Coronavirus: Entertaining Things To Do While Social Distancing

busy mom working on laptop and noisy children running around
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Social distancing is the new norm thanks to the continued spread of Covid-19. People are stuck at home all day, which can be pretty boring and monotonous. The fun activities that we are used to- swimming, partying, traveling, hiking- are no longer viable. However, new ideas are born during crises like the one coronavirus has brought unto us. So, instead of feeling sorry for yourself because you aren’t hanging with friends as often as you’d want, engage your creativity and come up with something entertaining to do while in social isolation.

To give you an idea of what we mean, here are 7 activities that will keep you entertained in this era of social distancing:

1. Read a book

Well, most libraries and bookstores are closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but that should not dim your reading spirits. Red the books you already have, re-read any material that inspired you the first time you read it. Once you have cleared everything in the house, there are millions of e-books that you can buy and read online.

2. Hold game nights

Playing board or video games is a good way to kill time and fight boredom. There are tons of games that you can play online, including virtual games that can be played by multiple players from multiple remote locations. If you are lucky to have roommates who are into board games, then, by all means, play any game you can come across. You can find hours of gaming content on YouTube and other video streaming platforms. What’s more, you can even invent your own game to try the many viral challenges celebrities are sharing on TikTok, Instagram, and other social media platforms.

3. Don’t just use a computer, make one!

With the Pi, you can discover many thrilling tech items, e.g. an open-source computer. All you need is a Raspberry Pi 4 and a few Google searches and you will be ready to unlock the unlimited raspberry possibilities. If you know a thing or two about resistors, transistors, and capacitors, using a Raspberry Pi to make a computer will take you less than a day. This open-source computer comes with a graphical user interface (GUI) and many pre-built applications, so you don’t need any prior coding knowledge to get started. Understanding the basics of PHP or Python languages is just an added advantage; you will make something bespoke with such basic understanding.

4. Work it out

Gyms are closed, walks to the park aren’t safe anymore, and most outdoor activities have been prohibited in most regions. That is, however, not a reason to quit working out altogether. It’s great if you have a garden where you can ride a bike, run or sprint, or create a make-shift gym using materials found around your compound. If you don’t have a garden, create an exercise regime indoors or at the balcony. You will be entertained and at the same time keep fit.

5. Do a group crossword puzzle

Do the New York Times crossword, or whichever puzzle you have access to. Now that your friends are locked up miles across town, doing the crosswords over Skype or text might be your best option right now. Either of the methods is tedious, but at least you will get a sense of normalcy and continuity even when you are alone in the house.

6. Guided meditation

Meditation allows you to work through any coronavirus-related fears. If you are worried about your health, the safety of the people you love, or your financial position post-coronavirus, meditation will help you rise above those worries. Leverage the many online guided meditation or yoga courses.

7. Zoom cooking competitions

Hold an at-home cook-off with your friends, only that you will be doing it via Zoom or Skype. You just need to agree on the food choices, ingredients to use, and the time, and then someone sets the timer for everyone to start/stop cooking. The presentation and creativity of each participant will be the judging parameters because, for obvious reasons, tasting is off the table at the moment.

Conclusion

As COVID-19 social distancing and self-quarantining continue, it is upon each one of us to come up with creative ideas that will make social isolation a little less boring. If you have discovered anything fun, remember to share with the world via online platforms.

About Sensory Edge 174 Articles
Articles written by SensoryEdge are a combined effort of the SensoryEdge publishing staff. At SensoryEdge our focus is to educate, inform, and inspire each person caring for children to be and do their very best. It is not always easy and sometimes we don't take action (or we take the wrong action) because of a lack of understanding the real issues. We hope that the conversations that occur here will help in some small way better the lives of children, their families, and the professionals who work with them.