Creative Ways to Stay In Touch with Loved Ones Contactless

Most people build a full, rich life by leaving the house to seek out good company and experiences. However, the recent global virus lockdown has taken away our ability to socialize face-to-face, either by visiting others or having people over. This challenge is especially profound for people who live alone and elderly family members who are high-risk. The good news is that technology can help alleviate these feelings of isolation. Just as the business world has adapted through online orders and contact-free deliveries, we as a community can reconnect using chat, video calls, streaming, and social media. We’re here to help you find new, creative ways to stay in touch!

Get The Right Equipment

The first step is to get everyone in attendance. Anyone you want to socialize with needs to be able to connect online. Call them on the phone and work with tech-savvy members of the household to set up the following for each person:

• Computer (make sure your WiFi is working!)
• Web Camera and Microphone (or your laptop’s built-in camera and mic)
• (Optional) Headphones with Microphone
• Installed or Online Video Call Software (everyone will need the same one)

When everyone has put together their camera, microphone, and software combination, do a test call. Make sure everyone can be seen and heard and know how to use the program you've chosen. The most popular picks for video meeting platforms are Zoom and Skype.

Plan a Virtual Party with Games

Once everyone has their connections, take conversation and time together to the next level by planning something fun to do together! Turn a night of video chat into a family game night by playing fun multiplayer games. There are several packages and platforms that help parties of friends or family all log into the same online game and play together.

You can play online cards or board games, join a multiplayer game through Stream, or play fun guessing games and whiteboard games like Pictionary by just using the Zoom tools. You can also download Houseparty, a video chat app with games included that are specifically designed to keep friends and families connected.

Quarantine Book Swap or Virtual Reader's Club

Reading is a big part of passing the time and inspiring great conversation with your loved ones. If you share a love of good literature with friends or family, stay connected by forming a book club. There are a few different ways to do this. For those with a love of physical books or rare books you'd like to trade, arrange for a safe book-swap with carefully cleaned and plastic-wrapped books mailed or dropped off member-to-member. Alternatively, you can start a virtual book club by reading e-books of your choice and then comparing your thoughts as you read through. A virtual book club allows you all to read together with no risk of anything passing between households. You can even do the same thing by having one person acquire the best e-pub available and sharing it with the group. When you've read each other's books, you have a wonderful new set of conversation topics to share in your online meetings!

Start an Online Workout Group

Exercise is important for all of us, and many have trouble getting motivated to keep moving without an accountability buddy. If you have enjoyed workout classes in the past to get your blood pumping, there's no need to leave that behind! Get your best workout class friends together and start a virtual workout group instead. Pick a video workout course and all watch-and-follow together. You can also take turns leading if you are doing a simple stretching or meditation group. The simple camaraderie of exercising together is often what each of us needs to overcome our personal resistance to workouts. It feels nice, provides good company, and helps to keep everyone in your social group healthy while at home.

Eat Meals "Together"

Sharing meals is a big part of feeling close to your loved ones. Fill your home with company by leading a dinner group – virtually. Together, pick a recipe that you all will make together, like some of the ones we feature in every El Pueblo newspaper! When it's done, everyone can sit down and eat together on the video call. Families, individuals, and couples all separated can be brought together again by love and a good meal. You will feel the warmth of their company and everyone will appreciate the feeling of a large gathering of family and friends. Now more than ever, staying connected is important for the psyche. Try one of these new ideas on your next video chat and keep contactless contact fun!