People the world over are being asked to self-isolate and practice social distancing. It’s been over a month since schools and non-essential workplaces shut down or began operating remotely. People are avoiding human contact as much as possible, and for good reason. Unfortunately, humans are still pack animals, and isolating oneself 24/7 can have a negative effect on your overall mental and physical health.
You might not see a light at the end of the tunnel, but you should use this as an opportunity to develop a skill, take on a new hobby, video chat with your friends, and catch up with family. Many of us have more time now than ever, so it’s worthwhile to put together a list of the top things you want to accomplish, and then start at the top.
Here are the 10 things you can do while quarantined:
- Meet up virtually
You can video conference with your friends to catch up, play a board game, or even watch a movie together virtually. With online gaming you can even meet up with your pals in a virtual world. Virtually meeting your friends and family allows you to hang out with them while maintaining proper social distance.
- Cook up something fancy!
With all this extra time, you might want to try you luck in the kitchen! Rummage through your pantry and test out new recipes. This will give you the opportunity to use the staples in your pantry and pick up some new kitchen skills. You don’t have to cook a meal either, you can start with dessert. Hop on the trend of making bread, chocolate chip cookies, or cinnamon buns.
- Celebrate milestones and throw parties
While you can’t meet in person to celebrate birthdays, work anniversaries, or other milestones, you can use collaboration platforms like Skype and Zoom to hang out with your family, friends, and team. You can have a virtual cocktail party, a weekly happy hour, or even a movie night. You can grab a drink, join the video, and start mingling. And if you want to take it to another level, you can use a liquor delivery service and send a bottle of wine or some beer to make the event that much more special.
- Binge watch a TV show
If you’re paying for a Netflix subscription, but barely have the time to watch, now is the time. You can start a new TV show, watch a documentary, or grab some popcorn and have a movie night with your family. Netflix also released a new feature called Netflix party which facilitates group-watching. You can invite your friends for free to watch the movie or show at the same time and can even share your comments in the chat.
- Join a virtual workout class
You might not be able to hit the gym, but that doesn’t mean you can’t reach your fitness goals. Consider joining an online workout class. Checkout your gym to see if they are offering live stream classes. Enroll in an online yoga session, or just watch YouTube videos for motivation. There’s tons of free content out there!
- Read a book
If you want to disconnect from the constant barrage of emails, video calls, and teams’ messages, you can go analog and pick up a book. If you haven’t already, maybe take a crack at the Harry Potter series. You can also read books about how to expand your business, negotiate, save money, or connect better with your children. You can start a book club with your business partners and team. This will help you connect with your team, while also finding new ways to grow your business.
- Learn a new language
If you’ve always wanted to learn a new language, then now is your chance. There are several free language apps you can use every day. Duolingo is a solid option. And if you want to increase the difficulty, you can always try Rosetta Stone.
- Get artsy
You might not be able to find a mask online, or in a store, so why not get artsy and make one yourself? There are tons of YouTube video tutorials that teach how to create custom masks. All you need is an old piece of clothing, a pattern, sewing materials, and you’re good to go. If sewing isn’t your thing, why not try painting, or woodworking? The famous company Paint Nite by Yaymaker is offering online painting events for as little as $15. Use this time to get artsy.
- Show your home some love
Being stuck at home 24/7 can be frustrating, especially if you're sharing your space with family members or roommates. That’s why now is the perfect opportunity to redecorate your space. Paint the guest bedroom, frame that picture you’ve been meaning to hang up, or use Feng Shui to reorganize your furniture. If you’re working from home, you should decorate your home office to create a more vibrant and productive work space.
- Rest and stay healthy
If your schedule is normally crazy, this is the perfect time to create a routine and rest your body and mind. Get at least 7 hours of sleep each night, eat fruit and vegetables, and do what you can to minimize stress. Don’t exhaust your body or your mind! Take time to relax and strengthen your immune system.
It’s not easy, but you owe it to yourself to stay focused and productive. Keeping your mental and emotionally health strong is priority #1 and creating structure can help. Your time is valuable, so use your extra time as an opportunity to learn something new, declutter, or spend time with your family.
We will get out of this!