Jan 25, 2021 11:48 AM EST By Ernest Hamilton, UniversityHerald Reporter

You've gone off to college to start the next chapter of your life, knowing that you could always return to the love, support, and home cooking of your mom and dad. As you set off in a car loaded with clothes, sports kit, and your favorite treats, you were already making plans to return for Thanksgiving weekend and then the extended Christmas break. Then suddenly, the COVID-19 pandemic turned the world upside down.

Long-distance relationships of any kind take a lot of work, and this includes maintaining relationships with your own family. In times of social distancing, erring on the side of caution is wise, but this doesn't mean that you can't find imaginative ways to stay connected with your loved ones. Read on for some creative means for showing your family that you care.

Use the mail

You and your family might be all up on the last tech, but nothing beats getting something in the mail that isn't a bill. It's thrilling and melts your heart to hold a piece of paper inscribed with your handwriting. This can be as quick as sending a postcard or a longer letter including printed photographs and mementos like a fridge magnet from your university.

If you can't get away from technology, then there are apps available that link with old-fashioned snail mail. Postagram is one of our favorites and can make your Instagram picture into a postcard within seconds and be mailed out to one or multiple addresses simultaneously.

Use the phone

Picking up the phone and calling someone has become a lost art form. The older generation will particularly love hearing the sound of your voice in real-time. We don't mean using a text, a messaging service, or a smattering of emojis. It may feel daunting thinking about what to say, but the more than you stay in touch, the easier every conversation will be. Trust us; you can make someone's day with a call just saying, 'I was thinking about you and wanting to hear your voice.' 

Send a video

Family members in care homes are disproportionately isolated from their loved ones during the pandemic. The staff at Longhouse, an assisted living community, gave some excellent advice and tips about ways to stay in touch.

Video messages can be watched multiple times and can be saved for times when loneliness might set in. Moreover, according to the American Psychological Association, talking about shared family experiences and reminiscing has shown improvements for psychological well-being. A wonderful present would be a recording from all of your family members, each describing a shared memory about a time that they spent with your family that is currently in a care home.

The ramifications of COVID-19 mean that travel has become more challenging. Seeing your older family members and extended family in person might not be the most responsible choice. We all need to consider the health of aged parents and how to best keep everyone safe. It is more critical than ever to find ways to stay connected with your family during these troubled times.

See Now: Covert Team Inside Newsweek Revealed as Key Players in False Human Trafficking Lawsuit