We often read headlines or hear people on TV discussing the potential disadvantages of living in a high-tech world. Technology can distract families, occupy too much time and eliminate traditional communication techniques, but there’s no doubt that it also offers a valuable opportunity to connect people. There are both positives and negatives, and it’s useful to understand the upsides of investing in technology. As lockdown means that many of us are spending more time in our homes than ever before, here are some ways gadgets and gizmos can bring your family together.
Bonding over TV shows and movies
Entertainment has been a savior for millions of families all over the world at a time when people have been unable to go out, to work as normal and to socialize with friends. TV and movies have the power to transport us to different worlds, to make us laugh and cry and to provide talking points for family discussions or virtual catch-ups with friends or colleagues. Over the course of the last few months, many of us have bonded with our kids and relatives over the latest TV boxsets or series or new releases on the movie channels.
Opting for shows and titles that are likely to appeal to all family members is a terrific way to spend quality time together and enjoy evenings or weekends off work. Many of us will be missing going to the movies, but there’s no reason why you can’t plan your own movie night at home with snacks, drinks and blankets to get cozy.
Listening to music
Music provokes reactions and emotions, and it can bring two people together, no matter where they are in the world. If you’ve got a CD player, you can play songs from your phone or your computer, or you’ve invested in Polk Audio T15 speakers for the living room, you can put on a playlist or play music that will get everyone dancing on a Friday night or provide the perfect backdrop for a family meal on a Sunday or a virtual party with relatives on a Saturday evening. We can all bond over tracks that take us back in time or make us think about people we can’t see at the moment.
Virtual conversations
If the global pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that technology plays a more integral role in connecting people than ever before. In years gone by, many of us would have spent most of 2020 cut off from the world, going days without speaking to a real person or hearing from friends and family members. Phones, laptops, computers, and tablets provide us with round-the-clock access to our loved ones, no matter how far away they live. Thanks to modern technology and innovative programs and apps, you can make a call from the comfort of your couch, you can hang out virtually with your mates on a Saturday night and you can continue working, keeping in touch with colleagues via emails, instant messaging and video calling.
Virtual conversations have become the norm, and for many, they have provided incredible opportunities to see and interact with loved ones during a difficult time. Nothing can replace physical touch, but there’s no doubt that most have felt less isolated and alone during the crisis as a result of having access to family members through video chats and weekend quizzes.
Gaming
Gaming is an increasingly popular hobby. While there may be an assumption that spending hours in front of a screen shooting enemies or trying to conquer kingdoms hampers relationship building within families, gaming can actually bring different members of the family together in a really fun way. You can compete or team up with others in the same household, or you can challenge or join forces with relatives living in other neighborhoods, cities, or states. For many, gaming is an enjoyable hobby, and it can help to relieve stress and to provide hours of entertainment. There are all kinds of games you can play, and many of them offer multiplayer modes to ensure everyone can get involved.
Interactive workouts
You only have to look at social media feeds to see that global lockdowns have created an appetite for home workouts and fitness. Exercise is incredibly beneficial for physical and mental health, and it offers a fantastic opportunity to spend time together. With access to the Internet, you can follow or download all kinds of workouts, try new sports and training techniques and make daily exercise fun.
Kids and grandparents can get involved, you can link up with other households, and you can meet new people along the way by joining online communities or classes. Interactive workouts are a great way of introducing exercise into your daily routine, and you can select activities based on how you feel, what you want to do and who is joining you.
From yoga, Pilates and dance classes to spinning, aerobics and garden circuits, you can use tech to lift your mood, have fun and improve your health and mental well-being. Experts recommend doing 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week. With classes, sessions and workouts at your disposal 24-hours-a-day, you can easily hit this target and enjoy spending more time with your partner, parents or kids at the same time. If you get used to home workouts, this will stand you in good stead to maintain your fitness once lockdown measures are lifted and life becomes more hectic again.
We often hear people talking about the negative impact of spending time on the computer or being glued to a phone screen. While there are downsides of technology, there are also incredible advantages, especially at a time when most of us are spending more time at home. Technology has the power to bring people together, to facilitate family bonding and to provide fun, entertainment and an escape from the stresses of daily life. With modern technology, you can stay in touch with friends and relatives and work out, play games, learn, watch TV, and get lost in movies together all from the comfort of your own home.
