Stay Connected All Winter: Simple Ways to Be Social
- Category: Mental Health
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As the temperatures drop and days grow shorter, it’s easy to become reclusive and isolated. However, regular social interaction is even more important during the winter months to combat loneliness, cabin fever, and seasonal depression. Luckily, there are plenty of simple, meaningful ways to stay connected with loved ones and build community during the winter season.
Embrace Virtual Meet-Ups
When roads are icy and you’d rather stay warm and cozy at home, you can still stay meaningfully engaged with others. Schedule regular video calls with friends and family, whether it’s a virtual happy hour, a weekly check-in, or an online game night. Many libraries, senior centers, and community organizations also host virtual workshops, support groups, and fitness classes, giving you the chance to learn, socialize, and stay active even when winter weather keeps you indoors.
Host a Virtual Watch Party
Virtual watch parties are a great way to enjoy movies and shows together, even when everyone is watching from their own home. Platforms like WatchParty and Teleparty make it easy to stay connected by synchronizing video playback and adding group chat features so you can react, laugh, and comment in real time. Teleparty works with popular streaming services like Netflix, Disney Plus, Hulu, HBO Max, and Amazon Prime, allowing you and your friends and family to share the experience of a cozy movie night or series binge from anywhere.
Stay Connected Through Hobbies
Hobbies naturally inspire conversation and help you make new friends that share your interests. Use cozy winter days to explore new hobbies or revisit old ones, such as cooking, knitting, photography, or reading. Try joining an online book club, neighborhood recipe swap, or craft group on easy-to-use platforms like Facebook and Discord. You’ll gain community, boost creativity and inspiration, and learn new techniques from like-minded people – in the comfort of your home.
Check In Regularly With Friends and Neighbors
Even if you’re not seeing those in your circle as often in the winter, making an effort to check in regularly will help you nurture your relationships and stay in touch. A quick call, text, or even a letter can brighten someone’s day and strengthen your connections. Winter can be especially difficult for people living alone or managing health issues – letting your loved ones or neighbors know you’re thinking of them goes a long way.
Participate in Community Social Media
Many towns and neighborhoods have social media groups or online bulletin boards to keep residents informed about upcoming events in your area. Engaging with your neighbors online can help you stay connected to your community and learn about any fun local activities to participate in, so if you do decide to venture outside, you won’t have to go far.
Try Virtual Game Night
Games are a great relationship-building tool for many families and friends. If winter weather is keeping you from hosting your weekly game night, you now don’t have to be in the same home – or the even the same country – to play board games together. Everything from Scrabble to Scattergories is now available to play online. Some more popular games, such as Monopoly, have their own app for online playing, while platforms such as Board Game Arena make it easy to play thousands of different virtual board games with friends and family right on your web browser, on any device.