October 25th is National I Care About You Day, which is a day encouraging people to express their love and appreciation for family, friends, and significant others. Traveling for work and being away from home may require a little more creativity to celebrate, but it’s no excuse to miss out on this opportunity. Just like having the right tools on the job, the right tools for communicating can make all the difference.

This blog covers some common ways to stay in touch with family and friends and hopefully will give you a couple of new ideas.

Send an Email or Text

This is an obvious answer, but sending a message to a person or group is so easy. It can be a quick “Good morning, what are you up to today?” message to your significant other to start the day. It could also be that ongoing text chain with your best buddies full of memes, irreverent jokes, and savage fantasy football trash talk.

Regardless of what you choose to send, it’s an easy way to keep a conversation going.

Voice and Video Calls

Many studies have shown that hearing the voice of a loved one has psychological benefits. It can reduce stress and anxiety, boost mood and happiness, and reinforce relational bonds.

Send a Postcard

Many of us enjoy seeing new places and exploring this great country. In fact, travel is one of the selling points of taking a job with FlexTrades! A great way to share that experience is to send a postcard.

If there’s something interesting within 50 miles, there’s probably a postcard with a picture of it readily available. State welcome centers, tourist sites, truck stops, and gift shops are just a few common places to find one. Before you drop it in the mail, write a quick note about where you were or what you were doing to add even more to the postcard.

Video Games

A 2023 technician survey revealed that a common travel essential for technicians is their video game console or laptop. If you already play games at home, it’s a relatively easy activity to pack up and keep the good times rolling on the road. Of course, this option depends on a solid internet connection, so be sure to check with your hotel to see what the internet and Wi-Fi connection options are before you go.

If internet speeds don’t allow a full-blown console game to run, there are hundreds of games you can play using a web browser or the app store on your phone.

Streaming Together

If you like to “Netflix and Chill,” there are a number of ways you can stream content with others.

For free content, like YouTube, most apps with screen-sharing features will work. Some apps even have built-in functionality to make it easy and interactive. For example, Discord has a built-in feature called Watch Together, which allows you to build and watch a YouTube playlist with anyone you want.

For paid streaming services, like Netflix or Hulu, there are a number of apps or browser extensions, such as Teleparty, that allow you to watch together, but anyone watching will need a subscription to those services.

Virtual Date with Your Significant Other

Last year, we posted a blog with ideas on how to celebrate Valentine’s Day on the road. But you don’t need to wait for Valentine’s Day for a virtual date.

This can be as easy as planning to go for a walk while on a video call. Or take it further and plan an evening to eat a meal together while streaming a movie or TV show. You could even schedule a delivery of flowers or a gift to arrive during your call.

Conclusion

With smartphones, tablets, and laptops, it’s easier than ever to stay in touch with friends and family wherever we all are. If you’re looking for ways to stay connected and celebrate National I Care About You Day, give some of these suggestions a try.