As the crushing clamp of Coronavirus tightens, we are fronted with one of the most difficult challenges: isolation. Now more than ever, it can be easy to feel unmotivated and tired. To help you counter this, we compiled ten activities that can help you stay active, happy and healthy.
We know you've heard it all before, but exercising is a great way to relieve stress and anxiety. It can also help to organize or clean your house. It will feel good to take advantage of what you can control, when things feel out of control. Doing puzzles, making your bed or even just changing out of your pajamas are all important ways to take care of your mental health.
An indoor scavenger hunt is a great way to get creative and connect with your family. Instead of all watching Netflix in separate rooms, try this fun (and time consuming) activity that involves everyone.
Staying in touch with friends is SUPER important! Even if it's just for an hour, it is good to have a reminder of the people you care about. There are many ways to do this, including Zoom, Google Hangouts, FaceTime, BlueJeans, etc.
"Netflix Party" and "Disney Plus Party" are both Chrome extensions that allow you to sync your video with groups of people to watch movies and tv shows at the same time. Subscriptions to the respective platform are required and you need the Chrome extension installed. This is a great way to stay in touch with friends and feel connected, even though you are not together.
The postal systems are still running! Write a letter to someone you love, address it, stamp it and put it in the mailbox. Bonus points if you put a small drawing or bracelet to go with your letter!
Spend some time searching for new music, through friends or the curated suggestions on your platform. Clear out playlists or make new ones; try grouping songs by mood, activities or genre.
Podcasts are perfect for any time -- while you’re cleaning, working out or even finishing a puzzle. We recommend “Stuff You Should Know” by iHeartRadio, “Anything Goes” by Emma Chamberlain and “Radical Empathy” by Jubilee Media.
Always wished you could do the splits? Now is a great time to start working towards that goal! Yoga, pilates or even just stretching on your own are all great ways to pass the time. These activities can be very calming and meditative, so take advantage of them! Set a goal for yourself and work at it everyday. Even if its 20 minutes, it will give your day a purpose, which is sometimes all we need to get ourselves out of bed in the morning.
A board game tournament is a fun way to connect with your family. There is an infinite amount of fun games in the world, and, since there is no shortage of time, start playing some of them! Whether you like charades, chess or clue, playing a game is a great way to bring your family together and make some memories, even while you are stuck in the house.
Try to write down your thoughts, feelings and ideas about what’s going on in your world. While it’s hard to see past the end of the pandemic, eventually this will become a new part of history. Wouldn’t it be so cool if your writing was a primary source for people in the future?
This pandemic is a scary and stressful time for everyone. With Michigan and many other states looking at a few more weeks of stay-in-place, the emotional challenges will continue. Please remember to keep reaching out to friends and family; they will be your solace during this time. We are all in this together, just remember that you are not alone.
Credits:
Created with images by Estée Janssens - "untitled image" • freestocks - "untitled image" • Kate Macate - "https://creativemarket.com/KateMacate/shop/templates" • Rawan Yasser - "untitled image" • Felix Mittermeier - "Chess"