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When we are isolated, finding creative, virtual ways to stay strong and connected with family & friends becomes very important.
We need to accept our new normal for a bit of time and find ways to maintain social connections when we are physically isolated.
We all have reasons that we need to stay strong… for ourselves, our friends and our families.
If we thought we needed mindfulness before, we REALLY need it now!
We include great resources to help all of us do the best that we can in a very difficult situation.
Along with 41 stay strong quotes that can help us to keep things in perspective when going through hard times.
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Ways to stay strong and connected
Daily questions to help us stay strong
Ask yourself these questions to remind yourself to focus on what we can do and what we should be doing for our own mental health.
- What am I grateful for?
- What exercise will I be doing today?
- What are my plans to get fresh air?
- What beauty do I see around me?
- What ways am I connecting with those I love today?
- What ways am I letting go of things that I cannot control and feel that I am missing out on?
1. Facetime & Duo
Stay connected by using Skype, Whatsapp, Facetime, Duo or any other apps that help us to video chat with our friends & families. We are going to have to get creative.
Use these apps while doing activities. This will help us feel more connected.
You can set your phone or computer on a shelf and talk while you are cooking or while watching a movie. Maybe you could plan a trip that you would like to take together at a future time.
It will be fun to spend some time daydreaming about what you would like to do and where you will go on your upcoming trip.
We should try to use the phone more often to talk or video calls, because it is more personal than using texts all the time.
If you would like to video chat with a bunch of your friends at the same time using Zoom, FaceTime, Google Hangouts, Skype or Facebook Messenger can all be used to have a virtual happy hour.
2. Streaming movies & shows
Obviously we will all be watching and streaming more TV. There is a new Chrome extension called Netflix Party that includes a chat room. Groups of friends can get together virtually and watch their favorite movies on their computers at the same time.
If you are with your family and home together, find some movies that you all can enjoy. Check out Rotten Tomatoes for reviews to decide which ones you want to add to your list.
3. Spend time outdoors
No matter where you live you can enjoy the outdoors. If you live outside of a congested city, you can enjoy the outdoors in your own yards or local parks.
State parks are a great way to spend your day especially when you are getting stir crazy or on a nice weather day.
In the cities, there are plenty of parks to take a walk in and enjoy a little bit of nature or a picnic. Going for walks or runs are important for us all and help to keep us sane!
4. Get a green thumb
Gardening can be very relaxing along with having some indoor plants. Planting container gardens can be enjoyed even in smaller spaces. Plant an herb or flower garden, give it some sun and enjoy!
5. Play video games
Find some multiplayer video games and enjoy playing virtually. There are so many games available and a quick Google search will get you started.
6. Share your latest playlist
Share some of your favorite playlists that you have made for exercising,relaxing or stress relief!
7. Create a virtual book club
A virtual book club is a great idea! You can invite a bunch of friends or family members to read the same book and then talk and discuss it all virtually.
Now is the time to read any of the books that you may have always wanted to read, but never had the time.
8. Share your experiences
You don’t have to go through things alone. Call your friends, check on your family. Stay in touch so that you can share what you are going through and don’t feel so alone.
9. Send small gifts to help you stay connected
Sending a small gift to your friends or family members is a sweet and inexpensive way to stay connected.
Surprise them with a fun pair of socks, a candle or beef jerky. There is no one alive that doesn’t love to receive a gift in the mail.
Ways to learn, enjoy culture + travel virtually while we are isolated
1. Visit Virtual museums around the world
Take a stroll and enjoy art from the best museums in the world.
2. Take virtual walks around the world
This is an amazing way to feel like you are exploring other countries. There are many virtual walk locations to choose from, my favorite one has many that take place in Italy. You can check out these at-home workout streaming services, if you want a great substitute for your favorite classes.
3. Take a Masterclass from leaders in their fields
These are dream classes. How wonderful to take a class from literally legends in their fields. This is an amazing opportunity for anyone that wants to learn from the best.
4. Free online classes from elite global colleges
Hundreds of free classes are available from the best colleges around the globe.
I have gotten certificates from a very popular happiness class from UC Berkeley and a business class from Harvard EX so far.
5. Long distance date ideas
Virtual ideas to stay connected when you cannot be together with your love.
6. How to Live a Happy Life + Happy Life Quotes to Make you Smile
Learn about how to live a happy life with quotes to help us refocus and find ways to smile!
When we need to de-stress and refocus, mindfulness is a practice that will help enormously.
Keeping track of our thoughts and emotions can help to put things in perspective. Keeping a journal is very therapeutic. We have lots of ideas to get you started.
9. Art and Play Activity Guide for Kids
If you have young children, finding things to do when they can’t get together with friends will be challenging.
Use this great resource to get you started. Of course Pinterest will be chock full of kids activities too!
Older kids may be doing a lot of Tic Toks and spending more time online and with video games.
Some other resources for kids
- 101+ Ways to Keep your Kids Busy
- 50+ Indoor Activities
- Free Subscriptions to Educational Companies
- Monterey Bay Aquarium Live Webcams
- Scholastic Learn from Home
10. How to Stop Overthinking Quotes & Gain Control of our Thoughts
Learn specific tips to help you to stop overthinking and worrying in difficult times.
Getting through hard times quotes
“There is always hope no matter how hard it gets.”
”You were given this life because you are strong enough to live it.”
“You have within you, right now, everything you need to deal with whatever the world can throw at you.”
“We all have an unexpected reserve of strength inside that emerges when life puts us to the test.”
“The minute you think of giving up, think of the reason why you held on so long.”
“You can’t go back to the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.” -C.S. Lewis
“Keep your head up and your heart strong.”
“New beginnings are often disguised as painful endings” -Lao Tzu
“I am strong because I’ve been weak, I am fearless because I’ve been afraid, I am wise because I’ve been foolish.”
“Sometimes you have to get knocked down lower than you have ever been, to stand up taller than you ever were.”
“Nothing ever goes away until it teaches us what we need to know.” Pema Chodron
“The greater the storm, the brighter the rainbow.”
Stay strong quotes
“On particularly rough days, when I’m sure I can’t possibly endure, I like to remind myself that my track record for getting through bad days so far is 100% and that’s pretty good.”
“Never, ever, ever, give up”
“People don’t cry because they are weak, It’s because they have been strong for too long.”
“Hold on and stay strong.”
“You’ll never know your strength until you’ve faced your struggles.”
“Sometimes the bad things that happen in our lives put us directly on the path to the best things that will ever happen to us.”
“Strength is the product of struggle, you must do what others won’t to achieve what others don’t.”
“Hardships often prepare ordinary people for an extraordinary destiny.” C.S. Lewis
“Life is a circle of happiness, sadness and hard times. If you are going through hard times, have faith that good times are on the way.”
“In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.”
“Be a warrior, not a worrier.”
“Adversity is like a strong wind, It tears from us all but the things that cannot be torn, so that we see ourselves as we really are.” -Arthur Golden
“Obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it or work around it.”
“I’ve learned that you can keep going, long after you think you can’t”
“Smile and let everyone know that today you are a lot stronger than you were yesterday.”
More stay strong quotes
“You never know how strong you are, until being strong is your only choice.”- Bob Marley
“When life gives you lots of reasons to cry, show life that you have more reasons to laugh and smile.”
“You have to be at your strongest, when you’re feeling at your weakest.”
“When you can’t control what’s happening, Challenge yourself to control the way that you respond to what is happening. That is where your power is.”
“Find your happy place”
“Just keep swimming”- Dory
“When you face difficult times, know that challenges are not sent to destroy you. They are sent to promote, increase and strengthen you.”
“Life has many ways of testing a person’s will. Either by having nothing happen at all or by having everything happen all at once.”
“The best view always comes after the hardest climb.”
“Staying positive even when it feels like your whole world is falling apart.”
“Stars can’t shine without darkness.”
“Be strong now, because things will get better. It might be stormy now, but it can’t rain forever.”
“Life’s challenges are not supposed to paralyze you, they are supposed to help you discover who you are.” -Bernice Reagan
Conclusion how to stay strong and connected
We listed the best and most interesting ways to stay strong and connected when we have to deal with tough times.
Each situation will be different, and the one that we all find ourselves in right now is quite a challenge. We have to rely and be kind to each other.
We have to do the best that we can and stay strong and connected with each other to make the best of any bad situations.
What do you think?
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