By: Ashley Wong, Vice-President of FMHO
With everyone separated during quarantine, it may be difficult to keep in contact with friends and family. Today we talk about how technology has assisted in helping everyone have constant communication.
Technology such as computers and phones have allowed for instant messaging and quick replies. Since everyone is at home during coronavirus quarantine, many are finding themselves bored and with not much to do. By physically distancing during quarantine, we do not have the same interactions that we used to. Instead of talking in person, we have resorted to face to face talking online via Zoom or any other video communications technology. In addition to video calls, most people have the ability to contact others using online messaging systems such as Facebook or Discord.
While our way of communications have changed, we still have a need to talk to others. Whether it be small talk or long discussions, we have started to convert to online forms of communication such as texting or video call. Now more than ever we feel a need to communicate in order to have a sense of connection.
Connection is extremely important for mental health and health in general. According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, "Social connection can lower anxiety and depression, help us regulate our emotions, lead to higher self-esteem and empathy, and actually improve our immune systems. By neglecting our need to connect, we put our health at risk." By using different communications such as video chat and messaging, we are creating these connections that were no longer available due to quarantine.
Human connections are extremely important to the human health and that during quarantine, we hope you are keeping healthy by maintaining these connections!
Sources: The importance of human connection. (2019, October 17). Retrieved October 14, 2020, from https://cmha.ca/blogs/the-importance-of-human-connection
Leverage Technology to Make Social Isolation Easier. (n.d.). Retrieved October 14, 2020, from https://connect.uclahealth.org/2020/04/20/leverage-technology-to-make-social-isolation-easier/