Some things to keep you sane while Social Distancing
In light of the Coronavirus pandemic it is imperative that each one of us do our bit to flatten the curve . “Social distancing now is one of the greatest calls for altruism.” If not for yourself, for the sake of others who are more vulnerable, behave responsibly; please stay at home if you can. This may seem like a daunting task and could look like an increase in loneliness and depression and all things distancing that have been plaguing the world much before the current viral pandemic, but it doesn’t have to be that way. This may actually be the perfect time to reflect on your life, do the things you have wanted to do but didn’t have the time for before, and most importantly reach out to people.
Here are some things you can do to keep busy, stay connected, and not go absofrigginlutely insane in these very crazy times. I plan to update the list as and when I find something interesting. Feel free to post your suggestions and fun ideas in the comments section below
- First, shut the news off. Set a time to check the news, and then turn it off. The constant tracking of news and pinging of notifications on your mobile devices isn’t going to do you or anyone around you any good. So stay away. Reduce your panic triggers.
- You gotta move it move it!
While it may be very tempting to lie around the house all day watching television, there’s only so much Grey’s anatomy and FRIENDS you can binge watch. It will all get old very quickly. Self isolating doesn’t mean sitting around all day. MOVE!!- Put on some music and dance
- Brisk walk around the house
- Stretch those muscles and yoga.
- Thanks to the internet you have a rich resource of fitness/workout videos available to you at all times. 30 minutes of exercise everyday should serve you well through this time of staying at home. Heres’ a list of 10 free workout apps to keep you fit while stay at home and social distancing.
- Take a tour, see a musical, attend the Opera!
- The Metropolitan Opera and the Berlin Philharmoniker are live streaming music concerts. Check them out, here
- Here’s a list of 15 Broadway Plays and Musicals You Can Watch On Stage From Home
- A Digital Carnatic Live Concert “Home and the World” aims to raise funds for artists who have been displaced financially by this Coronavirus situation. You can enjoy the music from the comfort of your homes and contribute to this cause here.
- The films in the Ann Arbor Film festival are available to view here
- Here are some Musicians Performing Concerts in Their Homes During the Lockdown So cool!
- Enjoy Italian musicians on balconies – You Can’t Quarantine Music
- CREATE SOMETHING. DRAW. PAINT. WRITE. EMBROIDER. BAKE.
- Art your way out of boredom. Pick up your paint brushes and go with the flow.
- Anyone need an ART CONSULTATION? This is where I come in. I am offering free art consultations for the next three weeks for both, aspiring
- Art buyers who may have queries on buying art, need advice on the kind of art that’s perfect for their space and solutions for sourcing art,
- And Artists who are looking for feedback on their art, have queries about tools or anything else art related.
- TO GRAB YOUR FREE ART CONSULTATION, write to me at asma.kazi@kaleidodrama.com
- The awesome folks at Sarmaya have introduced some lovely downloadable art stencils. They’ll help you recreate artworks from their indigenous and tribal art collection. You can download them here
- Some creators are giving online classes, or hosting drawing challenges, some of which you can access here
- Look for interesting art challenges on Instagram and art tutorials on YouTube. Or start your own art/craft challenge within your whatsapp group
- Cook a new recipe, post it on Instagram or Facebook and get the conversation going. Experiment with new recipes as group and discuss results.
- Do some arts and crafts projects with your kids
- Talk. Make a call. No don’t text, call. Call a friend or two. Speak to an elderly neighbor or relative everyday till this pandemic blows over.
- Read a book, be read to.
- Know the book in the pile of unread books that you’ve been meaning to read? Read it.
- Have fond memories of the Amar Chitra Katha and Tinkle comics? This one is for you. FREE ACCESS to both Tinkle and Amar Chitra Katha comic apps for an entire month! Get a FREE one month subscription to the entire catalogue till March 31st, 2020! That’s 100+ Tinkle Magazines and 350+ Amar Chitra Katha books for you and your family to read on your tabs and phones! Create an account at the following links, download apps and start reading now.
- For FREE access to the ACK app, click here: bit.ly/ACK1Month
- For FREE access to the Tinkle app, click here: bit.ly/Tinkle1Month
- Audible too has some fabulous books available to listen right now. You can check them out here
- Thank you Nirav for this info. For more links to audio books and comic books generously shared by Nirav Mehta, please send me a message.
- This one is for the little ones. The Fellowship of Children’s Literature World is setting up a book reading and discussion at 11am india time everyday. You can check details and join them at Senior Racoons Group on Facebook . If you have trouble finding the posts, just check the announcements or search the group with #ThodaReadingCORONA
- And from across the pond, Celebrities Are Reading Books in Free Virtual Storytime Sessions for Self-Quarantiners
- There’s Neil Gaiman offering tons of cool stuff for you to kill your time with.
- And 25 Alice Munro Stories You Can Read Online Right Now
- You can read the full first chapter, exclusive to The Beat, of Ram V and Anand RK‘s Grafity’s Wall here.The 144-page hardcover graphic novel is due to be out from Dark Horse in comic shops on Wednesday, March 25th, with a wide release on April 7th.
- If you are you a Stationery lover like I am, you should check out InkyMemo by Minjal Kadakia & Samir Bharadwaj. They send out some absolutely fascinating stationery themed stories. I am a HUGE fan! Read them, then subscribe to their newsletter.
- It is a good time to check out Purple Pencil Project. It is an Indian literary website that is doing some really good work.
- Subscribe to Kindle Unlimited It gives you access to a wide variety of books, and the first month is free!
- And, AND!! Have you read MAGICAL WOMEN yet? Good time to read it, don’t you think? You can buy a kindle version HERE
- Journal your thoughts.
- Create a Gratitude list at the end of each day. Even though things may seem dire, there’s so much to be grateful for.
- Meditate . Calm has some great resources that you can try here
- Listen to a podcast. Do yo have a favourite?
- Learn a new skill
- I personally love the courses that Coursera offers. I have completed a few art courses with them that were very engaging and insightful
- Start learning a new language
- Or pick one of the 450 Ivy League courses you can take online right now for free
- Sleep well
- Catch some fresh air, on your balcony.
- Tend to your kitchen garden
- Organise your bookshelf and closets. (OOOH FUNNN!!)
- And BREATHE This too shall pass, and we will hopefully come out of it more grounded and with a better sense of what’s important and what’s not
And while we stock up on food and other supplies, let us remember to share with the domestic workers, drivers, other support staff working in our households, and families that may need help in doing so.
Buy locally, and also please support artists, writers, musicians, other freelancers and small businesses as much as you can..
UPDATE : 25- MAR-2020
- Interested in catching some virtual performances? Look no further https://www.theaterseatstore.com/blog/virtual-theater-experiences This recommendation comes from Skylar from the Youth Ministry Group at St, Paul’s Church. Some of the members from the community – Joshua, Meg, Aubree, and Skylar , have been meeting virtually to create newsletters listing activity ideas for the congregation. How AWESOME is that!!. Thank you Margaret Bowen for introducing me to this awesome crew. Keep up the good work all of you!!
Be well, people!
❤
