Updated on 04/17/2020, 1:00 PM EST
Currently, 45 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico are under total or partial stay-at-home orders to help reduce the spread of the coronavirus. Stay-at-home orders restrict people from leaving their homes for non-essential reasons. And when people leave their homes, they should wear a face covering and practice social distancing measures.
Before the pandemic, you had weekends filled with get-togethers with friends, shopping, dinners out, movies, professional sports outings and children’s parties. Now you need to find the activities to keep you and your family from sinking into boredom.
Here are some weekend ideas to consider while still practice social distancing.
Got Cabin Fever?
Make a video date: Your friends are probably as bored as you are. Use video conferencing platforms, like FaceTime, Skype or Zoom, to connect to your pals for a virtual coffee date, a virtual pizza party or a virtual happy hour.
Try a home workout: All AmeriLife employees and their families have access to BurnAlong, an online platform that offers more than 1,000 classes in more than 30 health and wellness categories.
Always wanted to try a yoga class? BurnAlong has 24 classes, ranging from beginner to advanced levels. Added a few pounds after eating your quarantine snacks? BurnAlong can help with classes on nutrition. Has the pandemic upped your stress? BurnAlong offers stress reduction classes to help you cope.
Interested in what BurnAlong can offer you? Click here to get started.
Spending 20 minutes taking in your local scenery can leave you feeling calmer and more focused.
Feel Like Nesting?
Clean a closet: Imagine the sense of accomplishment you’ll feel when you have a clean and organized closet. Now that you have some time, you can take stock of the clothes in the back of your closet, unused sports equipment or toys, and other possessions you’ve accumulated.
Set aside items to donate once social distancing guidelines are lifted.
Really clean your refrigerator: It’s a process that is practical and productive. Examine the expiration dates on all the containers and toss out the out-of-date items. Wipe down all the surfaces and drawers. Don’t forget to check the freezer for outdated perishables.
Embrace your inner chef: While on quarantine, why not try a new recipe or perfect your culinary skills? The internet is packed with ideas galore, no matter what you’re craving.
Want to Help Others?
Support someone you know: You can make a positive difference in small ways. Do you have an elderly neighbor who could use some help with groceries? How about the parents down the street who could use some books for the kids?
Helping others can make the challenges of social distancing more tolerable.
Donate to a food relief program: During the coronavirus pandemic, many households are suffering. If you can make a financial donation, consider giving to a local charity. Or consider making a donation to Feeding America. Did you know AmeriLife already has a solid relationship with Feeding America through YourMedicare.com, which helps feed 10 individuals with every Medicare Advantage or Prescription Drug Plan application submitted through the YourMedicare Enrollment Center? YourMedicare has already fed nearly half a million people – our goal is to feed 1 million individuals in 2020.
Support neighborhood businesses: Coronavirus restrictions have been hard on local businesses, like restaurants. Keep your community thriving by ordering takeout or delivery from your favorite neighborhood eatery.
Does Your Mind Need a Boost?
Read for pleasure: Give your brain a break from work emails and news reports with something you find enjoyable. You have great options: re-read old favorites from your bookshelf, order books online or check out ebooks from your local library.
Tackle a new skill: Support long-term brain health by taking on mind-challenging tasks. Some don’t require special tools or equipment, like learning a language, drawing and writing. YouTube is a great resource for online tutorials to get started.
Meditate: Regular meditation can help reduce stress, control anxiety and promote emotional health. Go to your favorite app store to find a wide variety of meditation apps for beginners.
Click here for more ideas to banish the boredom that comes with social distancing.
Fun Things to Do With Kids While Social Distancing
You may find that your children are distressed or anxious with the rigors of social distancing. They miss the normalcy they get with their friends and school routines.
But with a little imagination, kids can still have social interactions, while practicing safe, social distancing measures.
- Get walkie-talkies and share with neighborhood friends
- Write a letter to a classmate
- Take online, interactive kids’ classes
- Have a Netflix party using the Google Chrome extension that synchronizes the playback of a film and allows people to chat on a sidebar
- Go on walks “together” with friends, only on opposite sides of the street or at a six foot distance
- Create a video for grandparents
- Hire a virtual tutor for help with math, English, science or specific school assignments
Click here for more ideas on keeping kids engaged while social distancing, and have a great weekend!
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