By now you might be feeling a little stir crazy, but don’t dismay, you are definitely not alone (no pun intended).
“I cannot overstate the importance of staying positive. Statements like ‘this is so boring’ or ‘I can’t do this’ will only add to your frustration,” says therapist Marjetta Gulley, LCSW, who warns about the mental toll self-isolation can take on individuals of all ages.
Instead of focusing on what you can’t do, Gulley recommends directing your attention to the pastimes you can do now—or all the home-based activities you never got the chance to start. Here are a few quick suggestions that will help to pass the time, while keeping your mental health in check.
Play Like a Kid Again
For young children, socialization mainly centers around play, according to Gulley. “It is important to have playtime activities to reduce the feelings of boredom,” she says, adding sadness may also arise if they think their friends have forgotten them.
So, make more moments for some good old-fashioned playtime, which is something adults can enjoy, too. Channel your inner child, then breakout the board games, flex your imagination in a few make-believe toy sessions and or revisit those backyard games like tag.
>> RELATED: Bored at home? Atlantans are turning to good old-fashioned board games
Digital Museums, Programming and Event Streams
Since museums are closed, many are offering online programming. For example, the Center for Puppetry Arts is offering free online streaming of their puppet shows while the Georgia Aquarium is offering lesson plans for children.
Also, don’t assume you have to stay in the state just because you’re confined to your house. Some of the world’s most notable museums are open for free digital exploration, such as Musée d’Orsay in Paris, the National Gallery of Art in D.C. and even New York City’s Metropolitan Opera, which is offering nightly streaming of their past performances.
>>RELATED: 5 Atlanta museums, attractions offering virtual programs for kids
Gardening
Fresh air is highly encouraged during this period of quarantine. And choosing to garden during your daily outdoor time can bud a bounty of therapeutic benefits, from reduced stress to weight management through increased physical activity (probably a welcomed bonus if you’ve been overindulging on your bunker snacks).
>>RELATED: Amid pandemic, interest in gardening surges across metro Atlanta
Pike Nurseries, the popular Georgia-grown lawn and garden center, is offering online purchasing for delivery and curbside pickup.
Learn or Hone a Skill
Is there something you always wanted to try but never had the time? Well, if this lockdown has given you more time, then why not start those foreign language classes, learn to paint and bake those recipes you’ve been meaning to try?
There’s a multitude of virtual classes offered on the web—even Emory Continuing Education is offering online courses for subjects like graphic design and creative writing.
Spring Clean
OK, it may not sound like the type of “fun” you’re hoping for, but hear us out—or rather just listen to Gulley since she’s the therapist.
“Pack up winter clothes for storing,” she says. “Arrange your furniture. This may be a good time to let your creativity flow by thinking of new ways to set up your bedroom, etc.”
>>RELATED: How to properly clean your home
Since you’re likely stuck in the house for a few more weeks (months maybe), having a clean, decluttered and refreshed living space will do wonders for your outlook. And in a better mood, you’re more likely to have more energy and enthusiasm to engage in activities that bring more joy.
Get More Social on Social Media
Gulley says this period of isolation may hit some teens the hardest since their social life is considered their world.
“Ironically, social media avenues may just be a saving grace for them during this time,” she says, adding, “Parents will want to assist teens in deciding how much social media is too much.”
So, allow yourself and your family to enjoy a healthy amount of social media—even consider engaging together as a family.
TikTok is shaping up to be a fun source of social entertainment during the quarantine with videos featuring dance trends, celebrity and influencers and comical skits. But there’s also social watch parties on Netflix Party and Facebook, in which viewers watch a show or movie together while engaging in a sidebar chatting session with other viewers.
Make That Call
Check up on family and friends you haven’t spoken to in a long time. Those “catching up” conversations may fulfill the social void you’ve been missing. Plus, check on your elderly friends and family, whom Gulley says may be most affected by the quarantine.
“Older people who live alone may [experience] health decline due to social isolation because they are not being actively seen in social settings such as church or senior activities,” she says. “And take time for [a deeper] conversation as it is difficult to tell what is needed with short exchanges.”
Get a Move On
Just because we’re all homebodies now, doesn’t mean we have to give up our beach bodies (or our body goals, anyway). By now, you know all the benefits of exercise—from stress relief, mood enhancement, weight management, better sleep to more productivity. And a break in the day to break out of your sedentary slump can add a little fun and excitement.
Even though your gym may be closed, there are plenty of online training resources, including a few local metro-Atlanta trainers, like @TaddasFitness, @Mr.ShutUpandTrain and @TerryblyFit, who are posting workouts or virtual sessions on their Instagram accounts.
“Don't forget to exercise. Go for a walk or pull up a video to learn a new routine,” says Gulley, who recognizes the mental relief and stability exercise can bring during trying times. “Meditation is good too!”
And with meditation apps seeing a boost in usage since the quarantine, then you wouldn’t be alone, here, either.
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