As people spend more time at home to reduce the spread of COVID-19, some are finding creative ways to stay connected.
People are taking to their computers to share a glass of wine with friends, and organizing virtual book clubs or coffee dates over video chat.
A number of gyms have begun offering virtual workout classes to help people keep active and connected. Peninsula Crossfit closed its doors on Monday, but it鈥檚 still offering three daily workouts to members through livestreams using the video-chat app Zoom.
Members and instructors can see and hear one another through their screens, similar to a regular class.
鈥淭his is a way that everyone can still kind of stay connected, and, hopefully, we can keep that strong community alive,鈥� said co-owner Whitney Salvador.
Victoria mom Sarah Bourdon is working on a way to build connections between isolated seniors and children stuck at home using handmade cards.
When she heard that care homes would be limiting visitors to slow the spread of COVID-19, she asked other parents if their children would like to make cards for seniors in a nearby care home.
鈥淚 just thought it must be such a lonely place for a lot of residents if they can鈥檛 connect,鈥� Bourdon said.
She鈥檚 still working out how to collect and distribute the cards without increasing the risk of introducing the novel coronavirus to a vulnerable population, but making cards is keeping her six-year-old son busy and giving him a purpose.
鈥淚t helps him, having something to do for other people,鈥� Bourdon said.
In a daily update on the spread of COVID-19 in B.C., provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry stressed the need to stay connected while practising social-distancing measures.
鈥淲e need to stay together while we stay apart, and we need to care for each other as we do that,鈥� said Henry.
Most people鈥檚 lives are social through work or school, and those connections are essential to well-being and a sense of belonging, said counsellor Mary Lue Emmerson, who recommends finding new ways to maintain relationships.
鈥淭he longer you stay away from people, the harder sometimes it is to delve back into relationships,鈥� Emmerson said. 鈥淪o, I would recommend that people reach out now early on and stay deliberately connected through this process.鈥�
Emmerson said people should schedule times to connect with friends and family and stick to the calendar.
She pointed to a number of apps 鈥� such as FaceTime, Google Hangout, Zoom and Houseparty 鈥� that people can use to keep up their relationships virtually.
鈥淥ne of the things I鈥檓 doing with my friend who鈥檚 in Guatemala is we鈥檙e doing live chats where we鈥檙e cooking together,鈥� Emmerson said.
Her daughter, a Harvard student who abruptly moved home to Victoria when the university shut down, is also getting creative. One way she鈥檚 staying in touch with scattered friends is through group dance parties using shared playlists over video chats.
Leah MacInnes, a couples and family therapist in Victoria, said it鈥檚 important to pick up the phone for voice or video chats, instead of just sending messages or connecting over social media.
鈥淚 think there鈥檚 an important quality of connection that you have when you鈥檙e actually talking to somebody,鈥� she said, adding seeing their faces is even better.
MacInnes stressed the importance of getting outside regularly, not just for fresh air, but to interact with people you see on the street. 鈥淵ou don鈥檛 have to get close, but you can say hello and good morning and still chat from a distance,鈥� she said.
Keeping a daily routine that鈥檚 as close to normal as possible will also help to maintain mental health, she said.
鈥淲e all need to have some normalcy, some routine in our lives,鈥� she said. 鈥淗aving a structure in your day where you鈥檙e getting up and getting dressed and showered and planning some activities is super important, even if those activities are in your home.鈥�
MacInnes said anyone who鈥檚 really struggling with uncertainty and anxiety can turn to a counsellor, many of whom are transitioning to provide support online.
While so many people are struggling with uncertainty around their health, finances and daily life, Emmerson suggested being sensitive with what you鈥檙e sharing on social media.
鈥淩ecognize that not everybody may be as comfortable in their home or have as much in their own situation as others. Different people will be experiencing anxiety or loneliness or fear,鈥� she said.
鈥淲e really need to be mindful of anything that could be detrimental or triggering to other people.鈥�
