How Social Distancing Brought Us Together.
September 15, 2020, by Marialena Lamprianidis
When quarantine initially rolled around, we yearned for the outdoors. With no other destination or form of entertainment, we turned to nature. Daily walks became routine, the amount of time spent in the yard lengthened, and (even though it was probably not the best idea) trips to the park and beach became more frequent. With the closure of everything, nature was beginning to heal, and we were all rediscovering the joys of being outside. It was such a calming relief to be around fresh air and greenery after being enclosed in a building, with seemingly no where to escape to, for so long.
However, all good things get old. After the 45th stroll around the neighborhood, you start to get bored with your options of escape. Not being able to do much can get stressful, and not doing much alone is the hardest part. Phone calls and Zoom calls filled the void for a little bit, but there's nothing that can truly replace a good old fashioned face-to-face conversation. Who would've thought something like that would become so dangerous?
That being said, we as humans are the masters of adaptation. I can personally attest to the strides we've made to safely see each other again. I've been a part of drive-by birthday parties, seen social-distancing cocktail hour in the neighborhood streets, and had a coffee date in a shopping plaza parking lot six feet away from my bestie. These socially distanced gatherings are our new reality, and adapting to the safe and responsible way of hanging out can be vital to your mental health and well-being.
Before you go calling up your friends to hit the town, it's important to learn how to safely hang out by following all the recommended safety guidelines. The first thing to always keep in mind is that six foot distance that you always need to maintain between yourself and those around you. Just like any other time that you plan on coming into contact with others, remember to wear a mask! You're also going to want to meet others in an open air space. A nice open area outdoors is going to not only give you that space that you need to maintain a safe distance, but you'll also be in a space that will provide you clean and fresh air. You also spent so long reigniting that love for the outdoors, why not keep that love alive?
I have found that the perfect way to safely spend time with loved ones is to find a back yard or park, and have each person sit on their own ECCOSOPHY Pocket Blanket. Everyone has their own designated place to sit on, and the dimensions of each blanket make it so that we are close enough to enjoy each other's company, but far enough to be practicing social distancing. It's so convenient to have a system that safely and easily gets you back in touch with those you love.
Just as we rediscovered nature, we are rediscovering our friendships and relations, and have truly learned the value and importance that other people bring into our lives. After months of isolation, during one of the most stressful and turbulent moments in our lifetimes, our reconnection with others is healing.
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