Exercise
Finding fun ways to move your body throughout the day is always tough, especially when you no longer have access to a gym. You should definitely try to get outside each day when working from home or social distancing, whether you go for a walk, run, or bike ride. I just brought up my bike from home and I am excited to scope out some of the trails in my neighborhood!
When it comes to working out, there are plenty of workouts accessible online. More intense programs like Beachbody or Les Mills require weights and a membership, but it gives you the feeling of being back in the gym. I love the Beachbody programs and one of my goals during the social distancing period is to try some of their dance programs, just to switch things up and keep exercise fun! YouTube is another great resource for workouts. You can find great classes like yoga and pilates for no cost!
Reading
I love to read, and so having some extra time to delve into my books has been fun. Since I no longer have access to my local library, and I don't want to spend money on new books all the time, I have been trying to read books that have been on my shelf for a while. If you are looking for a way to keep reading interesting, check out my blog post with some book challenges you can participate in this year! I am currently reading The Stand by Stephen King, which is about a plague that wipes out the majority of the population. It's not exactly an escape from our COVID-10 reality, but I thought it was a relevant read.
Crafting
My family are all big crafters. When I was a kid I learned how to knit and cross-stitch from my mom. In eighth grade, I bought a massive hook rug that I wanted to complete for my room, but I never was motivated enough to finish it. Well, quarantine seems like the perfect time to finally finish that rug! It takes almost 45 minutes to complete one row, so I work on it a little bit every day. I am making sure to finish this before starting any other crafts!
However, if these types of crafts aren't for you, there are tons of other options out there. Print out pictures from your school years or past travels and finally start that scrapbook. Redecorate your room. Learn to paint. The options are endless to get creative!
Puzzles
Puzzles have become extremely popular among families in quarantine. I know my mom has a box of puzzles hidden in the attic somewhere so I asked her to bring me a few to work on. But don't forget other puzzles and brain games you can access on your computer and phone as well! Crosswords, sudoku, word searches, and even adult coloring books are all keep your brain active. When it comes to phone apps some of my favorite brain games include Candy Crush, Unblock Me, Flow, Triple Town, and 2048.
Learning a new hobby
I figured quarantine was the perfect time to try something new. I used to play piano as a child, and I always regret giving it up. So I decided I would try to learn a musical instrument again! A keyboard would be quite an expensive investment so I started with what I already owned: an Irish Tin Whistle I got during my trip to Ireland. While I was having fun learning new songs, I realized my neighbors probably didn't enjoy the "music" as much as I did. So I decided on something a bit quieter and I ordered a ukulele from Amazon.
I have heard from many people that the ukulele is an easy instrument to learn. This is definitely not true! Learning any instrument takes time and patience and with a string instrument you must build up calluses and muscles in your hands to perfectly play the chords. I have only mastered about five chords at this moment, but there are plenty of songs out there that you can play with minimal chords. This has been one of the more fun and rewarding part of my quarantine activities.
Note:
This is an unprecedented time for everyone. While many people in your social circles may be using their time off to be productive, it is completely okay to not be productive. This time is full of stress and anxiety for many, especially if you are working from home, if you, or someone you love, works in healthcare, or if you have grandparents feeling isolated in their nursing homes.
It is okay not to be okay. However if you are feeling anxious...reach out to friends, family, or mental health professionals to help find the best way for you to cope with the situation.
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