How to Stay Connected While Under Quarantine

Whether you are under self-isolation or mandatory quarantine, you might find yourself feeling lonely or bored. Humans are naturally social beings and crave social interaction. Lucky for us, with technology, there are plenty of ways for us to connect. Here are a few ways you can still interact with your loved ones while social distancing:

Host Virtual Happy Hour or a Dinner Party

With the inability to go out to the bars and restaurants, people throughout the country are finding themselves drinking together online. By turning to video chats, it’s enabling society to still follow “social distancing” while enjoying their regular happy hour with friends or co-workers. Some people are even reuniting with family members and individuals that they haven’t seen in ages. The nonstop news of this health crisis has been difficult to face, but some are making new friends and making the most out of the negative situation. Have you heard of the new cocktail known as the quaratini? It’s supposedly best served with a laptop or smartphone!

Netflix Party 

Since in-person movie nights and TV watch parties are not currently possible, Netflix Party is the perfect alternative. This Chrome extension allows you to separately watch shows and movies with your friends, together. Netflix Party allows you to sync up a show or movie that you decide to stream with your friends. If you pause, rewind, or fast-forward, so does everyone else in your party. There is even a chat feature so you can share your commentary and opinions!

Stay Fit with Instagram or Facebook Live

Many gyms and fitness studios are temporarily closed in order to reduce the risk to the public. Luckily a lot of them are offering free workouts on Instagram Live and IGTV, this allows you to continue to incorporate healthy habits into your daily routine right at home. By staying motivated and healthy, this platform will connect the local community in positive ways. Not only does working out boost your immune system, but you will want to release some endorphins during a stressful time in everyone’s life. What better way than having your friends or family join in through video chat. This will keep you all accountable while still enjoying your workout at home. 

Here are some recommendations for accounts to follow and join in on their classes: Rush Cycle, Fortis & YOGALUX, ClassPass, CorePower Yoga, 9Round, Pure Barre, 24 Hour Fitness, Crunch, and Orangetheory Fitness.

Quarantine Chat

Quarantine Chat is a service that allows you to chat online with other quarantined people worldwide. It is a perfect way for you to connect with others around the world who are also in isolation. Being able to commiserate with those in the same situation with you allows you to vent and get things out of your head so you can begin to focus on the positive things in your life. It is a great way to connect with others to discuss and process this strange, uncertain time.

Facetime/Video Chat with Friends and Family

This one might be obvious, but it is a great alternative to talking on the phone especially if you want to see someone. Did you know iPhones allow users to FaceTime with up to 32 other iPhone users? (sorry Droids) Everyone in the call has a tile and it enlarges when a person speaks. Now I don’t know if you have ever been to a video conference with over 5 people but it can get pretty hectic especially when trying to talk business. However, a FaceTime call with a bunch of friends can be quite funny and entertaining. 

If you do have an Android phone, here are a couple of apps you can download to video chat with others:

• Google Duo
• Facebook Messenger
• Houseparty (equipped with fun in app games too!)
• Skype

Video Games

Since you’re stuck inside, what’s something you could do to keep your mind off of what’s happening in the world? Video games! With all of the stress you may have encountered due to COVID-19, you can find comfort in these virtual worlds. Here are some games you can play with others remotely:

Phone apps/online:

• Mario Kart Tour
• Words with Friends
• Houseparty 
• Jackbox games
• Cards Against Humanity (and other card games on PlayingCards.io)

Gaming console – Fortnite, Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, and other games with the ability to use a headset allows players to interact with friends and meet new online gamers. 

The  Nintendo Switch game, Animal Crossing: New Horizons has gained some major popularity since the quarantine began. Players are saying how perfectly this game fits into their quarantined life and I bet you will feel the same way. You can go socialize at your friend’s house, enjoy a shopping trip, and even hop on a plane to fly to other islands. This video game is allowing people to “build a community” which will probably be the reason it ends up being on your top 10 favorites.

We are so fortunate to have so many different ways to socialize during this stressful time. I hope you find these tools helpful in your time of self-isolation. Share this blog with someone you know that needs some help staying connected!