In Recreation Therapy we use and focus on different domains to help support our patients/clients/residents. These domains help to guide us in determining what each person needs to achieve a high quality of life.
One that use is the social domain. Thats right, socialization actually plays a key role in our ability to achieve a high quality of life.
With that said, social/physical distancing is still important. In fact it isn’t even an option, its a must. Please, if you do nothing else this week focus on staying 2m apart.
Now I know, I know. You’re probably wondering where I’m going with this. First I tell you that socialization is incredibly important and then I tell you to stay home. So whats my deal? Well, I’m going to tell you!
My job is to look at ways to overcome barriers, ways to help all of the people I support succeed in all domains, no matter what. My job is to come up with solutions not problems. So that is what this post is focused on.
This post is going to be all about ways that you, your child, your neighbour, your best friend, your teacher and your fourth cousin twice removed can be social while maintaining social distancing.
Facebook is one social media platform that can be used to stay in touch with those you love while respecting physical distancing. I personally like facebook because of all of the features it has available. On top of that, facebook is a very multi-device user friendly platform meaning you can easily use it on your phones, computers, tablets, laptops, ect.
Some of my favourite features include
- Messaging. Facebook allows you to have private conversations with your friends or create group chats with multiple different people you want to talk to at once. If you’re using facebook on your phone you’ll need to download the messenger app but its extremely friendly to use.
- Kid Friendly. Do your kids want to chat with family members and friends? Facebook has a kid friendly messaging app just for kids. You have the ability to see who they’re talk to and what they’re talking about, helping keep your mind at ease.
- Video Chat. If your device has a camera built in or you have an external webcam you can even video chat with your friends.
- Sharing. Facebook makes it super easy for you share fun posts and information you’ve found online with those in your life. You can share posts in the messaging area, on your timeline, on a friends timeline or in a group.
- Go Live. Have something you want to share with the world? Feel like putting on a concert from your living room? Go live on facebook and you can do just that!
There last two weeks I have had the opportunity to teach multiple different residents at my retirement home how to use Facebook. Seeing their smiles light up when they see family photos, how exciting gifs are and how many friends they can connect with online has been amazing!
It’s an easy platform to use and if you need any help, let me know. I’m not a Facebook teaching pro 😉
While you’re at home, unsure of what to do, what do a lot of us do? We take photos. If you’r worried about flooding your friends facebook timelines with photos, instagram is a great solution.
This app is specifically designed for people who just want to post photos and videos. No one will get sick of your photos and videos because that exactly what this app is design for! You can add cute captions, edit your photos right in the app, tag your location and tag the individuals you are self-isolating with.
Some fun instagram features you might want to know about
- Messaging. Instagram also has messaging available should you want to share a post with a certain someone.
- Group Chats. You can do group chats with Instagram, just be warned that there is a cap on how many you can have (so no you can’t have a group chat of 100 people).
- While you can also use Instagram on your desktop, the app is definitely more user friendly while on your mobile device.
- Go Live. Instagram is another app that gives you the ability to go live and talk in real time with those you are connected with.
- Privacy. Worried about sharing your photos and videos with the entire world? You have the ability to change your profile to private meaning you get to accept who can and cannot see all of your posts.
Twitter is great if you like when things are kept short and sweet. I say this because if you aren’t familiar with twitter you should be aware that all “tweets” (the posts you make on twitter) cannot contain more than 280 characters. If you have to work on being more concise in your writing, this is a great platform to do just that.
I particularly like twitter because the have an area on their site that allows you to view topics that are currently trending in your area, country, the entire world, ect. I like knowing what is going on in the news and Twitter allows me to stay up to date without needing to read articles that would take me 10 minutes to get through.
If you want to up your tweeting game though you can use hashtags and include photos, videos and links.
Snapchat
Snapchat is a fun way to have conversations. This app was designed so that you could have conversations with your friends but through photos! With that said the app has dramatically uped their features and now it is for so much more.
Some of features that I enjoy the most are
- The filters. Snapchat has filters that you can put on your photos from a flower crown to turning you into a dog or adding a beard to your face. There filters are a ton of fun to play with and allow you to be even more creative with the photos you send!
- Group Chats. Snapchat now allows groups conversations (Just like instagram there is a cap on the amount of people) that allow you to send photos and chat with multiple friends at a time.
- Video Chat. While I rarely use the Snapchat video chat, I do like using it from time to time with some of my group chats. Its just an easy way to have a group video chat with multiple different people.
- Stories. I know that Facebook and Instagram have stories too, but I find that people tend to post funnier photos to their Snapchat. I don’t know if its just me and the people in my life, but I get way more laughter on here.
If you want to see each other but aren’t interested in those long video chats, Snapchat is your way to go.
Video Calls
There are so many apps and websites that you can use to have video chats with friends. Not sure what ones to use? Here are some of the ones that I love to use to chat with the people in my life.
- FaceTime. For all of you apple users out there (iPhone, iPad, MacBook) FaceTime is a great option for you. It’s super easy to use and is already built in to your device so you don’t even need to worry about using it. The only down side is that you both need to have an apple device in order to use it.
- Skype. Skype has been around FOREVER, I mean I remember using it in elementary school. It’s a user friendly (for the most part) video chatting site that can allow you to connect with those in your life. It can be downloaded on any device that has a built in camera or that an external webcam can be plugged into.
- Google Hangouts. If your a google fan, google hangouts is the way to go. I’ve honestly only really used it for work and school related video chats but I know a lot of people use it to just chat with friends. If google docs and slides are in your comfort zone you will definitely be comfortable using hangouts.
- Zoom. Zoom is on the up and up and I think part of this comes from the fact that it is incredibly user friendly. I have become super comfortable with it over the last few weeks helping some of my residents connect with their friends and family on their personal devices. Perk, its free to use and if you’re on a desktop or laptop you don’t even need to download it!
Phone Calls
I know, I know. Old fashioned, right? But the reality is it works.
Technology isn’t for everyone and using some of these sites and apps can be overwhelming for individuals who are familiar with them. This goes for anyone, any age and generation. If you have someone in your life who isn’t comfortable using the internets, downloading different apps and scrolling the web, pick up the phone and give them a call.
You may not be able to see them, but I have no doubt that they’ll appreciate hearing your voice.
Texting
Again, I know that it is simple but it works. While it’s not as nice as hearing their voice or seeing their face, texting is a great way to chat and stay in touch with friends and family.
To up your texting game, try playing a game. Something like 20 questions, where they can ask you 20 questions to help figure out what object/animal/person you’re thinking of.
I really don’t think that I need to explain this one. Email allows you send photos, videos, links, and messages to anyone. For those people in your life that don’t have a texting device (yes, its true, not everyone has one) email can be a great alternative.
It may not be instant but conversations can still be had and they will probably be even longer than your typical 10 word text message.
Hand Written Letters
I literally just mailed about 15 letters this past weekend. While my hand was sore and my writing progressively got worse throughout them, I absolutely loved it. There is just something so special about taking the time to put pen to paper for the special people in your life.
This is a great way for your kids to practice their writing and drawing skills to. Reach out to children’s friends and get their postal code. We all know how exciting it is to get something in the mail (especially for all the adults who are used to just bills!).
Consider reaching out to your local retirement/long term care facility too, I can guarantee some of those residents would love to receive a letter or two.
Smoke Signals
This one may be a little bit of a stretch but think about how much fun it will be telling your children that they can call Batman! You will be their hero.
While I haven’t done this personally, I have been told there are even some great “how to” videos on the internet.
Walkie Talkies
I kind of love this idea and am seriously contemplating ordering some on Amazon right now. This one brings me right back to my childhood and using walkie talkies with my best friend!
You can get them super cheap and they’re very kid friendly making these a great activity that can keep your children busy. If they have a friend that lives near by, drop one of to them. This will allow them to keep talking while keeping the necessary distance!
I also highly support adults buying this to use themselves because there is absolutely no age limit on fun!
Chalk
I’ve seen some really cute conversations had through chalk these past few weeks while driving to and from work, from both children and adults. All you need is some chalk and a piece of pavement to write on!
Some of my favourite have been
- Asking a question like “How are you doing today?” and encouraging people to write out a response
- Inspiring messages
- Creating hopscotch designs for people out for a walk
- Saying hello to specific people they know will be walking by
- Writing challenges to other people
I genuinely love these messages and conversations though, I also love that people are getting out and about. Just remember physical distancing!
Sign Language
Sign Language is such a beautiful language, one that I have a deep love for. While you’re spending some time at home looking for things to do, try learning it. There are some easy how to books, youtube videos and printables online. You can learn alone or challenge a friend to learn it too.
Instead of yelling across the road at your neighbour you can sign to each other. Less disruption to those around you but conversations can still be had.
Learning sign language is also a great way that you can become an ally for individuals in the deaf and hard of hearing community!
Megaphones
I say with the hope that you will be respectful to those that live around you and not do this really early in the morning or really late at night. Lets be kind and courteous.
Megaphones will allow your voice to carry even further meaning that you can definitely ensure you’re keeping your physical distance from others. In face, megaphones will actually encourage physical distancing because no one wants to stand near the person talking into a megaphone. Highly recommend giving it a try!
Window Signs
Window signs have been blowing up all over the internet and I am ALL for it. If you haven’t seen this trend I highly recommend googling it because they are ADORABLE.
I’ve seen signs for first responders, best friends, family members, and just the general community. I’ve seen positive quotes, cute pictures, messages of hope, game ideas, crafts the individuals have made and just overall cute designs for people to see while out and about.
Physical distancing isn’t a suggestion, it’s a must. We need to do this to keep everyone safe. Don’t put those around you at risk, use these suggestions as ways you can keep socialization while helping to protect those in your community.