Noodles & Company<\/a> and many other companies now offer family meals that you can conveniently order online and pick up either via quick pick-up or the new curbside pick-up, which is available at nearly 350 locations nationwide in the US.<\/p>\nSo, wherever you are in the world it\u2019s time to get menu-browsing and pick which tasty option your family can enjoy for lunch or dinner today. Cultivating connection is now more important than ever, and the new family meals make it easy to connect with loved ones whether they\u2019re miles away over a computer screen or across the table.<\/p>\n
No matter what food you prefer, there are currently more options than ever to choose from. As your favorite local restaurants shift to take-away, curbside and delivery-only models, there\u2019s an opportunity to not only support local restaurants, but also to provide support for those in need.<\/p>\n
Schedule virtual activities<\/h2>\n
While it may seem easy to connect with family and friends while homebound, many have found it to be quite difficult.<\/p>\n
Instead of trying to find additional time in the day to connect with those you love, a great alternative is to leverage the existing time you once allocated to other activities before social distancing took effect. This time can then be spent with loved ones by enjoying activities via video chat.<\/p>\n
For example, if you used to take lunchtime walks with coworkers you can now spend that time enjoying a virtual workout class together. If you used to attend happy hours or other group activities with friends or family, you can now take part in online games, courses or virtual book club meetings instead.<\/p>\n
Commit with your friends and family to stick with your favorite activities and routines and you\u2019ll be reunited together in person before you know it.<\/p>\n
Switch up story time<\/h2>\n
If you have little ones at home, they are likely missing the loved ones they are used to frequently seeing in person. One of the easiest ways to incorporate these people into your children\u2019s lives in a meaningful way is to reinvent the story time portion of their bedtime routine.<\/p>\n
Instead of tackling the story yourself, have a loved one read to them instead via video conference. Whether you flip the pages for your guest reader or they read a book from home across the screen, it\u2019s a simple activity that\u2019s sure to bring everyone closer together.<\/p>\n
Embrace traditional communication<\/h2>\n
In times like these, the communication you send with a personalized touch will resonate with loved ones the most. Writing a letter or sending a care package creates a one-of-a-kind nostalgic feeling the recipient is sure to appreciate. Plus, you don’t have to live entirely in the present. Using letters to plan for future events and vacations can be a great way to reduce stress during uncertain times and can be a promising light at the end of the tunnel.<\/p>\n
Social distancing shouldn\u2019t mean isolation. Employ the tips above and be proactive in your efforts to connect with loved ones to strengthen the relationships that matter most.<\/p>\n
Article Copyright \u00a9 BPT 2020 
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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Bob Dylan once sang, \u201cFor the times they are a-changin’,\u201d and that has perhaps never been more true than it is today.<\/p>\n