Single and coronavirus

Some cities and towns cater to single people with ample entertainment, bars, restaurants, apartment buildings with multiple shared spaces, which lends to people staying out and about after work or on weekends. 

In crowded cities especially, someone single will likely keep costs down by having a smaller living space, and relying on access to more amenities available in public or shared spaces. Suddenly, losing valuable common areas, limits the single person to their smaller home, or studio apartment. 

Not only are the new restrictions limiting their access to shared areas, but there are less social interactions at work. Additionally the timeline has jumped from 2 weeks to 2 months or more of recommended social distancing, which was caught many off guard. 

It’s not surprising that the cumulative effect is increasing loneliness among those single or living alone. 

This new way of life does require new ways to socialize without increasing the risk of transmission of the virus. 

It’s a matter of finding resources to continue to socialize and to replace previous habits with new alternative activities.

Some recommendations include: 

Volunteering to tutor students, or offer other services online. This is a great way to meet new people but also have an added purpose to your time at home. 

Traditional phone calls may have been a “thing of the past” with the rampant use of social apps and texting, but hearing a familiar voice can help ease the lack of physical contact.

Scheduling facetime and group video chats with different groups in your life, like co-workers, friends, and family can be a great way to stay in touch and keep your social calendar full. Apps such as Houseparty, Facebook Messenger and Whatsapp are great ways to use a smart phone even if you do not have a laptop or computer at home.

Reading a book can be a great way to get to know someone else, even if it is a fictional or historical someone else. 

Trivia nights, and other usual group activities are being converted to online versions. Examples are, book clubs, happy hours, workout sessions, and group worship, etc.

Don’t forget that you can continue to see people in person but need to keep a 6 foot bubble between everyone, while avoiding touching things unnecessarily. Remember to wipe surfaces down afterwards as well.

It’s important to note, if loneliness is accompanied with issues of sleep, motivation, appetite or other depressive symptoms, then it’s time to reach out to a mental health professional like a therapist or psychiatrist for a video/online evaluation. Suicidal thoughts should always include calling a suicide prevention hotline, or calling 911.

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