5 Ways to stay social while isolating
Social distancing is proving difficult enough for many never mind lockdown - so we compiled a short list of ways to stay social while stuck in the house!
1. Facetime, Zoom, Houseparty, skype and whatsapp
Facetime, Zoom, Houseparty, skype and whatsapp are just a few of many apps you can use to video chat with friends or colleges. One you may be least familiar with is Houseparty - its exploded in popularity over the last few days due to the outbreak. Houseparty is an app that lets you video chat with many of your friends at once while playing various games against one another such as 'Heads up' and Trivia Quiz.
Here at Zen we have been using zoom to hold our daily team meetings. Zoom is an excellent resource for any business especially during these uncertain times. Zoom can also be used to host quizzes with friends or online exercise classes as a large group of people can be on one call.
2. Netflix party
Netflix party chrome extension is an add-on you can download on which allows you to watch Netflix with friends. The extension syncs the film or tv show so everyone connected is watching at the same time and creates a chat room/comments section next to the screen, so you can talk to friends as you watch without having to go off it. This means no trying to press play at the same time or going off the film to talk to each other. It’s a win-win!
3. Social media challenges
Right now Instagram is at the centre of all social challenges. one being the“until tomorrow challenge” (using the word lightly) where if you are tagged by a friend you must post an ugly/funny picture or video that you can’t delete until tomorrow… hence the name. Want more of a challenge? How about the the 'toilet roll keepy uppy' challenge. Again, it’s all in the name, you have to kick a toilet roll (since everyone is stocked up) keeping it in the air for as long as possible. However one thing these challenges have highlighted is we need to get more creative with challenge names…
4. Live workouts
Many studios have moved their classes to online so clients don’t have to miss out but if you’re not already part of a class that has gone online there are many more available and some for free! 305 fitness stream dance workout classes on Zoom and YouTube so you can watch online or video chat along with the rest of the class. More info: https://305fitness.com/events-calendar. Or if you’re looking for something more relaxed, Yogaworks streams some free workouts available to everyone so you don’t have to be a member. More info: https://www.yogaworks.com/classes/live/?fbclid=IwAR05M9ajf1R79t-D0yOfUtg9lIphrZp5u0uS4E0E-d_kBGNLsQhCdHFOsPw
To end on an arguably slight soppy note, This last one isn't about trying to be social with those you are separated from but if you're lucky (or unlucky) enough to be isolated with family, a partner or friends then try enjoying your time with them. Being stuck at home may have you feeling on top of each other but it's not often everyone is home together so play a game, watch a film, cook together or just try not to bicker whatever works for your family.
