Best Ways to Use Video Calls to Fight Loneliness and Homesickness
Feeling lonely or missing home? A simple and powerful way to feel better is by making video calls. If you’re living far from family, studying in another city, or feeling alone, video calls can help you feel closer to the people you care about. They don’t just show faces—they bring back the feeling of love, support, and connection.
Why Video Calls Are So Effective for Emotional Connection
Loneliness and homesickness often happen when you feel like no one understands you or you’re missing the people who usually support you. Video calls help in a way that texts and voice calls can’t—they let you see the other person’s face, eyes, and expressions, which brings back emotional connection.
The American Psychological Association (APA) says that seeing someone you love can activate the parts of your brain that help with emotions and relationships. This kind of face-to-face contact can calm you down, lower stress, and increase a bonding hormone in your body called oxytocin.
Turn Casual Calls into Rituals of Connection
Setting a regular day and time to talk with family or friends helps bring stability to your emotions. These “anchor calls” remind you that your connections are still strong and dependable. For example, a Sunday family video call or a midweek chat with a close friend can give you something to look forward to and help you feel supported.
Make video calls more fun by doing special activities together. You can watch movies on Zoom, play games using apps like Houseparty or Skribbl, or even eat dinner together on FaceTime. These shared moments help you feel like you’re together, even if you’re far apart.
Use video calls to celebrate important events like birthdays, promotions, or even small achievements like finishing a test. Turning on the camera, cutting a cake, and sharing the moment brings back the happiness of being together, even from a distance.
Make Video Calls More Emotionally Nourishing
Taking video calls in a quiet and calm place helps you stay focused and fully present. Try to block out distractions, turn off notifications, and treat the call as special time. This shows the other person that you care and helps both of you feel truly listened to.
It’s okay to talk about everyday things, but sharing deeper thoughts can help you feel better emotionally. Talk about what you’re learning, any challenges you’re facing, or things you’re thankful for. Opening up in a safe way can reduce feelings of loneliness and help you grow stronger inside.
Make video calls part of your daily or weekly habits. You could reflect on good things with a sibling, take a virtual morning walk with a friend, or quietly study together online. These routines don’t just ease homesickness—they help create a new feeling of home wherever you are.