Digital Care Packages Demonstrate How
Technology Can Be A Wellness Tool

By: Laken Brooks

COVID-19 has shaken the mental health system to its core. Many writers have highlighted the very real physical demand that COVID-19 has had on healthcare workers: bruised faces from wearing masks all day, exhaustion, and fatigue. However, more nurses are coming forward to describe feeling depressed, anxious, or overwhelmed.

Healthcare workers are not alone in feeling these negative mental health symptoms. During quarantine, many mental health organizations and crisis centers are reporting an uptick in anxious or depressed patients. However, many of us are turning to technology to stay connected, finish coursework, or work from home.

Just as technology is helping us navigate remote work and learning, it may also help us improve our mental wellness during this pandemic and long after.

What is Mental Health, and How Can Technology Help?

We may recognize when we don’t feel our best, but what exactly is mental health? 

Understanding mental wellness is the first step to meeting our needs and the needs of our loved ones.

According to health researcher Corey Keyes — mental health includes three components of well-being: emotional, psychological, and social.

EMOTIONAL

Breaking these categories down, emotional well-being may include feeling satisfied with life and being able to cope without feeling overly anxious.

PSYCHOLOGICAL

For many of us, psychological well-being can mean that we can manage most of our daily responsibilities and relationships.

SOCIAL

Social well-being means that we feel positive connections with other people.

These three components of well being must be balanced to support our overall mental health. But how can we balance these elements of our wellness during COVID-19?

Managing Your Mental Health 

During physical isolation and stressful situations, like a global pandemic, managing our mental health can take the back-burner. But we can use the tools we have in our homes, such as our technology to help us cope. We can explore the world with virtual tours, connect with family over video chat, or relax by playing video games.

One way to celebrate positive mental health is by preparing digital care packages. When we send someone a care package, we show that person that they matter to us. If you feel unsafe going outside your home or want to try a new way to check in on a loved one, making a virtual care package can be a thoughtful way to start conversations with your friends and family about positive mental health.

What is a Virtual Care Package?

A virtual care package is a document or list of digital items that you can send someone. This care package might include anything that could offer a sense of relief, including these suggestions:

  • links to a music playlist
  • a gift certificate for takeout
  • pictures of cute animals
  • a digital book or story
  • a link to a virtual tour
  • a fun personality quiz
  • a meditation app
  • motivational quotes
  • funny videos or memes

You can customize these digital items depending on what the recipient needs or likes. If you are designing a virtual package for a friend who is struggling to socialize during quarantine, for example, you may want to include things that remind that person of your friendship: pictures of you together, some of their favorite songs, a link to a Zoom chat, and a message saying that you miss and care about them.

How Do Care Packages Promote Mental Health?

Think back to a time when you received a care package or kind letter in the mail. 

During my freshman year of college, my grandmother sent me a small care package with a couple of fidget toys, some snacks, and a new novel. This small gesture made my day, because I felt extra loved and supported.

Virtual care packages can also show the recipient that they are not alone, even if they may be physically isolated during COVID-19. You can customize your virtual care package to send meditation or mindfulness videos, and studies have shown that these fun online resources can make a real positive difference in a person’s life by helping lower blood pressure and stress levels.

How Do I Make a Virtual Care Package?

Your virtual care package doesn’t need to be fancy! 

You can embed your images and links into a Google Doc or Word file and send it to the person. You could even send the care package as links or attachments in an e-mail or text message. For inspiration, check out this simple virtual care package I made for a friend.

As you send virtual packages to your friends and family, don’t forget to care for your own mental health too. The great thing about virtual care packages is that you can also send yourself a care package as a nice surprise or as some self-encouragement when you’re feeling down. 

Several websites help you to write a letter to your future self by entering your own email address and scheduling the date and year you want to receive your letter. You can send yourself a note or a link to a document full of your favorite things. You may want to send a virtual care package to yourself to open after a job interview, an exam, a 2-week quarantine, or other milestones.

Even if you’re unable to go to the post office or physically see your loved ones, you can promote positive mental health by sending them a virtual care package.

What will you include in your first care package?

Digital Care Packages Demonstrate How
Technology Can Be A Wellness Tool

By: Laken Brooks

COVID-19 has shaken the mental health system to its core. Many writers have highlighted the very real physical demand that COVID-19 has had on healthcare workers: bruised faces from wearing masks all day, exhaustion, and fatigue. However, more nurses are coming forward to describe feeling depressed, anxious, or overwhelmed.

Healthcare workers are not alone in feeling these negative mental health symptoms. During quarantine, many mental health organizations and crisis centers are reporting an uptick in anxious or depressed patients. However, many of us are turning to technology to stay connected, finish coursework, or work from home.

Just as technology is helping us navigate remote work and learning, it may also help us improve our mental wellness during this pandemic and long after.

What is Mental Health, and How Can Technology Help?

We may recognize when we don’t feel our best, but what exactly is mental health? 

Understanding mental wellness is the first step to meeting our needs and the needs of our loved ones.

According to health researcher Corey Keyes — mental health includes three components of well-being: emotional, psychological, and social.

EMOTIONAL

Breaking these categories down, emotional well-being may include feeling satisfied with life and being able to cope without feeling overly anxious.

PSYCHOLOGICAL

For many of us, psychological well-being can mean that we can manage most of our daily responsibilities and relationships.

SOCIAL

Social well-being means that we feel positive connections with other people.

These three components of well being must be balanced to support our overall mental health. But how can we balance these elements of our wellness during COVID-19?

Managing Your Mental Health 

During physical isolation and stressful situations, like a global pandemic, managing our mental health can take the back-burner. But we can use the tools we have in our homes, such as our technology to help us cope. We can explore the world with virtual tours, connect with family over video chat, or relax by playing video games.

One way to celebrate positive mental health is by preparing digital care packages. When we send someone a care package, we show that person that they matter to us. If you feel unsafe going outside your home or want to try a new way to check in on a loved one, making a virtual care package can be a thoughtful way to start conversations with your friends and family about positive mental health.

What is a Virtual Care Package?

A virtual care package is a document or list of digital items that you can send someone. This care package might include anything that could offer a sense of relief, including these suggestions:

  • links to a music playlist
  • a gift certificate for takeout
  • pictures of cute animals
  • a digital book or story
  • a link to a virtual tour
  • a fun personality quiz
  • a meditation app
  • motivational quotes
  • funny videos or memes

You can customize these digital items depending on what the recipient needs or likes. If you are designing a virtual package for a friend who is struggling to socialize during quarantine, for example, you may want to include things that remind that person of your friendship: pictures of you together, some of their favorite songs, a link to a Zoom chat, and a message saying that you miss and care about them.

How Do Care Packages Promote Mental Health?

Think back to a time when you received a care package or kind letter in the mail. 

During my freshman year of college, my grandmother sent me a small care package with a couple of fidget toys, some snacks, and a new novel. This small gesture made my day, because I felt extra loved and supported.

Virtual care packages can also show the recipient that they are not alone, even if they may be physically isolated during COVID-19. You can customize your virtual care package to send meditation or mindfulness videos, and studies have shown that these fun online resources can make a real positive difference in a person’s life by helping lower blood pressure and stress levels.

How Do I Make a Virtual Care Package?

Your virtual care package doesn’t need to be fancy! 

You can embed your images and links into a Google Doc or Word file and send it to the person. You could even send the care package as links or attachments in an e-mail or text message. For inspiration, check out this simple virtual care package I made for a friend.

As you send virtual packages to your friends and family, don’t forget to care for your own mental health too. The great thing about virtual care packages is that you can also send yourself a care package as a nice surprise or as some self-encouragement when you’re feeling down. 

Several websites help you to write a letter to your future self by entering your own email address and scheduling the date and year you want to receive your letter. You can send yourself a note or a link to a document full of your favorite things. You may want to send a virtual care package to yourself to open after a job interview, an exam, a 2-week quarantine, or other milestones.

Even if you’re unable to go to the post office or physically see your loved ones, you can promote positive mental health by sending them a virtual care package.

What will you include in your first care package?

About author: Laken Brooks

 

Laken Brooks is a freelance writer specializing in digital media, gender, and disability. 

She is passionate about books, museums, and national parks. 

Connect with her on Instagram: @lakenbrooks222

About author: Laken Brooks

 

Laken Brooks is a freelance writer specializing in digital media, gender, and disability. 

She is passionate about books, museums, and national parks. 

Connect with her on Instagram: @lakenbrooks222