Health
Social Distancing during COVID19 does not mean Social Isolation: social distancing with social isolation. We can maintain social distancing during COVID19 and yet remain socially connected creatively.
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By: Ms Anju Mathur
e humans are social beings and our social connections are a fundamental aspect of healthy living. Especially for older adults, having and maintaining social connections is one of the key factors related to living well and aging well. During COVID19 pandemic social distancing policies means that most people will have to spend much of their time at home. For the elderly people this has led to increased self -isolation. While following the government guidelines on safety, hand hygiene and social distancing, we need to be creative in the ways we connect socially and address the isolation. My message is simple – not to confuse
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5 Easy to follow tips to remain socially connected and active: 1. Pick up your phone and talk to your loved ones, or send them a text message or email to say that you are thinking of them; 2. Make Technology your friend - Meet your friends virtually and stay in contact – You can stay connected through Zoom and organise virtual get together and see each other and talk to each other as a group of friends; 3. Connect with your neighbours – having a cup of coffee in your own front yard/porch, drive way and waving to each other, gives a sense of comfort that we are all there for each other; 4. Become a volunteer – you can sign up with your local community organization and sign up to do welfare phone calls; 5. Teach yourself a new skill – if you are fond of cooking, learn to make a new dish and share your recipes with your friends and family; if you are fond of singing, start to
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learn a new song and then share your new skill with your loved ones. And remember to stay physically active - any activity is better than none- Physical activity has a huge potential to enhance our wellbeing. Exercise and physical fitness have benefits for our emotional, physical and mental health. Exercise increases our level of endorphins, which are natural mood lifters, even a short 10 minutes of brisk walking increases our mental alertness, energy and positive mood. Participation in any regular physical activity can increases our self-esteem and can reduce stress and anxiety. Key message is that right now we need more of social connections so let’s get creative in creating social connections and remaining physically active and fight loneliness and social isolation. About the writer: Ms Anju Mathur is a Dementia Consultant & Ageing Well Consultant Founder and President of Dementia Support Group for Indian Australians
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