As we come to the end of what feels like a very long year, it is important we find healthy ways to pass time while social distancing. Since social activities have needed to be put on pause there is no better time to find new ways to keep our mind and body active. To play our part in staying indoors to help keep our communities safe, trying out some independent activities will help us get through these trying times in the most proactive way.
Pick Up a New Hobby
Instead of wasting hours of the day planted in front of the television, try a new hobby that is mentally stimulating and engaging. Being cooped up indoors can make it easy to be lazy but turning focus to a hobby like knitting is more therapeutic way to turn lounging into a cognitive exercise. There are plenty of patterns for knitters and crocheters from beginner to advance to try, such as:
- Face masks
- Throw blankets
- Chunky scarves and shawls
The beauty of knitting is all the creative possibilities and ways to make each project unique. Get playful with what colors to use and pick fun projects to stay motivated to finish whatever you have chosen to knit. If knitting does not exactly catch your interest, there are many other creative indoor hobby ideas to give a try, for example:
- Painting
- Scrapbooking
- Cooking
Time will fly when you practice knitting or other creative talents to keep the mind sharp and fine motor skills tuned while staying socially distant.
Make Time for Exercise
One of the best things we can do to ensure a healthy lifestyle is to exercise daily. Since going to the gym should not be on our to do list at the moment, it is important to find other ways to give our bodies the exercise they need. The commonly known suggestion is that everyone should have at least 30-minutes of exercise per day. With that said, knowing beneficial ways to get our body moving despite restrictions of our surroundings is a must. There is no need to skip working out during social distancing because there are great exercises to do at home without equipment. Some easy to get in to exercises to consider trying at home are:
- Yoga
- Dancing
- Walking up and down stairs
- Squats and lunges
By incorporating exercise into our daily routine, we can anticipate feeling less stressed and more energized from day to day. It is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle during social distancing to ensure a positive mindset during these difficult times.
Clean and Reorganize
An excellent activity for when stuck at home is to clean up your living space. A clear mind is hard to find in a cluttered room, so start by getting rid of any garbage or junk that has started to pile up. Once your home is clear of dirt and clutter have some fun reorganizing. Start with one area at a time, like the kitchen cabinets or a closet. Cleaning and reorganizing are sure ways to keep proactively busy while spending prolonged periods of time at home.
