Staying Connected

Today was my daughter-in-law's birthday and we were able to have a virtual birthday party over zoom!  I know it's not the same as being together in person, but even if we weren't in the middle of this coronavirus crisis, we wouldn't have been able to get together because of distance and the snow storm that's currently going on in Colorado! Luckily, I've been kind of a geek about virtual teaming for years and it's coming in handy now.

There are SO many wonderful apps and resources available to us in this digital age! I'm barely scratching the surface here, so chime in with your own ideas!

Exercise 

• There are lots of exercise YouTube videos. Here's a Zumba workout that I love!
• Walk! Check out this Walk With a Doc Facebook Group with advice about walking and still "physical distancing."
• Use apps that will challenge you and let you share or compete with friends and family. For example, here's a 7-minute workout from MyFitnessPal.

Learn Something New or Practice a Skill

• So many free virtual learning opportunities! One of my favorites: The Science of Happiness
• Take an Udemy Class. I'm going to finally learn more about my Mac and iMovie so I can make some movies!
• Practice an instrument and learn some new music. Then shoot a video of yourself and post online for your own little virtual recital.
• Try coordinating a song, dance, or musical piece where each person does their part and then compile together like this school choir did.
• Use Duolingo to learn a language and Conversation Exchange to practice with a native speaker!
• Practice your photography skills and post on Instagram or other social media.
• If you like to write, start a blog, or join a writer's group, where you can share and critique one another.
• Here's a site with lots of great online learning resources for teachers or parents who have kids home from school
• Paint a picture or work on an art project

Socialize - (at a distance)

• Here are some great ideas for throwing a virtual birthday party that can be adapted to any day of socializing with a friend or family member when you can't be there in person.
• Watch a movie with friends using Kast.
• Talk on the phone using an app that let's you see each other like: FaceTime, Skype, WhatsApp, Zoom, etc
• Watch a movie, a broadway play, or read a book, and then have a "virtual happy hour" over Zoom as you talk about it together.  The drinks will be cheap and no worries about getting an Uber home!
• Find an online group or forum that shares your passion and make some new virtual friends. Share, help and support each other.
• Share links to your favorite videos, send photos, or send an old fashioned snail mail card or letter to friends and family.
• Play games! There are plenty online. Tonight we played some jackbox.tv games.
• Take a picture a day that matches the day's crazy holiday or of anything that makes you happy.

Help someone

• Call friends or family who are isolated, vulnerable, or scared, and listen.
• Order food from places that are doing takeout.
• Share your toilet paper, hand sanitizer, or face masks if you know of people who need it.
• Be patient and kind to everyone you interact with.
• Let people know you're thinking of them, maybe with a surprise call, gift, letter, or photo.
• If you're going to the grocery store,  get food for a neighbor or friend and leave it on their doorstep)
• Look out for older, vulnerable people who are out in public. When my 84-year-old mother went to Costco to pick up a hearing aid, a very kind woman notified an employee who was able to take my mother away from the crowds and get her in and out very quickly and safely.
• Offer to help someone online with a skill you might have that they need help with.
• Look for virtual opportunities to volunteer.
• Stay positive!

What ideas do you have?