How to stay connected to friends and family back home

It’s normal to feel homesick when you move to a new place. It’s no secret that you’ll miss the friends and family you’re leaving, but there are ways to stay connected. In a world where video chatting has become commonplace, it’s getting easier to find ways to stay close to those who matter to us most. Here are some suggestions for how to stay connected to friends and loved ones.

Messaging apps can help you stay connected with friends and family. Beyond the typical Facebook and Instagram options, there’s also WhatsApp Opens in a new window. and Signal Opens in a new window.. Create a group chat to keep in touch with loved ones no matter where you are. You can send pictures, video updates, voice notes and texts to each other. 

Luckily, distance doesn’t need to impact our ability to watch TV shows together. With streaming services such as Netflix Party, you can watch your favourite episodes together across time zones and experience it in real time with the group chat option and synchronized video playback. 

Is there a shared favourite genre among your family or friend group? Keep in touch with fellow book lovers by creating a space to discuss current reads and new authors you enjoy. You can also join a pre-established book club to connect with people from all over the world.

Share recipes and cook together. Ask your one of your parents or another family member how to cook your favourite childhood recipe and make it together over FaceTime. If you’re looking for something different, consider taking an online cooking class together.

Organize and host a family or friends game night online. Combat the long-distance blues with a night of fun by using video chat applications that allow for multiple users. Take advantage of games you can play online such as JackboxTV Opens in a new window., Heads Up! Opens in a new window., or online board games and card games. 

Motivate yourself, your friends and your family members to get healthier by exercising with your loved ones. All you have to do is search “free online workouts” and choose one you'd like to try. There are many options, so you’re bound to find something everyone will enjoy together. 

One thing about living far away from family and other loved ones is that you’re likely to miss memorable moments and special events because of distance. But you can make yourself a part of their day by recording a video with a special message for the person you’re celebrating. It's not exactly the same as being there in person, but it's a great way to feel included. 

Don’t underestimate the art of the hand-written letter — snail mail still has a place when it comes to communicating with our loved ones. Send a hand-written letter and some photographs or keepsakes that your family and friends back home will enjoy. Show them what you’ve been getting up to in a unique and sentimental way. There doesn’t have to be a special occasion.

Music streaming apps such as Spotify Opens in a new window. allow members to collaborate on a playlist that you all can enjoy. So share tunes and mix up those genres as you create a playlist unique to your group.

Does anyone in your family or friend group enjoy video games? Get a virtual game going that permits multiplayer action. For example, Animal Crossing Opens in a new window. is popular and enables you to visit your friends’ virtual towns within the game. If you’re not interested in video games, consider other internet games such as Words With Friends Opens in a new window.. 

When you’re feeling down about being apart from those you love, video chat with them. There are many options to choose from: Skype Opens in a new window., Facetime Opens in a new window., Google Hangouts Opens in a new window., Zoom Opens in a new window., just to name a few. Video chatting is a great way to keep in touch, and seeing each other's faces makes it easy to feel like you're actually together. Connecting virtually with your loved ones is a guaranteed way to life your mood.