Life has been turned upside down, as we spend more time indoors than ever before. Whether you are self-isolating to prevent the spread of infection, quarantined due to suspected exposure, or on lockdown to stay indoors, you will be spending a lot more time at home over the coming months and may find yourself craving some social interaction. What's the best way to get through this period of isolation? There are many things you can do to ensure your well-being and keep your mind and body sane.
Take advantage of all the opportunities this new lifestyle offers and put your spare moments of downtime to good use by learning new skills and doing at least one thing every day that makes you happy. Below are a few at-home activities that you can do to get through the quarantine with your sanity intact and stay motivated:
1. Practice Meditation and Mindfulness
Practicing meditation and mindfulness can improve your attention span, emotional well-being as well as mental health. Spending weeks in isolation can be distressing, but it also offers a great opportunity to set goals for yourself. Regardless of whether they are small or large, make sure to align them with what’s truly meaningful to you. Perhaps you intend to focus on relieving anxiety by practicing breathing exercises or focus on your fitness. You can also bring mindfulness into your life by practicing yoga. You can find plenty of mindfulness-based programs online by popular yoga instructors, using free yoga apps (e.g., glo) and participate in online classes, learning everything from Ashtanga to Vinyasa yoga asanas.
2. Take Part in Virtual Workout Classes
From cardio workouts to high-intensity-interval-training to weight-training, a short exercise session can boost your mood and get you moving when you wouldn’t have the chance to otherwise. With many gyms closed and fitness groups not accessible, many apps and online resources are now offering free workout plans, simple guides, and interactive programs for at-home workout sessions for all fitness levels. Nike Training Club, Abs, Physique 57 OnDemand, and FIIT are some fitness apps you can download for free on both IOS & Android.
3. Take a Virtual Vacation
Dreaming about visiting your favorite holiday destination, or just touring a new city during quarantine? Although travel is on hold, you can recreate a vacation experience as an armchair traveler and travel virtually to any parts of the world, without leaving home. All you need is your phone and the internet. There are many sites and apps, such as Google Views, Discovery VR, Google Earth, and YouVisit, that offer virtual tours of cities, museums, historic sites, etc. Take a tour of National Geographic’s list of top destinations to take this summer to begin your virtual vacation.
4. Experience the Joy of Cooking
Cooking is an activity that combines creativity, technique, and culinary knowledge. Cooking and cooking-related activities not only have positive effects on your mood but also help cope with stress and anxiety. Whether you want to fine-tune your cooking skills or create memories cooking with your family in the kitchen, cooking is therapeutic and can put you in good stead for healthier eating in the future.
