This pandemic has been hard! In many, unprecedented ways, we are all trying to figure out how to cope and manage the stress of the coronavirus shutdowns, restrictions, and isolation.
For a lot of us, it has been especially difficult in the lead-up to holidays, knowing that it may be the first time in our lives when we don’t get to spend the season with our loved ones. In order to combat the pain of not being physically together during the holidays, here are some tips on how to get connected with a family that is not geographically close to you in the coming months, specifically how to utilize the technology we have now to feel close!
Here Are Four Ways to Stay Connected:
1. Holiday decorating party.
I know I LOVE decorating for any holiday throughout the year. Whether it’s Thanksgiving, Valentine’s Day, or anything else, I cannot pass up the opportunity to get into the spirit! Schedule a time where, over Zoom or FaceTime, you and your family members could decorate for the coming holidays at the same time, sharing favorite music with a joint playlist, or watching a movie together while putting up the decorations.
2. Themed dinners.
It may seem like eating together over a video conference app has gotten old since the pandemic started in March. However, a themed dinner might be a great way to get more excited about eating together as a family. Picking a theme such as regional cuisine, a country, a family favorite movie, or anything else that your family enjoys together can be used as a theme for dinner over FaceTime or Zoom. Some of those apps even allow a virtual background, which makes it an even more fun experience to see your family members in a steakhouse, on the beach, or in your favorite city.
3. Family game night.
The last suggestion I will leave here is a
virtual game night using video apps. There are a ton of different options for virtual board games or card games that your family could use to get into that competitive family spirit we all cherish around the holidays. Set a time that the family can all log in and laugh together over a game of CodeNames or Go Fish. Whatever your family’s favorite game might be, it’s worth looking into finding a virtual version. Maybe each family has their own Monopoly board that can be updated when the other family members’ turn comes!
Creativity is key when the holidays come around during the pandemic. The traditions that many of us will miss in person can still be achieved with some minor adjustments. Even new traditions may come about due to the unique circumstances we find ourselves in now. With a positive pattern of thinking, we can still stay connected and enjoy the holidays even during COVID-19.
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About Jack Fox:
Jack graduated from the College of William and Mary with a B.S. in Psychology. He recently finished his graduate work at Regent University with an M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Throughout his studies, Jack has seen and worked with many clients. His clients have been adolescents and adults, struggling with depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, adjustment issues. He has even worked with people with a desire to get to know themselves just a little bit better! The more Jack has worked with people, the more a simple truth has come to light: You are not alone!
Jack believes that success in therapy results from a combination of understanding first what is dysfunctional, then where the dysfunction comes from. To learn more about Jack, visit HERE.
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