A vast majority of individuals and families are likely to experience cabin fever during this time of physical distancing and self-isolation. Have fun being stuck (or as I like to say “safe”) at home by participating in actives that you enjoy.

Here are some ideas to keep you and/or your family occupied at home:

• Animal Cam. Watch wild animals on a live feed or listen to the different animal sounds in the background.
• Ask a close friend to introduce you to someone they think you’re compatible with
• Aroma therapy
• Bake something yummy
• Build a bird house
• Burn some sage
  
• Camp indoors
• Create a collage
• Create crafts or DIY projects around the house. Pinterest has some great ideas.
• Clean out the refrigerator
• Date night! Dress up and order in food or make a meal together
• Dance to loud music
• DIY Facials using products you may already have at home. Check out Pinterest for recipes.
• Do a puzzle
  
• Exercise
  
• Family board game night
• Family karaoke night
• Family paint night. Follow this link for edible paint recipes
  
• Garden. You can even start off by planting seeds indoors and repotting them later
• Get some fresh air
• Give each other a massage
• Go for a drive – you don’t need to have a destination in mind
• Go for counselling. Serenity offers telepsychology services, so you don’t need to leave your house
• Have a controlled fire in your back yard
• Have an indoor picnic
• Have a spa night
• Have a photoshoot
• Have a tea party (or a virtual tea party)
• Have a themed movie night
• Hula hoop
  
• Journal write your thoughts, feelings, and goals
• Learn a new hobby or skill. For example, knitting or drawing. YouTube videos are great for this!
• Learn a new instrument. There are several apps and YouTube videos to get you started, even if you don’t own an instrument
• Learn to read sheet music
• Learn a dance routine
• Listen to audio books
• Make Christmas Cards
• Make a Halloween costume
• Make some lemonade
• Make Play Dough. Follow this link for an easy recipe
• Marathon a movie series (my personal favorites are Harry Potter and the Lord of the Rings trilogy)
• Meditate
• Organize your shelves, closets, and drawers
• Online dating
• Paint your fence or walls
• Plan future activities and trips to look forward to
• Pray
• Read a book
• Reenact a first date
• Redecorate your house
• Run through the sprinklers
• Scrap book
• Set up an inflatable pool in your yard
• Spring cleaning: take this time to clean and reorganize. Rearrange the furniture and clean your appliances
• Stargaze
  
• Take a bubble bath
• Take an online course
• Take a walk
• Talk to someone you haven’t spoken to in awhile
• Teach your dog a new trick
• Try out different recipes
• Try to make each other laugh
• Video chat with your friends or family
• Virtual paint night with your friends or family
• Virtual prayer groups
• Watch your wedding video or a loved one’s wedding video
• Write a letter to your future self
• Write a song
• Write short stories or poems
• Write goals that you would like to accomplish for when you are free from self-isolation
• Yoga (YouTube has great videos that you can stretch along to)
  

Self-isolation can be tough. Everyone has a point at which irritability peaks, and you find yourself amidst various emotions. Remember, you’re absolutely not alone and there’s a very good chance that a friend or family member is also going through similar emotions. Don’t be afraid to reach out.

If you have any questions or if you are interested in booking a counselling session, please email nadia@serenitynowwellness.ca, or call (403) 454-7600. Nadia is also able to offer telepsychology services (counselling via phone or by video).