10+ Fun, Free and Enriching Things To Do While Social Distancing
I am all for business development and marketing, but the new paradigm of living with social distancing can take a toll on us emotionally as well and we need to recharge. Our mental and emotional state needs some good input and positive connection time. So I've sifted through some of the barrage of resources coming through and curated a list of things that are unique ways to balance out our lives in the new normal.
Please add your activities that are keeping you sane, uplifted and help you feel like you're living a real life.
1. Visit a Museum
Yep, you can go to the museum virtually. Do it with a family member or friend, just like you would when you travel or do in your area.
https://www.travelandleisure.com/attractions/museums-galleries/museums-with-virtual-tours
2. Visit the San Diego Zoo By Web Cam
The animals are missing us humans. Though we can’t be there, we can watch them here: https://zoo.sandiegozoo.org/live-cams
This is a great booster of oxytocin the bonding hormone. Take someone on a virtual zoom date here (share screens).
3. Go to the Theater Friday Night or Saturday Afternoon
My favorite local theatre group in San Diego, MOXIE Theatre is doing something really innovative with theatre. Producing small shows about livestreaming on livestream platform. They are calling this a ZoomFest
http://www.moxietheatre.com/project/zoomfest/
MOXIE produces shows that defy stereotypes associated with “women’s work.” They expand what is considered feminine, portray more diverse and honest image of women and celebrates humanity. Go MOXIE!
4. Take Out An Audio Book from Your Local Library
Go to your library’s website to learn more. I have yet to do this, but I’m excited that I might just be able to give up Audible.
5. Send out 10 love notes
Use your email, text or messenger apps or free ecard service like OpenMe.com. Writing poistive throughts you’ve never shared with someone to them can be quite the cathartic and/or life enriching activity. If you want to feel better, try this one!
Use GIPHY.com and create your own gif. Upload a few images of yourself blowing a kiss. Then text this to your BFFs.
6. Go To An Ivy League School – Take Courses For Free
Yep, the Ivy’s are offering a limited number of courses. But hey, then you can say you’ve gone to Harvard ;-) https://www.classcentral.com/collection/ivy-league-moocs
7. Start A Netflix Party
You can watch together and chat with this chrome extension. Invite me, I want to try this one out: https://www.netflixparty.com/
8. Set Up A Surprise Tea Party for A Relative You’re At Home With Already
This one a friend of mine told me that she decided to do and I am borrowing it. Get your cousins, neighbors, friends on zoom or skype or other free web conferencing tool and have lunch together. If you need a web conference tool, check out the list of free ones here: https://www.lifewire.com/top-free-web-conferencing-tools-2377241
9. Host a Virtual Club Conference Call
You can still meet with the book club, garden club, knitting salon, Bible Study, discussion group or other interest group call (or start one anew). If your group is not tech savvy consider using a free conference call service where everyone can simply dial in by phone. Like this one: FreeConferenceCall.com
10. Go for a Walk and Phone Talk With A Friend
Go walking when you next call a friend/loved one on the phone (call your mom, sister, niece, uncle, cousin, BFF, or a neighbor). Make a date to do this.
11. Find or Host Community Events Online
Search meetup.com, Eventbrite.com – many organizers are doing things virtually right in your community.
I know there are literally hundreds of things you can think of or have heard about. Don’t be shy. Share your creativity and cool ideas here. You never know who will benefit from your sharing.