Being stuck at home can get a bit dull once the novelty has warn off and it can be difficult for those that aren't used to being stuck at home but there's plenty of things that you can do to keep occupied during this period of isolation due to this coronavirus.
- Do some online or distance learning such as through your local college or places like Skill Share or the free courses the the Open University offer on a wide variety of topics.
- Do some long awaited organisation and decluttering of your home - I've been going through my craft supplies finding things to donate and making bette use of my storage spaces.
- Skype or FaceTime family and friends, maybe have a virtual coffee catch-up.
- Get creative like drawing, origami, macrame, painting, crocheting, jewellery making etc, or learning something new. For example a new craft you've always wanted to master or a project you've been waiting to have the time to do. I always say that we all have a creative streak in us. There are also colouring apps you can do.
- Activity books. I like Criss-Cross, word searches, sticker-by-numbers and colouring books. You can do some online puzzles here.
- Get into mindfulness or meditation - there's some good apps out there or there's plenty of choice on YouTube from guided visualisation to breathing exercises or a personal favourite which is a colour meditation. If you don't get along with one thing try something different like for me I'm not too keen on guided visualisation.
- Do some exercise by joining an online class or watching a YouTube tutorial.
- Start learning a new language. British Sign has a time limited offer where you can pay what yo can to learn BSL. BBC Languages is also a great website with free learning to a wide variety of languages.
- Watch films or TV programs. There are plenty of boxsets to watch for free on some of the main channel's apps like BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, 4 OD and My5
- Read books, or find new blogs to read.
- Listen to music to an audiobook or podcast. BBC Sounds have a great selection of podcasts on a variety of topics and genres.
- Join virtual groups - someone sent me a link to an online card making class today.
- Join online support groups, some you can just post freely and some are organised chat forums on set date and times.
- Take a virtual tour around art galleries - Google Arts & Culture have a great list here.
- If you're into it, organise you're Pinterest account and find new pins to inspire you.
- Play app games; some you can link up with friends and play virtually. Some app games I like are 1010, 2048, Sneezies and Sneezies Match, Angry Birds and card games.
- Do a jigsaw puzzle. If you don't have any at home you can download some jigsaw puzzle apps.
To those housebound due to chronic illness/disability
This list may also be helpful if you are housebound due to illness and you can adapt to your limits for example I've found that my local college have given me extended deadlines to give me extra time to complete work.
The RNIB Reading Service also have a talking book library that people who struggle to read due to a physical impairment can access for free.
Some of the suggestions are more basic too such as app games which can help ease the boredom on a bad day.
An extra suggestion that is more of a long-term activity is to start a blog or YouTube channel.
