As University students surpass a full month in quarantine, the current state of the world may seem strange. For those who prefer to stay inside, this may be glorious. For others, this is rather tough as the absence of human connection and interaction is missing. It is important to try and maintain our interpersonal communication ties while still trapped inside whether that be with friends or romantic partners. While some may be quarantined with a group of friends or their significant other, others have gone almost a month without seeing their favorite people in-person. Sometimes this distance can be stressful and put a strain on relationships.

For those who feel their interpersonal ties have been strained, it is important to focus on ways to combat these tensions. It all begins with the reminder that these changes are only temporary. After that, take some time and think of activities to do from a distance that will help bring friends or romantic partners closer together. For example….

Gaze at the stars

Hop on a FaceTime call with a friend or significant other. Instead of staying inside, take the party outside and get some fresh air. Grab a blanket, a towel and a beach chair to set camp outside. Lay down, place the phone upward to the sky and gaze at the stars. If doing this with friends, play a little game and tell them what shapes and figures the stars are making. If doing this with a significant other, take deep breaths and take in the moment. Gazing at the stars together can be a romantic bonding moment. It can help everyone feel that sense of togetherness while being apart.

Game night

Switch from a blue mindset to a positive one with a game night. Games can provoke a little fun and competition between players. Get ready to laugh the night away. There are many different games try on a Zoom call. Some are board games and some are card games. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

1. Cards against humanity 
2. Bingo
3. Charades
4. Do you know me? 
5. Scrabble 
6. Code Names 
7. Loaded Questions 
8. Saying Anything

All of these games are available for purchase on Amazon or Walmart. They also help to keep the mind going and the interest alive in the relationship. 

Questionnaire/20 questions 

Similar to having a game night, questionnaires and playing the infamous “20 questions” is a great way to keep a relationship entertaining. Whether dating or just friends, there is nothing more interesting than learning hidden secrets and facts about loved ones. There are many websites that help come up with questions, but it may be fun to get creative and make an original.

Go through Memory boxes/ photo albums/ old gifts from that person 

For those who have old photos or gifts saved away from friends or romantic partners, take a walk down memory lane. Remember what it was like to receive those gifts or take those pictures. Maybe even create a little something special for a romantic partner to thank them in return. Now is the perfect time to get crafty, maybe even create a box to home all the memories. 

Plan a dream vacation 

Get creative! Plan that dream vacation with friends or a significant other. To Italy, to China, to the Bahamas; the sky’s the limit. Pick a place and search the details. Make a Google document and share it. Let everyone contribute, putting in places and excursions to embark on when there. 

This can be a fun way to escape into fantasy-land for a bit, and who knows – maybe it can become a reality in the future.

At the end of the day, it is important to keep in touch with loved ones. Practice self-love and spread it. As Buddha once said, “To keep the body in good health is a duty, otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear.”