post-pandemic: Easing back into social connection
Humans are social creatures -- there’s no denying that we need social connection to thrive, yet how each of us relates to social connection is unique. Things are constantly shifting as we move into the newest new normal, including our relationships to ourselves and each other. Some people are running ecstatically into the embraces of loved ones (or strangers! We’re not judgey here at CC) with whom we have only interacted through a screen for more than a year. For some of us, however, social interactions can feel anywhere from mildly nerve-wracking to downright scary, especially after almost a year and a half of limited human contact. What if we told you that watching your favorite TV show or playing a video game might be able to help?
Research from the University at Buffalo suggests that non-traditional social strategies may be as effective as traditional social strategies in fulfilling our belongingness needs. While the study was relatively small and caution should always be used in generalizing such results, the findings fly in the face of long-held assumptions that activities like listening to a beloved musician, getting lost in pulp fiction page-turners or rewatching a favorite sitcom aren’t as valuable as “real” social connections. According to the researcher, Gabriel, “We have evidence that as long as you feel like you’re fulfilling your belongingness needs, it doesn’t really matter how you do it.” It seems that the most important factor is using strategies that work for you. This news is probably reassuring from some of us who lean more towards introversion and/or experience social anxiety!
So, here you have it, empirical support for finding the balance that works for you! If running whole-hog back into the world of socializing feels daunting, consider this your permission slip to tip toe back into social interactions and supplement your social strategies with your sitcom BFFs.
Here are some of the non-traditional social strategies the CC team loves:
Playing with animals
Touching the earth
Listening to throwback music
Feeling the breeze on a nice day
Doodling/coloring
Reference: