“We human beings are social beings. We come into the world as the result of others’ actions. We survive here in dependence on others. Whether we like it or not, there is hardly a moment of our lives when we do not benefit from others’ activities.” – Dalai Lama

Humans are social creates and I feel this has made it especially challenging for us to cope with social distance. Seeing the same faces 24/7 and being unable to travel, explore, and meet our friends has impacted many people’s social and mental wellbeings negatively. I believe I am a happy person, I enjoy meeting new people and learning new things. Luckily many of my friends and I have access to a steady wifi network which makes connecting through social platforms easy. With a click of a button I can call my friends, laugh, joke, and smile with them. To improve my social wellbeing I talk to my friends often with the use of apps like Whatsapp, Instagram, TikTok, and primarily Snapchat. Recently I experienced my first Netflix party, this extension allows us to watch movies and shows with others. After trying this once my friends and I have decided to do this at least once a week. From sitting with each other every day at lunch to once a week calls we have adapted. I think this epidemic has allowed us to find new creative ways to connect with each other.

Talking to friends and social wellbeing is incredibly important to me, however constantly looking at screens, texting, video chatting, and snapping don’t always have the best impact on my wellbeing. In addition to that the 8 hours of remote learning (not including homework and other tutoring classes) has significantly increased my screentime. Though using our screens during this time is necessary it is also important to take breaks. For my mental wellbeing, I try to play games like sudoku and chess. I feel that these calm my mind but also have additional benefits, it’s challenging but it improves my problem-solving. Another aspect of my wellbeing that I am aware of is my physical wellbeing. To take care of my physical wellbeing I follow workout plans which give me exercise videos to follow every day. I also occasionally go cycling with my dad. During this circuit breaker I completed my first (and second) 70km ride. I feel like I have and will continue to make this circuit breaker a positive experience for me rather than just seeing it as an inconvenience. I think it is important to have a positive mindset and make the best of every situation you are in.