blog. You can make your own blog using sites like wix.com, wordpress.com or weebly.com. They are easy to set up and free! Put together a scrapbook, make a hard copy or have fun using digital tools online. You can try: Scrapgirls, My Memories, SweetShoppe Designs, Smilebox or Free Pretty Things for You. WHAT CAN YOU DO? FAMILY AND ROOMMATES Playing a board game or card game Doing a puzzle Cooking a meal or baking Family movie night Group art project Go through old family photos together Create a scrapbook Have a dinner party (with those who you live with)! Give yourselves a reason to get dressed up and enjoy a nice meal together.