Whether you are an active relaxer, introvert, extrovert, living as a family, flat situation or on your own, there are many ways to be entertained and stay connected during self-isolation than just binging on Netflix.
The first step is having acceptance around having to work from home or self-isolate. This is the way things are going to be for a while so rather than fight disappointment because of cancelled plans, adopt the British attitude of keeping calm and carrying on, even if that is mostly in the confines of your home.
See this time as a gift: Modern life is hectic and the Coronavirus is forcing us to slow down on a global scale. Use this time for reflection; write a gratitude diary or list every day of things you are grateful for; think about projects or ideas you would love to take on but never do because you are always so busy. Now is the time to begin writing that novel, planning that business idea or downloading Sharesies and researching the share market. Whatever your jam is, use this time to plan your jam.
Read books and magazines: Reading offers great escapism or an opportunity to learn something new. Sit back with a cuppa and read that book or stack of magazines that you’ve been trying to get to unsuccessfully.
Visit a museum or art gallery, virtually: View exhibitions and Museum collections online. Castello di Rivoli near Turin, Italy has launched a new virtue venue for people to enjoy called Digital Cosmos.
New York’s Metropolitan Opera is providing nightly free web streams, beginning March 16.
Here are 12 other famous museums offering virtual tours.
Do a puzzle: This activity will happily while away many hours as you try and find the pieces that go together. Make it even harder by doing a Wasjig, which provides clues without showing you the picture. You will need to use your imagination to piece it all together!
Get out in the garden: Weed, prune and get your garden in order. It’s also not too late to plant certain vegetables. If you don’t have a garden, you can plant vegetables and herbs in pots.
Detox your room, home and garage: If you’ve been itching to declutter now is a good time to sort through old files and boxes. You could even have a go at rearranging the furniture, just to mix things up!
Give your recipe books a dust off: I don’t know about you but on average I make about one recipe from each recipe book I own before it gets lost on the shelf. Revisiting these books means there are potentially hundreds more delicious meals just waiting to be made and savoured. Here is an opportunity to channel/discover your inner Master Chef and get cooking and experimenting in the kitchen. Don’t own recipe books? Ask Google, or create your own recipes.
Go for a walk, run or bike ride: Yes, it is okay to go outside. Get some fresh air and stretch your legs. Plus, you will need time out with everyone cooped up in the house!
Clean out your inbox: If your personal email inbox is overflowing with unopened emails and e-newsletters you never really wanted to receive, now is an opportunity to get it in order and delete, file or unsubscribe from junk mail.
Stay connected: Use Facetime, Skype or WhatsApp to call family and friends for catch-ups. You could even have dinner together, virtually of course.
