Posted by During this time of restrictions, it is very important for all of us to maintain social contact with family and friends. It’s recently been reported that social contact can boost immunity. By social contact, I don’t mean physical contact! Abide by the laws of your country and state to stay well!
As an Ex-Pat (one who has left their homeland and moved to another country), I am used to being apart from my loved ones. My family and I try to keep in touch every weekend, via the trusted land-line. That was working out fairly well when we actually had something to talk about. The current pandemic has changed everyone’s lives, and while we battle through confinement, many of us haven’t got much “news from the front” to report. If you’ve got the gift of the gab and small talk is your thing, this might not be an issue. For the rest of us, there is only so much you can say when you haven’t ventured beyond the end of your street for three weeks.
Does this mean communicating less? My elderly parents would say no! They need to hear their children’s voices. They would happily talk about how many millimeters my Basil plant has grown since last weekend, but my brothers and my own children would not! This means it’s time to be creative and use alternative methods to keep the interaction fresh! Consider using the following ideas.
Try new Video Apps!
When I really want to see my daughter’s beautiful face, or my brother’s neanderthal beard, I choose Facebook Messenger, Skype, or for the Europeans, WhatsApp Messenger. If you want to get more creative, Zoom is totally taking off for social media use, not just business. Houseparty is another video option, along with Google Hangouts. Then there’s Marco Polo which acts like Snapchat, a quick messaging app, and Tik Tok is a video making app. All of these are free at the basic level and IOS/Android compatible. Use your video app to show your family how well your herb garden is growing or the Chihuahua’s new haircut. Interact with the teenagers by trying out Tik Tok. A picture is worth a thousand words!
Send some Pizza love!
What says I love and miss you more than pizza? Try this Dominos email coupon and feel the adoration come flowing in!
Write me a letter!
Who doesn’t love the uniqueness of a handwritten letter? Once you have adjusted to the art of handwriting neatly, let your personal connection ooze through the page. Add artwork done by the kids, or articles clipped from your local newspaper or magazine. Anything to stimulate the senses and add in variety. Send a homemade birthday or Easter card. Attach a photograph!
April Showers send Spring Flowers!
Send flowers to your loved ones as a beautiful gesture. Many florists offer contactless delivery. When ordering internationally, I have always had good luck with Interflora
My favorite part-send gifts! Amazon is a great choice for this. I have clipped a few examples of gift baskets, and a nice Spring gift card. (Note: check delivery time-frames before ordering)
Now might be the time to convert those social-media resistors in your life to Facebook and Instagram, where they can experience a part of your life. Otherwise, encourage texting and emailing with photos attached.
Start a virtual Book Club! Send an Amazon gift card to the group, pick a book and off you go!
Until we can all be with our families and friends again, at the places we love, the small things make a big difference. For right now, stay at home, stay well.
