
16. Stay connected to family and friends – even if it’s virtually.
As instinctive social beings, humans are made for connections. The feelings of isolation and loneliness can further contribute to feelings of anxiety. To combat those feelings, you have to make even more of a conscious effort to stay connected. Now that many of us are not going into work and are not spending as much time in-person with our friends and family, we have to make it more of a conscious priority. The good news is that thanks to all of the technology we have these days, we can still have some feelings of connectedness to our loved ones.

You can schedule routine phone calls or video calls to interact. Video chats are particularly helpful in combating anxiety and feelings of loneliness because, unlike phone calls, you can see your loved ones. Many people also use social media to stay connected to loved ones near and far. It can also serve as a resource for what is going on in our communities and country. While you work to make more of a deliberate effort to stay connected, you should not let the negative news headlines or ‘new normal’ dominate every conversation. It is vital to laugh still and focus on other aspects of your life.