Wholesome Activities for Social Distancing

A growing number of states are implementing social distancing policies to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. While most people expect the quarantine to last about two weeks, recent recommendations by the surgeon general report that this two-week window might not be enough.

In fact, the surgeon general predicts that the current pandemic could last 18 months or longer in some areas of the United States. While 15 days is typically enough time to see the rate of infection plateau, we might have to stay cooped up for longer than we initially anticipated.

It doesn’t matter if you consider yourself an introvert or not; going long times without seeing other people can make anyone go a little stir crazy. With so much free time on your hands, it makes sense that you’d want to get into new hobbies or partake in wholesome activities to free yourself from the stress you’re under.

Without further ado, here are some of the best wholesome activities you can perform to stay positive indoors.

Video chat with friends

One of the worst components of isolation is, well, isolation. Not being able to see friends and family members for extended periods of time can lead to feelings of stress, irritation, and loneliness. Most people can’t even resist putting down their cell phone while driving if it means they can answer a text or respond to an email.

The best way to combat feelings of loneliness is by video chatting with your friends online. iPhone users can facetime while Facebook users can speak face to face right through the app. There are plenty of other video chatting options out there. If hearing someone’s voice is good, seeing their face is even better. That way, you can pick up on changes in emotion and facial expression, making you feel more connected than other forms of communicating. If you’re stuck cooped up in your apartment, pick up your phone to relieve some tension.

Watch wholesome movies

Many people are streamlining their movie lists to take in as much media as they can during social isolation. However, certain movies aren’t good to watch alone. Even the biggest fan of horror movies might get a little down in the dumps when too much negative energy is flung at them. Over 50% of people prefer to rent their homes, but if your neighbor drops something in the middle of the night, it can be enough to put anyone on edge.

When you’re ready to shake up your movie routine, the best thing you can do is watch some wholesome flicks. This doesn’t mean you have to watch Disney movies until you know all the songs: rather, finding films with unique and heartwarming messages is the best way to go. There’s no shame in finding a great movie with a happy ending to cheer you up.

Here are some of the most wholesome movies you can watch when you’re stuck distancing yourself from others:

• Groundhog Day: What better way to beat the monotony of isolation than watching a man go through the same day over and over again? This movie has just the right mix of wholesome, funny, and smart scenes to make it beloved by just about anyone.
• Fantastic Mr. Fox: This animated Wes Anderson feature is a whimsical film everyone will love, parents and children alike. Even the most cynical of film critics will appreciate the painstaking process that went into creating this artful film.
• The Pursuit Of Happyness: Are you ready to cry to Will Smith. So are we. Time to get cathartic.

Make some art

When was the last time you flexed your creative muscle?

If you’re a hardworking business professional, it can be easy to neglect your hobbies. After all, you simply want to sit back and relax after work. That might mean turning on the television or just browsing your phone for hours on end.

But making art is one of those hobbies that just keeps on giving. Even if you’re not the best artist, the feeling of practicing and creating can be inspiring on its own. If you do have a creative bone in your body, you can even create some art to donate to volunteer organizations, friends, and family members. Even the most expensive apartments can benefit from the personal touch of a unique piece of art.

These are just some of the activities that you can try when you’re feeling a little stir crazy. Whether it means connecting virtually, turning on the television, or creating something from scratch, you never know when these tips will come in handy during social distancing.