In today’s blog, we are discussing ways to stay connected with friends and loved ones during this extended period of separation. As most of us continue to social distance for the health of ourselves and our communities, it can definitely feel like we are alone at times. It’s hard not to speculate on when this might end, and it can get to be a bit down for that reason. But let’s focus on what we can do in the present moment – let’s be mindful – and focus on connecting with others.
What we can do is stay connected via technology! There are many free apps on the market right now that you simply have to download to your device (laptop, iPad, smart phone) to be able to use. Here is a quick guide to apps that you can use!
Skype
Skype has been around for a while, so you may have heard of it before. You simply download the Skype app and create an account, where you can video chat with other Skype users. This is best for just a simple video chat.
Houseparty
Houseparty is a fun app that you can play virtual games on! All you have to do is download the app, create an account and add your friends to the virtual party. From there, you can video chat, play a drawing game or even trivia! It’s a good way for a group of people to connect and have fun.
Zoom
Zoom is an app commonly used for quality video conferencing. You may be using this one to connect at work – we know we at Nightingale have! One person creates a video chat and sends out a password that you can use to join. Your first 45 minutes of video chatting are free.
Google Hangouts
Google Hangouts allows messaging, voice or video calls for up to 10 people. If you have a google account already, such as a gmail account, you are already “signed up” so to speak, therefore this is a great option for convenience. It also syncs across all devices, making it easy to pick up your phone or computer and connect.
