The coronavirus pandemic has left many people in quarantine inside of their homes for weeks or even months on end, depending on where they live. The entire year of 2020 has been turned completely upside down, with the normal stresses of life being added to by the isolation and worry of a global pandemic. This can obviously take a toll on one’s mental health as they stay isolated for the good of themselves and others. You may find yourself in this situation as well, far away from your friends and unable to visit them. However, quarantine doesn’t mean you have to stay in your own bubble with no contact with the outside world. You can stay connected with your friends in multiple ways to get you through these months of uncertainty. Here are some tips for staying connected while staying safe.
There are various free apps you can use to stay connected with your friends while you are in quarantine. These are free to download on most devices such as iOS and Android and can be used either on your computer or mobile device. Here are some suggestions to get you started.
WhatsApp is used all around the world to keep in contact with friends within your country and internationally. As long as you have cellular data or wifi, you can use WhatsApp to call, text or video call your friends. Everything is kept safe as well because the app uses special encryption technology to ensure your privacy. The only thing to keep in mind is you can only contact others who have WhatsApp through the app. It can be used on your mobile phone with iOS or Android, or on your computer.
You have probably seen all the memes surrounding Zoom calls ever since the start of the pandemic. This is because Zoom has been used for classes and other meetings to keep everything online so everyone is social distancing and minimizing exposure to the virus. However, Zoom can be used for personal use as well! You can download the app for free and video call your friends. The only things to keep in mind are that the calls are only 40 minutes if you have a free account. There have also been some privacy concerns, so be sure to keep these in mind.
Google Hangouts uses your Gmail account to hang out with friends on video chat. Unlike Zoom, you can have calls without time limits for free. Up to ten participants can join the call, so you can have all of your friends in one place just like old times!
Online Services
There are online services that are made to bring people together that aren’t just video calls. While video calls are great, sometimes you need to actually do something with your friends. Here are some services that are perfect for this.
If you have Google Chrome, you can download the Netflix Party extension to sync your watching with your friends. This way, you can watch your favorite movies and tv shows together, just like you would if you were hanging out in-person. However, you can only use the extension if you have Google Chrome, and it can only be used on your computer.
Spotify has a nifty feature where you can create playlists with your friends. These collaborative playlists don’t require a premium account, you can have them for free. You can add music using your mobile device with iOS or Android or you can use your computer. This way, you can listen to you and your friends’ music anytime!
Houseparty can be used to video call with your friends just like Zoom, Google Hangouts, and WhatsApp. However, you can also play Uno on the app with your friends. This is a great feature that allows you and your friends something else to do other than just talking. You can also share your screen and have even more fun.
If you and your friend love video games, Steam is for you! The service has over 30,000 video games with 90 million users. You and your friends can connect easily through messaging, friends lists, and voice chat. You can join games that are super cheap, like $5. Depending on your taste, the more expensive games only go up to $60. This is great if you are on a budget. You can also use the Remote Play Together feature, which you can use to share whatever game you are playing remotely with up to four friends. During the Remote Play Together feature, you can stream the video of the game and communicate through audio. Steam has everything video game lovers could want in an online service, especially to connect during a pandemic.
Quarantining during a global pandemic can leave you feeling depressed and isolated from your friends. However, there are ways to connect to alleviate loneliness. By using multiple apps and online services that are free or only require a small fee, you can feel connected to your friends even from miles away. You can use apps such as WhatsApp, Google Hangouts, and Zoom to text, call, or video call with your friends. However, if you want to actually do something with your friends while distancing, you can utilize services such as Netflix Party, Spotify, Houseparty, and Steam. These will keep you busy and make you feel better as you wait out the quarantine to see your friends in-person again. At Northstar Transitions, we understand just how difficult the pandemic has been on everyone. If you find yourself in need of mental health advice during these uncertain times, contact us at (303) 558-6400.
