Creative Online Resources to Keep Families Connected During the Pandemic According to Jeff Ber
The pandemic has put a major strain on everyone’s mental health. From being laid off to being disconnected from family and friends, we have all had to make the best of an unfortunate situation. As the VP of Operations at OneBall, a charitable organization providing meaningful assistance through the testicular cancer journey, Jeff Ber understands the role that social support plays in maintaining positive mental health. As we approach the one-year mark of quarantine, Jeff Ber explains that it has become increasingly important to stay connected with our loved ones — even as pandemic fatigue settles in. If you’re looking for new ways to stay in touch, he has created a list of some of his favorite activities that keep things interesting.
Video Chat
Being unable to see one another in person has forced us all to rely heavily on technology to stay connected. Whether it is through text messages, emails, or video calls, Jeff Ber explains that there is a lot of room for creativity — the only limit is your imagination! What do you normally enjoy doing with loved ones? Eating? Baking? Playing games? Video calls allow us to do all of the above, with a few adjustments of course. Choosing an activity to do over video chat is a great way to give yourself something to look forward to. Whether it is ordering from the same restaurant, trying a new cookie recipe, or playing battleships online, the possibilities for connection are endless.
Write to Your Family and Friends
It is important to employ a little bit of ingenuity in how we connect. Jeff Ber explains that something as simple as writing a letter or sending a card can be the ‘pick me up’ that your loved one needs. As easy as it is to send a text message or e-mail, sending a physical piece of mail can be a great way to brighten up someone’s day. He also claims that sending flowers or delivering food to someone is a nice way to ‘show up’ for them even when you can’t be there in person. It is a simple, affordable, but impactful gesture.
Engage in Socially Distant Activities
While winter poses unique challenges when considering gathering outdoors, Jeff Ber explains that going for a short walk with a loved one can help lift your spirits and give you an excuse to get some exercise. Even if it is a 30-minute get-together outside of your home, connecting face to face every couple of months can be extremely impactful. Another great idea is baking cookies, banana bread, or treats for your loved ones, and delivering them personally for a quick face-to-face connection.
Watch a Movie Together
If you’ve spent the past 10 months locked down at home, you know that every day starts to feel the same. If you have difficulty finding things to talk to your loved ones about, consider watching a movie or TV show together. Netflix Party, HouseParty, Gaze, and other platforms allow you to watch the same thing at the same time, all the while talking or typing in-between. Sometimes it is comforting just to spend time in someone else’s company.
