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Five Minutes to Thrive: 35 Things To Do During “Social Distancing”

  • Published
  • By Dr. Ashley Kilgore
  • 5th OMRS Mental Health Clinic

During this time of uncertainty, many of us may be stuck indoors as schools, businesses, and restaurants close their doors. A review of the research on the psychological impacts of quarantine published in the February edition of the journal Lancet found that confinement, loss
of usual routine, and reduced social and physical contact routinely cause boredom, frustration, and isolation, which many found to be distressing…duh! (Brooks et al, 2020).

Here are 35 things you can do if you find yourself stuck at home:

  • Go for a walk
  • Start spring cleaning
  • Work on a puzzle or crossword
  • Organize your closet
  • Download a language app & learn a new language
  • Treat yourself to an at-home spa day that you might not have had the time for during your typical week
  • Catch up on your favorite television shows
  • Read a new book
  • Use a video chat platform to reconnect with old friends, or check in on family members that live far away
  • Write a letter to someone you love
  • Meditate & practice deep breathing techniques
  • Begin writing in a journal
  • Reflect on what you have accomplished in the last year
  • Make a list of things you are grateful for
  • Catch up on household chores
  • Make a list of local places you want to visit once you are able to do so
  • Learn to cook a new dish
  • Make time to unwind
  • Build an emergency kit
  • Work on your personal financial plan
  • Listen to soothing music
  • Learn a new hobby
  • Take a nap
  • Stream a movie you have been meaning to watch
  • Play a favorite board game
  • Groom your pet
  • Have a picnic in your own yard
  • Watch funny videos
  • Create your own scrapbook
  • Learn a new skill
  • Make your electronic device less distracting
  • Make a bunch of meals in advance & freeze them
  • Drink plenty of water even if you don’t feel like it
  • Try to develop a new routine
  • Take an online course – there are tons of free or inexpensive courses on a multitude of topics