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).
