How to Help Others While Social Distancing

How to Help Others While Social Distancing

We are living in times of uncertainty right now. While most of us are blessed enough to be in good health, have a safe home and enough food–others are not.

Right now, the most vulnerable are at the most risk. Those that are low-income, elderly, wee ones, and those of all ages that are immunocompromised.

One thing that is for certain is that we should all be responsible and do our part. That means social distancing, staying home if we don’t need to go out and no traveling.

If you need some fun crafts, easy recipes or new things to learn, I got you.

We should try to keep cool, have a plan, don’t hoard, and most importantly, be kind to one another. Right now, more than ever, we need kindness in a world that is suffering.

Read on for ways to help others while social distancing.

Be Kind to Everyone

First and foremost, be kind to everyone. We are all worried about the future and we all had worries before this, so this amplifies that.

Be kind to cashiers, and anyone who serves you. They are out there risking themselves in order to serve your community.

If there is a long line, if they are out of products you need, do NOT take it out on them. Instead, thank them, ask them how they are holding up.

Help Local Businesses and Restaurants

Right now most businesses and restaurants have closed their doors. Whether temporarily or shut down their dining rooms.

These small businesses are doing their part to minimize the risk of community spread. I know for sure that Uber Eats is featuring local restaurants and waiving delivery fees in US/CAN.

Why not open up your favourite app like Uber Eats (you can use my Uber Eats promo code ‘eats-090jc‘ to get $20 off a $15 order) or DoorDash ( you can use my link to get $5 off your first 4 orders) and order some grub?

Even if it’s once a week, it can make a difference to businesses that are vital to your community.

Buy Gift Cards to Local Businesses

This one is really simple and one that can help your community. Support local businesses like restaurants, salons, and other shops by buying gift cards online.

If you were planning on buying something, working on a project, getting your hair, nails, or lashes done later this year, you can buy now and use them later!

Donate to Your Local Food Bank

As aforementioned, the most vulnerable right now are at risk of not having enough to eat. Not everyone has the ability to stock up on extra beyond their weekly grocery budget.

Some are dependent on food banks to get by.

If you’re able to, get in contact with your local food bank and see what they need. You can get it delivered or arrange a no-contact drop-off.

Now that most schools are closed, you can support families whose kids depended on breakfast programs for a meal every day.

If you’re in the US, you can support Blessings in a Backpack. They have arranged a plan to support these families through COVID-19.

You can also donate to Meals on Wheels, they will deliver meals to the elderly.

Support a Freelancer

There are many services that you can enlist today while in your jammies. For example, you can hire a graphic designer, a virtual assistant or commission an artist.

You can visit the pages, channels, social channels of your favourite creators, bloggers, and social media faves. A lot of us are dependent on traffic and engagement to support our families.

If you want to check out what I’m doing, check me out on Instagram for my virtual road trip in Texas and Mexico I’ll be sharing, on Twitter, I share fun stuff and breaking news, and on Pinterest, I share amazing recipes, crafts, and more!

Visiting bloggers’ websites or liking their content is incredibly appreciated.

The fact you are here reading this means so much, so thank you for visiting today.

Check-In On Your Neighbours

Especially the ones that you know might need an extra hand. Your elderly neighbours who might not have the means to get groceries or medications.

Offer to get groceries delivered to them or if you are making a trip, ask them if they need anything.

If you have neighbours who are struggling to find childcare because they are still working, if you can, offer to watch the kids.

Even if it’s one day, it can make a huge difference for them.

Be CARING TO gRADS

While most kids are happy to be off from school, if you have a Class of 2020 student or know one, give them a hug.

Understand that they are losing a lot this year and are still not sure what will happen if school is out until September. That means losing grad trips, prom, and graduation.

While they aren’t the worst things to lose, to a teenager, they are rites of passages we all had the luxury to have. Let’s hope for a good outcome for them!

Practice Social Distancing but Not Emotional Distancing

Stay in contact with your friends, family, and neighbours. It’s a time where being in close quarters with large groups is not beneficial to anyone.

There are still ways to stay in contact with FaceTiming, Google Duo, emails, texting, or old-fashioned phone calls.

You May Also Like:

• How to Protect Yourself During Cold and Flu Season
• Your Baby Has a Cold: 8 Things to Do to Help
• Tips for New Moms During Cold Season

While the future may seem uncertain, one thing is for certain is that kindness goes a long way.

Be kind to one another, thank your cashiers, support our frontline workers, and truck drivers who are helping all of us.

We will get through this together.

Do you have any other ways to help others while social distancing?

Let me know, til then–cheers m’deres!

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Nancy Polanco

Nancy Polanco is a freelance journalist, lifestyle content creator, and editor of Whispered Inspirations. She is a proud Mom to Gabby and Michaela and partner and best friend to Darasak. Having worked as part of a health care team for almost a decade, Nancy is happy to be back to her passion. She is a contributor to the Huffington Post, TODAY’s Parents, and an Oprah Magazine Brand Ambassador.