Photo credit: https://greatist.com/live/self-isolation-and-mental-health
Officials around the world have advised that “social distancing” is the key to slowing the spread of coronavirus. But what activities do these precautions allow.
It may be disappointing to know that many sports events, music concerts, cruises, flights and festivals have been cancelled, but, there is a reason for these measures, and they are in the interest of the public health. These cancellations are to help eventually stop or slow down the spread of disease thus allowing the health care system to more care for the demand of patients.
Social distancing is deliberately increasing the physical space between people to avoid spreading illness. Staying at least six feet away from other people is said to lessen your chances of catching COVID-19.
Other examples of social distancing in order to avoid large crowds include:
· Working from home instead of at the office
· Closing schools or switching to online classes
· Visiting loved ones by electronic devices instead of in person
· Cancelling or postponing conferences and large meetings
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Considering this, here are our top 10 ways to still keep yourself entertained whilst keeping coronavirus contained.
1. Start those abandoned home projects / DIY
There always seems to be something to do around the house. Now, with the time to do so, its time to give that kitchen wall a lick of fresh paint. Home projects can be anything from remodelling, building some new furniture, to putting up that shelf that’s been sat in the cupboard since November.
2. Painting!
Perhaps cliché, and probably something you haven’t thought of since you said goodbye to your paintbrush in GCSE Art, but painting is the perfect way to ease your mind and relax during this time. Your inspiration could be still life, paint by numbers or freestyle.
3. Baking / cooking
Its time to grab that wooden spoon and take your mind away from corona and into the kitchen, now is the perfect time to try out those recipes you haven’t had time to get to, and get all the family involved. You could even try out some immune-boosting recipes, in order to find that perfect balance of healthy and delicious.
4. Home workouts
Get the family involved and begin an at home Zumba class, a lot of gym classes are starting live streams so there is no excuse not to keep moving.
If you don’t fancy the extremity of a whole gym class, start getting flexible… supposedly, if you sit at a right angle with your bum to the wall and your legs in the air for 5 minutes a day, after 35 days you should be close to doing the splits.
5. Organising and cleaning
Clear out your wardrobe, donate unwanted clothes to those who may need them, especially during this time, and get on with the filing, shredding and folding. This will also help to make your home office more Zen, as they say, tidy room, tidy mind.
6. Meditate
Meditation is believed by many to be the perfect way to reduce stress and develop concentration. People also use the practice to develop other beneficial habits and feelings, such as a positive mood and outlook, self-discipline, healthy sleep patterns and even increased pain tolerance, the perfect remedy for the current circumstance.
The recommended basic first steps are to:
1. Sit or lie comfortably. You may even want to invest in a meditation chair or cushion.
2. Close your eyes. …
3. Make no effort to control the breath; simply breathe naturally.
4. Focus your attention on the breath and on how the body moves with each inhalation and exhalation.
Meditation podcasts can be found online too.
7. Re-download the SIMS
Dig up an old childhood gem and start immersing in the nostalgic virtual world of Sims. Enjoy a virtual life to escape the realities of the real one!
8. Learn a new language/ sign language.
There is never a bad time to pick up a new language!
There are plenty of sites and apps such as Duolingo, Memrise, OpenCulture and Babble that offer online resources and tools to learn new languages for free.
Or even begin learning sign language on an online course!
9. Give yourself a makeover
Take time for a bit of self-care, facemasks, bath bombs or a manicure, allow yourself to rejuvenate whilst working in the comfort of your own home.
10. Get green fingers
Start some gardening, for some fresh air and get ahead of making your garden glow for summer.
It is important to note that we are not medical professions. If you think you have symptoms of Coronavirus, please speak to a medical profession on the NHS helpline 111 and self isolate, until the symptoms pass.
