Social Distancing does not mean Social Isolation

We have been instructed by health officials to practice social distancing - which means to stay home unless necessary and refrain from touching each other, like shaking hands for example. The safe distancing 1-metre rule has also been implemented recently to aid in the fight of the virus.

Although this can cause us to feel lonely and anxious, it is for the greater good of humanity. However, this is also the time where we need each other's support and understand the most. We need to understand that social distancing does not mean social isolation.

We are lucky that we are always connected these days and that friends are just a phone call away. In this article, I have gathered 5 things you can do to make good use of our time and connection to stay positive and show support to those we care.

1. Practice good personal hygiene

We can't take care of others unless we take care of ourselves first. Be responsible by staying home as much as you can and practice good hygiene. Carry a bottle of hand sanitizer with you and apply it after leaving an office or a restaurant so you kill the bacteria and viruses that you may have gotten into contact with. We also know it can be hard to resist touching your face sometimes - wearing a fabric mask will help with that. Here's more on how you can practice good hygiene

2. Spread positive energy, not fake news

The spread of fake news may seem harmless at the beginning, and even funny to some. But this can be more harmful than we think. Fake news can cause panic and anxiety, which may lead to society feeling more worried as a result of it. Always check the news and government websites for legitimate information before forwarding messages to group chats and family members. If you receive a piece of fake news, be sure to alert the sender too!

3. Catch up with your friends and family

Yes, this is the perfect time to catch up with long lost friends and even ex-colleagues - over the phone, that is! Use this opportunity to show care and concern for the people in your life by sending them a text or calling them on Facetime. This will help you feel more socially connected even when at home. Tip: Gather round some friends (via the phone) using the app Houseparty - it allows you to "show up" and be with your friends while staying safe and even has games on it. The app is available on the App Store and Google Play Store.

Note: A new bill was passed on 7th April 2020, limiting the social gatherings of any size in both private and public spaces:

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/covid-19-social-gatherings-private-and-public-moh-12617800

4. Learn a new language or skill

With all the extra time on hand, you could use it to learn a new language and "upgrade" yourself. If language is not your thing, pick up a new skill like writing or coding. This will keep your mind challenged and increase your value at your workplace! We recommend the phone Duolingo - it makes learning a new language easy and fun!

Fun fact: There are more people learning new languages on the app than in the U.S. school system.

5. Declutter your room (or house!)

Since we are now spending more time at home, we want to feel comfortable being in it. Declutter your room (Marie-Kondo style) and decorate it with all the "feel good" items like crystals, fairy lights and paintings. For items that do not serve you or "spark joy" anymore, put them away in a box and send it to a donation drive. Read more about Marie Kondo's methods here.

We hope you stay healthy and safe during these testing times. Let's all do our part and stay indoors as much as we can. We will get through this together!