Social contacts, do we even remember what they are?

March 4, 2021 by Max Gosens – Integrand Utrecht

February 27, 2020, the first corona case in the Netherlands. A year later, we haven’t experienced much social contact. We are living in a difficult time, that’s clear. Students have been deprived of their ‘freedom’ while being isolated like loners, while the rest of society is under pressure. Not fun and we know it’s tough for everyone. In a survey by Caring Universities, an initiative of four universities, at least half of the students said they felt lonely and had difficulty keeping it together. With entertainment venues closed and only being able to meet two people on the street, it’s understandable. That’s why we have some tips for you to make this time more bearable.

1. Walking

Of course, it’s not possible to sit in a park with your entire group of friends. Unfortunately, the rules don’t allow gatherings of more than two people outdoors. Do you still want to catch up with each other? Take a walk around the city. Walking around the canals in Utrecht, with an occasional detour through the city center, is already a lot of fun to do. In Rotterdam, you can walk around the Kralingen Lake, or in Maastricht, take a trip to Sint-Pieter and the ENCI quarry. All very simple and accessible. If you are with more than two people, split up into pairs so you can still catch up while maintaining distance. And don’t forget one thing: the new phenomenon, Glühwalking. Walking while grabbing a glass of Glühwein at each stand. This can be done in almost every student city, so dress warmly, put on a beanie, and take a walk through the city. You’ll be surprised at how many nice parts of the city you may have never seen before. Check here for the best tips in Amsterdam and Rotterdam.

2. Sports

From March 2, young adults between the ages of 18 and 27 are also allowed to play team sports again without maintaining a 1.5-meter distance. For many students, this is a relief since most haven’t set foot on a sports field since October. Grab your hockey stick, organize a boot camp in Vondelpark, or meet with your soccer team to play a match and get some exercise. In short, plenty of opportunities to get moving and stay active. Read here the article from last week about exercising during Corona times.

3. Day trip

Outgoing Prime Minister Rutte has said that for the time being, it’s not advisable to go on vacation outside the Netherlands. But that doesn’t mean it has to be bad. The Netherlands is a beautiful country. Take the train—or even better, your bike—to Zandvoort or Noordwijk and enjoy the beautiful beaches. The Netherlands also has many beautiful natural areas, such as the Hoge Veluwe, the Loonse and Drunense Dunes, and the Utrechtse Heuvelrug. You could also book a lovely overnight stay on Texel or visit the many attractions in Maastricht or the tri-border region to discover the natural surroundings there. Want to see more day trip ideas? Click here.

All in all, if you get a little creative, you can still manage well. Keep the measures in mind when meeting friends, acquaintances, or family. Then you’ll be back sooner and faster. Also, check out one of our previous articles on how to stay active during this difficult time!