McKenzie Leary/The Broadside

Being in lockdown has led to plenty of time for people to think about the state of the world that they are currently in. COVID-19 has ripped away the normalcy and human connections of everyday life. It can feel like an impossible feat to find safe ways to socialize other than FaceTime and messaging friends through social media.

However, staying social is entirely possible if by applying COVID-19 safety regulations. These include every person wearing their mask when indoors or within six feet of anyone, washing hands and keeping a safe distance. Here is a list of ways that can bring some excitement back into life while staying compliant with the safety regulations.

Movie night 

Going out to the movie theater or curling up on the couch with a blanket and bucket of popcorn while bickering with friends over what movie to watch was a staple within many people’s lives before the pandemic hit. While it might feel like nights like these are gone for the foreseeable future, there are a few options available to bring these nights back. For Netflix users, the Netflix party is a browser extension that syncs a movie between a user and their friend’s devices with a chat feature alongside it. For other movie streaming sights such as Hulu, Disney+ and Amazon Prime, screen sharing on Zoom is another possibility. These virtual options guarantee a risk-free night full of fun.

Themed Zoom parties 

With Halloween and other holidays approaching, annual get-togethers have been up in the air. Through Zoom (which by now everyone are all experts with), there can be themed parties, dinners, and more with the people you’ve been missing. While Halloween is still around the corner, coordinating a costume party or a horror movie-themed get-together is sure to boost spirits.

In-person activities

As the weather continues to drop, finding low-risk, face to face opportunities continue to diminish but aren’t entirely impossible. While the sun is still shining, participating in seasonal activities like carving pumpkins, having a fall picnic in the leaves and coffee dates outdoors are viable options.

Drive-in events are also quickly rising in popularity. Some events like these include going to a drive-in movie or creating a car circle where everyone sits in the trunk of their car and chats.

Maintaining relationships may not look the same as they always have, but finding ways to stay safe and socialize can make the world feel less dreary, bring some semblance of routine back, and improve overall mental health.