Friends schedules, appreciating home and talking to people longer on calls - your VP Welfare, Ellie gives tips on how to cope with these times.
Ellie (VP Welfare 19/20) Recommends
Actually, physically talk to people.
- FaceTime, Skype, phone calls, voice notes are all so much better than messaging.
- I don’t know about you, but I almost get anxiety seeing the list of unread messages in my phone knowing I need to find time to reply to them all.
- One proper phone call with a friend, however brief, is so much less stressful and way more effective in actually seeing how the other person is doing.
- This is even more important it you’re isolating alone – The act of talking really is what makes us feel better and allows us to fully process our own situation and how we’re doing.
- So, if you’re not a phone person – SUCK IT UP AND GET TALKING.
Share major parts of the day with others.
- Whether it’s getting ready in the morning, eating lunch, cooking dinner or saying goodnight – there’s something so comforting about sharing these moments with another person, even if it is virtually.
- My friend Rachel and I have started facetiming as soon as we turn our phones off aeroplane mode in the morning. It honestly really sets you up for the day when you’ve already interacted with another human who loves you.
Make yourself a friend schedule.
- Checking in on others is one of the best ways to give yourself a bit of purpose when you’re having a down day and gives you the opportunity to feel less alone too.
- If you’re anything like me I have friends scattered all over the shop and it can feel almost daunting trying to keep up with them all so by making yourself a list of family, colleagues friends from home, uni, placement, drunken club bathrooms, it helps you make sure you’re sharing the love and don’t have a wave of panic about neglecting anyone.
Keep sharing and initiating communication with others.
- It feels weird constantly putting yourself out there on social media not knowing how your friends and followers are really reacting at the other end.
- Some people find it hard to reach out to friends when they’re struggling so if you feel like you’re always the one reaching out – that’s okay.
- You may never know how much your messages and facetimes and snaps improve someone’s day so just keep at it. And it only takes one comment saying your crappy story made someone smile to make it all worth it.
Enjoy your own space and make sure you’re giving it to those you’re living with.
- This is great time to really bond with the people you’re isolating with. However, that doesn’t mean you have to be together 24/7 in order not to feel lonely.
- It’s better to physically take yourself away and enjoy some alone time so you feel the difference when you’re back in the company of your family and flatmates.
- That way when you come back together you have new things to talk about and share.
Remember why you’re doing this.
- It’s good to get on with life as normally as possible and not let the news and constant updates on the COVID-19 situation consume you.
- However, when you’re feeling particularly low, isolated and like you miss your people – remember it’s those exact same people your going through this to protect.
- Know that for now, staying home is the bravest thing you can be doing for those you love, but it’s not forever.
- Let that give you the strength and motivation to keep going.