Socially Distant, Emotionally Connected
The holidays are coming up. But they’re going to look a little different this year. The pandemic has changed everything, from the way we grocery shop to the way we learn, and the holidays will certainly be impacted. Even though we are socially distant, we can still be emotionally connected to the people we care about. Let’s talk about navigating the holidays this year!
Strategies to stay connected:
Even if we can’t be together physically, we can still participate in the same experiences. This can help us feel more connected to the people in our lives. Here are some strategies to connect with others:
Snail Mail: Write letters to the people in your life! They will certainly appreciate it and may even send you one back.
Shared Meals: Cook or purchase the same meal as someone and have a face time/zoom dinner together.
Virtual book club: Start a book club with friends and catch up every week through whatever social media platform works best for you.
Add it to the Calendar: Schedule calls or hangouts with friends and family in advance. If you plan for it, it’s more likely to happen. You can also designate a day and time during the week to reaching out to others.
Care Packages: Send a care package to someone you care about. Fill a box with goodies and surprise a friend. These can even be holiday-themed
Picture of the day: Share a picture of something from your day with someone and have them share a picture back. This can be something as simple as what you had for breakfast or something you saw on your walk. This is an easy way to take part in each other’s day.
Technology is your friend:
Technology can be overwhelming, but it’s also a great tool for us to connect. There are so many different platforms to help us connect. From sharing playlists to hosting a virtual game night, the options are endless. Here are a few ideas:
Spotify: Create a collaborative playlist and share with family or friends. Anyone can add to the playlist, and anyone can listen to it!
Netflix Party: This Google Chrome extension synchronizes Netflix shows and movies and also offers a chat function. You can use this tool to have a virtual movie night and watch your favorite holiday movies with family.
Houseparty: This is a video group chat app that supports interactive games similar to Pictionary, Trivia or Charades. Host a virtual game night with friends or family!
Who to Connect with:
Okay – so now you know how to connect with others. But who are some people you can reach out to? Here’s a list of people you can start checking in with:
Parents and grandparents: Your parents and grandparents will always appreciate a call from you!
Neighbors: Check-in on your neighbors, especially those that are elderly or live alone. They may need a little extra support.
Coworkers: Many organizations are still working from home. Reach out to coworkers and say hello!
Students: It’s a difficult time to be a student right now. Schools and colleges look very different. You can support the students in your life by checking in with them.
People who live alone: It can be especially isolating to live alone right now. Check-in on anyone you know that lives alone and set up a time to chat.
Believe it or not, being socially connected can improve your mental health. The holidays might look different this year, but that doesn’t mean we can’t still be with the people we care about in different ways. Connection to others is such an important part of the human experience, and we hope that we gave you a few fun ideas for how to connect with your love