Connecting with others is a vital part of the human experience. Healthy social connections can improve one’s ability to cope with stress and improve overall well-being. 

Some other benefits of healthy social connections include: 

• Reduced rates of depression and anxiety

• Better emotional regulation

• Faster recovery times from health impacts

Surprisingly, to reap the benefits of social connection, a person doesn't need to have lots of connections. It is all about the quality of the connections you have. A few healthy and meaningful connections can go a long way. 

In a time of physical distancing, it may seem difficult to maintain social connections and social support. Some of us aren’t seeing our roommates every day, we aren’t passing by friends when walking down Academic Row, or grabbing lunch in The Commons with our fellow organization members, but we are still together. 

To start, connect with people in these four areas of your life:

• Yourself

• Your family/relatives/loved ones

• Your friends

• Your partner (or a different person of your choosing)

To help you maintain connections with others during social distancing, try a few of these options:

• Sending a text

• Calling them on the phone 

• Using an online platform to talk face-to-face (e.g., Google Hangouts; Whatsapp; houseparty)

• Hosting a movie night (e.g., kast, netflixparty)

• Writing a thoughtful email or sending a letter in the mail

• Challenging a friend to a game of Connect 4, or another online game 

• Scheduling a virtual lunch or coffee meet-up

• Checking on your neighbors (if you are able to, pick up items for neighbors who might not be able to go to the store)

• Making new virtual connections (e.g., bumbleBFF, meetup, Huddle)

However you choose to connect during these times of social distancing, make it meaningful!

UMBC is hosting online events to help students stay connected to each other and their favorite departments and organizations. Visit myUMBC to learn about all of the upcoming online events, including events sponsored by

• Campus Life

• Counseling Center

• University Health Services/Health Promotion

• UMBC Recreation

• seb Student Events Board

When you hear (or read) the word movement, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? 

For some of us, it’s a run, for some it’s time at the gym, for others it could be walking your dog, or dancing to your favorite playlist. Movement doesn’t always mean exercise but it is always a chance to get our heart rate up above resting. 

The beauty of movement is that it is something we consciously and unconsciously experience all the time. As UMBC community members, we don’t often think about walking from the parking lot to our first destination of the day as movement. But it is. 

During our time of physical distancing and staying home, many of us are becoming sedentary, which negatively impacts our health. To combat risk related to sedentary lifestyle, we must intentionally incorporate movement into our daily routine. 

Some of the benefits of movement are: 

• Stress relief 

• Better mood

• Increased energy

• Loosening stiff muscles

• Weight management

• Lowering risks for chronic diseases in the future

• Improved concentration

So how can we incorporate more movement into our daily routine?

• Find something for you. 

• When trying to incorporate more intentional movement into your routine, it is important to pick something that you would actually like to do. For some of us, it could be taking a walk during the day or doing an indoor workout. 

• Schedule it. 

• Creating a schedule increases the likelihood of accomplishing a task. Treat movement as an event for the day. Select a time that works best for you and stick with it. Try using an activity planner. 

• Enlist a partner.

• Lots of things are better with friends, including getting active. Getting friends or family members to join you can create a sense of accountability and create stronger social connections. 

• While the CDC has asked that persons only physically interact with people who live with us, that doesn’t prevent you from getting active with others who don’t live with us. Use an online platform, such as Google Hangouts, Whatsapp, FaceTime, to connect with a partner during a planned time for movement. 

Together, let’s commit to incorporating more movement in our daily routines and getting active. 

UMBC is offering a number of ways for community members to stay active during physical distancing. Check out UMBC Recreation for resources to help you stay active! 

Want a few more options? Give these a try:

• 7-minute Workout App: Free app available for download

• Nike Training Club: Free app available for download

• Strava: Free app available for download

• Campus Well [Formerly Student Health 101]

• More At-Home Workouts

• AFSP Out of the Darkness Walk: Take a virtual walk with friends to raise awareness!