Facts and information about the coronavirus pandemic are constantly changing. Visit the CDC site for the most up-to-date information during the COVID-19 outbreak.
The best way to protect yourself and others from 2019 novel coronavirus is to stay home as much as possible. However, isolating yourself at home can affect your mental, emotional, and physical health. Loneliness, boredom, and sedentary living are just a few of the obstacles to overcome during isolation. Here are some ways to pass the time with your family during your self-quarantine.
Create something
Build some furniture, paint a picture, write a song, or invent something new. Upcycle or repurpose some long-forgotten goods in your garage, attic, or storage shed.
Knitting, sewing, whittling, and other hobbies can easily fall by the wayside when we get busy. Take advantage of at-home time to get back to a skill you haven’t been using.
Become famous
Write and perform a story or play with your family and share it with the world on social media. Or just save it to watch with your family on a rainy day once the pandemic is over.
Learn or practice a skill
Take the opportunity to learn how to play an instrument, master a new dance move, or finally learn how to shuffle and bridge a deck of cards.
Movie marathon
Whittle down your watch list. Watch some classic cinema, get caught up on your superhero movies, or rewatch one of your favorite movie series from start to finish.
Learn how to cook a healthy dish
With restaurant dining areas being closed and gatherings of more than 10 people being canceled, it’s a great time to learn how to cook a healthy homemade meal.
We have some great healthy recipes at this website.
Be productive
You suddenly have time to do all of those household chores that you never have time to do. Organize a closet or pantry, sort through your garage, and gather things to donate to charity
Spend time outside
Take advantage of nice weather. Clean out the gutters, knock out your yard work, and spend some time tending your garden. Sit and chat on the deck, porch, or patio. Play lawn games or a just stretch your legs and burn some energy outdoors.
Classic ways to pass the time
Do a jigsaw puzzle, play board games, read a book, play cards, build a fort, or play tag or hide-n-seek. Modern families often have such busy schedules that they don’t have time to enjoy this kind of old-fashioned fun.
Introduce your kids to games like jacks and jump rope. Ask your parents what people used to do for fun before the internet. You might find new-to-you occupations that will stay fun after the crisis ends.
Learn something new
Start learning a new language, memorize a poem, brush up on your trivia, or learn how to identify flora and fauna.
YouTube has instructional videos for almost anything you can think of. Join with family and friends in a virtual watch party and learn together.
Stay active
Go for a walk through your neighborhood, practice yoga, stretch, or dance. Stream a live workout from home, jog on the treadmill, or ride your bike.
Do not go to playgrounds, ball courts, or sports fields. These are high-use areas that can increase exposure to 2019 coronavirus.
Set a record
Run your fastest mile, do more pushups than you’ve ever done before, or challenge your family to see who can stand on one leg the longest.
Enjoy the great outdoors
Find a remote trail, lake, or stream and safely enjoy hiking, fishing, paddling, or mountain biking. As of this writing Arkansas State Parks remain open, although certain park facilities are limited.
- Avoid crowds and practice social distancing while out in public.
- Keep driving distances short—one to two hours—as discretionary travel is currently not advised.
- Bring all of your food and supplies (such as hand sanitizer, water, and first aid kit) with you and limit interactions with others.
Stay connected
Call friends and family or get together through video chat. Share your projects with others and keep loved ones updated on social media.
Practice COVID-19 prevention
- Wash your hands often.
- Practice social distancing; stay six feet away from others when in public.
- Do not touch your face.
- Cover your coughs and sneezes with the inside of your elbow or a tissue.
- Stay home if you are sick.
Help flatten the curve
Social distancing isn’t necessarily fun or easy, but it helps keep our healthcare system from being overwhelmed and reduces the number of severe cases of COVID-19. Staying home and limiting your contact with others is a simple way to help protect your community and minimize the effects of the coronavirus outbreak.
- Stay home as much as possible during the COVID-19 outbreak.
- Do not leave home if you are sick or experiencing symptoms.
- If you must leave your home, practice social distancing.
Do not walk in to your doctor’s office if you develop COVID-19 symptoms—coughing, fever, shortness of breath. Instead, call your doctor’s office first for instructions. You can have a screening with your MANA doctor by TeleVisit safely from your home.