Self-Care Series Part 3: Support Networks

Creating and maintaining our support networks is vital to practicing self-care. In the days of COVID-19, even as restrictions lessen in Nova Scotia, it remains difficult to keep our social lives healthy. Despite the technology we possess, reaching out can be hard!

Knowing we have friends who love and support us without judgment allows us freedom and the peace of mind that we are not alone. Our socially isolated lifestyles can drain us, meaning we don’t always have the energy to nurture our closest friendships. Vulnerability and truth-telling affirm intimacy and support among pals, and keeps the love going; even when you can’t see one another often.

To help re-affirm your relationships, here are some ideas for staying social in trying times.

• Order flowers, and have them delivered to each of your close friends!

• Tell your pal how proud you are of them for everything they’ve accomplished. Let them know that you’ll be there for them no matter what, and that they will always find love and support in you.

• Plan a romantic dinner date, spa date, or wine date with your bestie over video chat! It can be fun to have different take-out boxes!

• Recall a time your pal helped you out, and hit them back with a token of your appreciation, whether it be a small gift or just a phone call to let them know how much their support meant to you in that time.

• Write a cute, romantic, snail mail love letter (the more glitter the better!) to a favourite friend who isn’t in town anymore. Remember you have to send a letter to get a letter!