The world has recently been turned upside down by the COVID-19 pandemic. As we learn to process the continuous updates and developments and limit our time in public in order to help curb the spread of the virus, feelings of anxiety and worry can often take over.
Spending a quiet day at home is often a dream-come-true for a busy student. However being stuck inside for multiple days in a row, can become a little draining. While some of your day will be occupied with online classes and studying, there is a big chunk of your day that was once occupied by extracurricular activities, social gatherings and more.
Staying positive during this time is crucial and finding ways to occupy yourself is a great way to do it. It’s important to stay updated however, be sure to take breaks from reading the news as it can often be overwhelming.
Here are some tips and strategies on how to keep busy at home during COVID-19:
VIRTUAL TOURS
A large number of museums, attractions and natural wonders can be accessed without leaving the comfort of your own home thanks to the technology of virtual tours. A simple Google search leads to numerous resources for virtual tours, however here are some links to some of our favourites:
Live concert streams
Although most concert venues around the nation have been temporarily closed, the show must go on! Artists of all different genres are hosting live performances streamed right to your living room for your viewing pleasure. Check out this list from CNET (updated daily).
Take up a new/old hobby
They say it takes 10,000 hours of practising to truly master a new skill. Maybe you’ve always wanted to learn how to paint, dance or learn a new language. Or maybe you’d like to perfect your cooking skills or dust off that guitar that’s been sitting in the corner — now is a perfect time!
There are many great resources available online including tutorials, videos on YouTube and online courses.
Stay Connected
Although the term “social distancing” is being used heavily recently, it doesn’t mean you need to completely cut off all communications with friends and family. Use this time to reconnect with distant relatives or friends you may have lost touch with. A simple phone call or email works, however, there are some great digital tools available such as Facetime Video, Houseparty, Facebook Watch Party or Zoom which make communication even more fun.
Keep Fit
Prior to the pandemic, there was a great library of online fitness classes. But now even more studios and personal trainers are taking their classes online. If you have a favourite gym or instructor, be sure to check out their social media accounts and websites to see if they are now offering online classes.