Connected From Afar
Keeping connected as we age, especially during the time of COVID, may seem like a challenge, but technology has made it easier than ever. Read on to learn about different technologies that can help you stay close to your loved ones, no matter age or distance.
Many families live dispersed throughout the country and world, which makes staying in touch challenging. Smartphones have done a lot to close the emotional distance between people, even when the physical distance remains the same. Some families use group chats, providing easy access to ongoing conversations that all members of the chat can participate in and enjoy. Texting has its limitations, though. The following social media platforms can serve a similar function and offer unique benefits. Consider how these platforms might help you connect:
Digital Platforms for Connection
- Facebook: Facebook has become one of the most well-known social media platforms since its launch in 2004. It is a place to share your thoughts and photos and keep up-to-date on any interests or hobbies you may have. The Facebook Group feature allows users to gather around a topic of interest ranging from cars to cats and can be a good resource for people looking to pursue a new hobby. Because Facebook allows you to “friend” people and adjust your privacy settings, it can also be a good place to share memories and keep in contact with people who are close to you.
- Facebook Messenger: Facebook also has a Messenger feature, which, much like texting, allows you to message individuals and groups of people and share images and videos. The Facebook room feature enables you to call and video chat even people who don’t have Facebook accounts. If you are looking to keep up with your multi-generational family, this may be a good option for you.
- Instagram: Instagram is an image-dominated social media platform popular among younger generations and can be a good place to connect and keep in contact with your younger relatives. Because Instagram isn’t as text-heavy as Facebook, it is not the most conducive to meaningful conversations—but it is certainly an immersive platform that can be fun to browse. Instagram’s tagging feature allows you to search the platform by keyword, which can connect you to places and things you’ve never seen before, making it a fun way to research vacations, products, and personalities.
- FaceTime video call technology is another way to stay connected from afar. Because FaceTime calls can occur on phones, tablets, and computers, and because the calls have video capabilities, FaceTime is versatile and intimate.
- Zoom video conferencing is quite similar to FaceTime but works best for groups of people. If you have a birthday or other milestone to celebrate with a group of people, Zoom is a great option.
No matter what medium you choose to reach out to a loved one, you can be sure that unlike the old saying goes, the medium is not the message: your heartfelt words are. In this uncertain time, reaching out to say hello; however you do it, is a meaningful way to show you care.
Write Your Life
The Benefits of Journaling
When you write something down—whether it’s a grocery list or a memory—you work to cement it into your brain. The act of writing also helps your mind process events. As with any habit, getting into the practice of journaling takes time and effort, but the benefits are tremendous. Not only do you create a tangible record of your day-to-day life, but you can also strengthen your mind.
In an illuminating study out of the University of Texas at Austin, researcher James Pennebaker found that when people wrote about uncertain things, their physical health improved. By voluntarily exposing themselves to uncertain or complicated memories and experiences, the research subjects were increasingly less affected by the negative response the uncertainty of these memories brought up. Mapping out your experiences can help you understand them more fully, and this can lead to stress reduction and improved health.
Getting Started
You don’t need much activation energy to begin reaping the rewards of a regular journaling practice. First, designate a time to journal. It’s easiest to add to the existing structure of your day, and you are more likely to continue the practice, if you journal at a set time, so consider setting aside the same time each day. Some people prefer to journal with pen and paper, and others prefer to type on the computer. Each method has its pros and cons, but whatever method you decide to use, make sure that your journal is easily accessible. Keep your computer or journal in the same place, preferably in an area of your home that is conducive to journaling, such as a desk or next to your bed.
Reflecting on the Past
Personal writing can do more than just document the day-to-day: you can also use it as a tool to understand your past. This can seem like a daunting task, so try dividing up periods of your life and take on writing about those different periods one at a time. Whether you are writing about a memory from your childhood or what you did this morning, once you start journaling, it can be hard to stop because you may realize you have more to say than you initially thought was possible. No matter if you journal in the morning to prepare yourself for the day or in the evening to reflect and relax, being the author of your experiences is a powerful way to take the reins of your life.
