LIFE

Staying cooped up inside can leave you feeling *super* lonely, which is why it's so important to keep in touch with your friends during this difficult time.

Social activities are stunted, and ordinary interactions with the outside world are interrupted. The sudden increase in isolation has taken a serious toll on our emotional health, leaving us stripped of the face-to-face connections that we crave as human beings. "Our brains will seek out ways to compensate for social deprivation, and when those efforts are frustrated, we feel emotional distress," explains licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Amy Boyers. "Even though we have family members or others living with us, we experience the lack of normal contact as highly uncomfortable."  

"Our social network gives us a sense of identity. It helps us stay connected with our own existence, which is quite profound," says Dr. Boyers. "Other people mirror our emotions back to us in response to the things we do and say, so it also provides validation that our experiences are real and make sense." To help combat separation anxiety and mutually make sense of the madness, be sure to show your gals some extra love from afar in the coming weeks. Here are some simple ways to boost your BFF's spirits and stay connected no matter how far apart you are.

Help them understand the facts.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has an abundance of information about the virus and how it can be prevented. Reading up may be exactly what your friend needs to be instilled with a sense of solace.

Mail an old-fashioned, handwritten letter.

There's nothing more special than receiving a sleepaway-camp-style note in your personal penmanship. Feel free to drop a photo of you two inside the envelope to emphasize *just* how much you're missing him.

Schedule a food shipment.

Lots of restaurants are still open for takeout, so surprise your friend with a batch of cupcakes or bagel basket delivered to her doorstep. She'll definitely appreciate you going the extra mile and may even reciprocate the love by sending you a meal of your own.

Link up on social media.

Find ways to interact on your favorite social platform, whether through dancing a TikTok duet or exchanging memes via Instagram DM. Be sure to also leave a compliment on anything he posts to spread positivity!

Set a goal together.

Excess time indoors can leave one feeling unmotivated, so work as a duo to brainstorm an objective each week. Monday through Wednesday can be for online workouts, Thursday and Friday for trying new recipes, and Saturday and Sunday for reading a new book!

Listen and support.

Sometimes, your BFF may just want to rant about what's on her mind to relieve anxiety. Be there on the opposite end of the phone as a listening ear, and make it clear that you understand what she's going through.

Encourage them to get more sleep.

Getting shut-eye while being stressed out is difficult, but it's crucial in order to maintain optimal mental health. Inspire your bestie to go to bed earlier by ending text or Snapchat conversations before midnight.

Set aside some face-to-face time.

Although you may not be able to see each other in person for the time being, slate a period where you can video chat with each other a few times per week. Zoom karaoke parties and dinner dates make the experience all the more fun!

Looking for another way to stay connected to your besties from afar? Click here!

by Carrie Berk | 4/29/2020