As the weather gets warmer, if we are still under the Safe At Home directive, maybe put some chairs or a bench on your front lawn and consider starting the After 6 p.m. in the Neighborhood on your block. In our neighborhood we have a facebook page. It is a closed group that neighbors can join or be invited to. This has been helpful in connecting to our neighbors at this time, but you could also put a chalkboard sign up or a poster to catch people who are outside.
According to Dean Ornish, M.D., clinical professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco and founder of the Preventive Medicine Research Institute, “Spreading fear and loathing about the coronavirus may, ironically, increase the risk of getting sick. Fear can be self-fulfilling to the extent that it does suppress immune function and makes someone more likely to get the very disease they’re most afraid of. Also, staying at home and social distancing help prevent transmission of the virus, but feeling lonely can be harmful to your health. Study after study has shown that people who are lonely and isolated are 3-10 times more likely to get sick and die prematurely of virtually all causes when compared to those who have a strong sense of love and community. Fortunately, there are many things we can do to enhance our immune function to help protect us. While it’s important to stay at home, wash your hands, disinfect, etc., it’s also wise to spend more time socializing with family members who are living with you as well using video or just audio technologies like Zoom or the phone to virtually spend time with friends and family in other places.”
I know this is a very serious and nervous time, but when doing our part means staying home for weeks on end, it is important to connect with our neighbors to lift our spirits! I invite the community to get creative with this. Maybe we will see some great local talent that we can learn about together.
I know on our block we have some band members, I would love to hear them play some tunes for the neighbors. Maybe we could turn up the music and have a dance party? Maybe we have someone who could lead us in some stretches, exercise, or yoga? Or maybe a local talent show staring the children, a side-walk chalk art or uplifting messages contest, or a dog tricks, hula hoop, jump rope or Karaoke contest? Also, we could just garden our yard at the same time, or grow a victory garden and share produce? And of course, there is the ever-popular happy hour.
I am looking for the silver linings in this situation and maybe it is the realization of how important our relationships are to our health and happiness? I am hopeful we will shift our priorities to reflect this on the other side of this crisis. Maybe even slow our pace a bit.
