It’s very important that we protect ourselves and the community and “stay at home”, but let’s be honest – no matter how much you love your apartment, it can get boring after a while. You can use the internet to stay connected and explore the world on your computer or smart device! There are plenty of resources to help you stay entertained, sane, and engaged with the community. Below are a few of our favorite ideas to make “staying at home” beneficial to you and your family:
Stay connected. Your PC and smart devices will help you to stay in touch with family and friends and avoid feelings of isolation. You can also use the internet to meet new friends and get involved with your community thanks to a variety of online resources. Join a book club and discuss new releases and classic literature, or chat about more than 70,000 music topics with fellow music lovers. Meditate with other enthusiasts from around the world, or get support from parents who know how hard it is to homeschool your kidsOpen your mind. Staying at home is the perfect opportunity to learn a new skill or try a new hobby. You and your family can learn a new language with online resources like Rosetta Stone or Babbel. You can also take classes on everything from writing poetry to music – get started with SkillShare.
Explore your kitchen. A healthy diet is important when you need to boost immunity and improve your attitude. If you are just learning how to cook, Gordon Ramsey will lead you through the basics, or you can improve your knife skills with Jamie Oliver. Experienced home chefs might want to try something new, like learning how to create complex pastries or discovering the nuances of Chinese cuisine.
Workout at home. Your community gym is most likely closed, but you can stay in shape or start a healthy exercise program right in your apartment. Experts say that active lifestyles boost immunity and help to eliminate anxiety. Go for a walk or a run, or try one of these online workouts:
Low Impact Workout for Beginners
High-Intensity Interval Training
Barre Body Sculpting Workout
Expand your horizons. While you’re stuck at home, your computer and smart devices can help you to explore and learn more about the world online. Delve into your family history with Ancestry.com, go on a virtual safari via webcam, or visit a museum or national park on your smart TV. You can experience many fascinating destinations right from your sofa including:
- Smithsonian Museum of Natural History
- National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
- The British Museum
- The Natural History Museum
- The Van Gogh Museum
- The Louvre
- The National Gallery of Art
- Yellowstone
- Colonial Williamsburg
- Jamestown
Make a plan for your escape. Plan for the future after the “stay at home” order is over by planning a vacation to a place you’ve never been! Search potential colleges with your high school student and take a virtual tour of potential universities to attend, or get excited about a Disney vacation by taking a virtual ride at several Disney locations worldwide.
Have fun. When it’s time to take a break from your devices and computer, give these great crafts and activities a try and take some time to enjoy the people you live with every day in a new, fun way.
While COVID-19 may present challenges to our families and communities, we also have the chance to take advantage of unique opportunities: to learn new things, to reach out to our loved ones, and to look beyond our daily routine for a new perspective. Stay safe, stay connected – we can not only survive, but we can also improve!