As many more people are getting vaccinated and we are easing back into “normalcy” lots of people also have fears about how to interact with others again and what that might feel like in person. I really like this article in The New York Times because it gives concrete suggestions for some things to do to lean back into socializing with others in person.

The cliffnotes version is to share food with someone, tell a joke in person, ask someone what they’re listening to or reading right now, reach out to someone you’ve lost touch with, talk to a stranger, move with someone, sit quietly with someone, and make a date for the future. The article has more detailed reasons about why all of these are helpful.

Some of you introverts out there may be thinking you don’t care about going back to socializing ever, but it really is something that brings joy and longer life. We are social animals, and one of the detriments to a year of mostly isolation is that it seems like we’ve become accustomed to “othering” each other in the absence of regular social interactions.

If you need more convincing, I love this TED Talk for information on social interactions and longevity:

The Italian island of Sardinia has more than six times as many centenarians as the mainland and ten times as many as North America. Why? According to psychologist Susan Pinker, it's not a sunny disposition or a low-fat, gluten-free diet that keeps the islanders healthy -- it's their emphasis on close personal relationships and face-to-face interactions.