COVID-19 has altered the way of life for billions of people. Health care services have been overwhelmed by the number of infected patients, and many lives have been lost from complications of the virus as well as a shortage of hospital supplies. Since the virus is so contagious, experts have been recommending that people practice social distancing in order to slow the spread of it. This means avoiding others and staying at home except for when you need something essential, like groceries. Because of the quarantine, people are unable to partake in their usual outdoor activities and might be left wondering what to do for entertainment while they stay home. Here are a few suggestions on how you can stay entertained at home during the quarantine.
Watch Television
One way to stay preoccupied is by watching a good show or movie. Whether you have cable, Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, or another video streaming service, you are sure to find something entertaining. You can re-watch something you already love, or you can dive into a new series. Maybe your friends have been pestering you to watch Stranger Things for years. Now is the perfect time to finally catch up on all the shows and movies you never had time for before.
Socialize
It is important to stay social. Studies have shown that staying social lowers anxiety and depression, raises self-esteem, makes you more empathetic, and helps you form better relationships. It also improves your physical health, having been found to strengthen the immune system and to help you recover from disease. Keeping in touch with your friends and family will not only benefit you but them as well. You can do a big group video call with several people on Zoom, Houseparty, Whatsapp, or other social messaging apps. Whatever method of socializing you choose, just make sure to keep in touch with your loved ones until you can all meet again in person.
Yoga
Yoga is a discipline that improves your physical, mental, and spiritual states. Whether you are new to exercise and meditation or not, you will enjoy learning Yoga. It is easy to get into and is great for your overall well-being. The benefits are numerous, including increased flexibility, toned muscles, improved respiration and circulation, and reduced stress levels. The best part? You can do it all entirely from home. It will not only keep you entertained but it will be excellent for your mind and body as well.
Video Games
You can stay entertained for days with a good video game. There are many ways to access games. They are available on gaming consoles such as the Xbox and Playstation, on your computer, your tablet, and even on your phone. There are endless games to play and more coming out all the time. You can play games by yourself or you can play them online with your friends if you are feeling a bit more social. They don’t have to be competitive games, either. You can play a more relaxing game like Animal Crossing to take the edge off a little while you wait for the pandemic to end.
Solve a Puzzle
If you want entertainment without staring at a screen, one way to keep busy is by doing a puzzle. Puzzles can keep you busy for hours and they will benefit your brain. They have been found to refine memory, increase problem-solving abilities, improve visual-spatial reasoning, delay dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, and reduce stress. Plus, it is satisfying to see the whole picture come together as you fit each piece into place. This is a good activity to do before bed, as it will help you avoid blue light, which messes with your circadian rhythm. Or there are Puzzle Apps you can download and take with you.
Have a Picnic
While you might not be able to have a picnic in the park, you can still enjoy one in your own backyard. You and the rest of your household can lay a blanket outside and get some sunshine while you eat. If you live alone, you can either enjoy a solo meal or you can video call someone to talk to while you eat. It will be relaxing to get some fresh air while you eat a nice meal.
Virtually Travel
Although you can’t physically travel, with modern-day technology you can travel virtually. With the pandemic currently ongoing, many institutions such as the Smithsonian are offering virtual tours. For example, the Smithsonian has released 68 episodes of “Ariel America” for free, so you can see the birds-eye view of America from the comfort of your own home. If you have always wanted to visit a foreign culture, you can look up a recipe from that country, load up a virtual tour, and pretend you are there. It is not the same as actually being there, of course, but you will still have fun.
