Fun and interesting things you can do at home during self-isolation
As Borris Johnson has now introduced further restrictions for a minimum of 3-weeks for all of the British public, it’s safe to say some of us may be getting bored. If you’re on the lookout for a few things you can do when in isolation, here are a few that may interest you and will hopefully add a little enjoyment to your day.
- Board games – as a child I remember I could not get enough of board games, a personal favourite was Monopoly, many of us have them lying about in our garage or the back of our closets, and now would be the perfect time to dig them out. Playing with your family will be a great way to pass time together and also a chance to introduce younger members of the family to them, giving them a chance they may not have previously had to learn to play. Other games for two players are games such as Chess or Draughts – perfect if you’re looking to play with someone. If you don’t have any on hand, you can also download apps for tablets and phones and play on a virtual board, or on computer if you live alone.
- Art- Adult colouring and painting – is great for relaxation and perfect for those who find creativity fun. You may think this isn’t for you, but give it a try and it may surprise you. You can also do fun things such as making your own slime or play dough, letting your inner child run wild. If you’re looking to improve your basic drawing skills, watch some YouTube videos which can help. There really is something for everyone and for all levels of skill.
- Baking and cooking – For fans of The Great British Bake Off, this is the perfect chance to get your oven gloves on and get baking! To make things more interesting try using ingredients you have at home and exploring new recipes using weird ingredients in your kitchen. This can be fun and can be a way to find some new food favourites. Spend time using ingredients in your kitchen creating new cuisines and food, or old favourites with a twist. You can also set yourself a time limit for fun and allocate teams for separate meals at home to help divide the cooking up too.
- Spend some quality time with your pet – If you have a pet it may be tough on them being isolated too, especially if they’re now indoors far more than usual. Playing with your pet in your garden or in the home is a great way to have fun and get some exercise yourself. The Government has also stated that leaving your house once a day for exercise as long as you maintain the social distance is a choice. This can be a great chance to walk your pet and also get some fresh air.
- Get to know your family – this may sound a little weird considering you live with them. But spending quality time with the people that you live with and getting to know them better is a great way to pass the time, this can be done through conversations and spending a day doing all your family members favourite things such as eating all their favourite meals, doing their favourite exercises, listening to their favourite songs, watching their favourite TV programme etc.
- Look after your garden – if you have a garden, now would be a great time to clean it up and trim your plants and even plant any new seeds you may have at home. Gardening isn’t only great for your garden but also your mind, getting younger members of your family involved is a great way to occupy them too.
- Binge-watch a series – I can admit I shamelessly binge watch series on Netflix far more than I should, I’ve recently got into The stranger and I am truly hooked. If you enjoy watching TV programmes and movies, share suggestions with your friends and family.
- Read that book – the one that you’ve been meaning to get around to for ages but haven’t been able to find the time. Or revisit a classic and fall in love with it all over again, I plan on reading “Les Miserables” finally!
- Pamper yourself – and make an evening out of it, put on a feel good movie and go all out, throwing yourself a giant pamper session. Paint your nails, put on your face masks and hair masks and get your family involved.
- Camp in your back garden – Set up a tent with your family in your back garden, or if you don’t have a tent, have a sleepover in your living room, don’t forget the hot chocolate, marshmallows and delicious snacks that come with camping. Tell ghost stories and play games such as truth or dare with your family, you can also play the board games mentioned above.
Regardless of what you choose to do, be safe. Remember to follow Government guidance and stay inside and with your family. This can be particularly tough when you’re all cooped up and emotions get the best of you, but remember you’re all in this together. In fact we all are, check in on your friends and those you love via phone calls and face-time and remember everyone is bound to be feeling worried and anxious.