5 Ways To Make Social Distancing Not Suck
Four days into social-distancing and already getting a little stir-crazy? Us too. That’s why we’ve compiled this list to help keep you centered when your world seems like it’s spinning out of control. Maintaining a regular routine can help give you a sense of normalcy in a pretty abnormal situation. And luckily, we now have access to more free and low-cost resources through our devices.
Here are some ideas on how to use them to fill your days while staying close to home.
1. Get Moving
Your gym/yoga studio/dance classes may be out of commission but that doesn’t mean you can’t keep moving. For many of us, it is still safe to go for a walk, jog or hike while maintaining a safe distance from others. Feel better or safer staying in? Here are some free resources to get your daily dose of exercise in.
Yoga With Adriene:
Back pain? Anxiety? Core Strength? There’s yoga for that.
Boasting over six million subscribers and an extensive video catalogue, Adriene is a go-to source of all things yoga. As Adriene puts it, her free classes “welcome all levels, all bodies, all genders, all souls”.
Lululemon:
Did you know Lululemon offers free yoga videos classes led by their global ambassadors that are suitable for all levels? There is even a series dedicated to runners, so you could even pair it with your morning jog.
Nike Training Club:
If higher intensity, goal-oriented workouts are more your jam, check out the Nike Training Club App. It offers workouts for all fitness levels designed to help you train when you might not have gym access. Plus, you can track progress and set goals right in the free app (there are in-app upgrades).
POPSUGAR Fitness:
Don’t let a stale exercise routine be your excuse for skipping your workout. POPSUGAR Fitness offers workouts from a variety of styles (Zumba, Dance, Pilates, HIIT and more), session durations, and different ability levels so you can keep motivated to move at your own pace.
2. Find Creativity In The Kitchen
Meal planning can help you feel organized and ready for the week ahead. But it can also mean your meal roster gets a little tired. So, if you’re sick of your usual staples or have a recipe you’ve been meaning to try forever, now is the perfect time for some experimenting. Here are a few sites to bookmark and keep you nourished and excited about what’s on your plate:
Minimalist Baker:
Do long ingredient lists and complicated recipes turn you off from trying new things in the kitchen? Minimalist Baker’s plant-fueled recipes require 10 ingredients or less and take 30 minutes or less to prepare. And no, it’s not just baking 😉
Joyous Health:
Holistic Nutritionist, Joy McCarthy offers up healthy, satisfying recipes for all types of diets. Plus, she has a bunch of kid-friendly options so you can cook up something that the whole family can enjoy.
Oh She Glows:
Angela Liddon’s recipes are a staple in many vegan kitchens – and for good reason! With the meat aisles looking a little sparse in our grocery stores maybe now is the time to give vegan recipes a chance.
Bon Appetit:
Bon Appetit, and its offshoots Basically and Healthyish offers major food inspo for every palate.A favourite in the Rethink office, their recipes can always be counted on to bring you comfort and an Insta-worthy moment.
The Kitchn Cooking School:
Feeling less than confident in the kitchen? Now is the time to hone those skills. Luckily, the Kitchn offers a free video series to make you feel like a culinary pro.
3. Embrace Your Inner Artist
If you’re anything like us, you probably have an unopened paint set or abandoned craft box waiting for your attention. This is your chance to take on a new project and finally see it through. Here are some places you can go to feel inspired.
The Sorry Girls:
If you’re looking to start a new DIY project, The Sorry Girls is the perfect place to start. With fun new tutorials released every Tuesday you won’t be running out of ideas any time soon.
AhmadArt:
Sisters Aisha and Noor offer tutorials with acrylics and water colours for all skill levels. Think paint night, but in the comfort of your home and much safer for your immune system.
Skillshare:
Skillshare is a digital learning community offering classes on illustration, design, photography and more. No matter your skill level, this is an opportunity to lean into your artistic side with world class creatives from the comfort of your home. Plus, the first two months are free.
4. Connect With New And Old Friends
Social distancing doesn’t need to be social isolation. We may have a love-hate relationship with our devices, but they do make it pretty easy to stay connected. A good-old-fashioned phone call with an old friend or a text to check in on someone who is having a hard time can do wonders to make you feel less alone. If you’re looking to get a bit more creative, here are some ideas to get you going:
Connect with other breasties:
This time is hard for anyone, but it does pose some unique for those diagnosed with cancer (surprise, surprise). Whether COVID-19 is drudging up some old traumas or causing you extra concern, it may be time to find solace in your community. If you haven’t yet, join the Rethink Young Woman’s Network to meet other young women like you who just get it. Breast Cancer Healthline’s app is another place to go, hosting regular Live Chats on topics that are relevant to what you’re going through.
Virtual hangs:
Missing face-to-face contact? Old standards Google hangouts, Skype and FaceTime are great for that. If that’s not filling your social cup then let’s get creative. From virtual dinners and Netflix movie nights (your can all watch Netflix at the same time from a distance with this Chrome extension) to PowerPoint parties, the possibilities of what you can do from a distance are endless. Which leads us to….
Remote games night:
In search for a way to get out that competitive energy that won’t get you in trouble with your family or roomies? How about a games night – social distancing style? You can challenge friends and family to a round of your board games virtually. Many of your favourites can be access through your phone – Settlers of Catan, Uno (iOS, Google Play), Words With Friends (iOS, Android), and Monopoly (iOS, Android), just to name a few. Jackbox Games is also quickly becoming a party fave. Ranging from random trivia, drawing ridiculous things, showing off your rap battle skills and voting on the best inside joke, Jackbox offers something for pretty much everyone in your group.
Connect to a global community:
In an inspiring display of togetherness and community, people are sharing their talents to bring people together during these trying times. Ex-lady Gaga dancer Mark Kanemura hosts colourful, inclusive high energy dance parties daily via his Instagram channel at 5pm EST. The Arkells are offering virtual music lessons. And Global Citizen has been livestreaming concerts on Instagram with the likes of Chris Martin and John Legend.
5. Soothe Your Spirit
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by our current situation, you’re not alone. Maybe the beauty of everything being cancelled is that there is finally time to make mindfulness a priority? Whether you are a Zen master or a mediation newbie, here are some free or low-cost resources to help you feel more centered.
Virus Anxiety:
Feeling a spike in stress levels when you turn on the news? Virus Anxiety is working to collect reliable sources of information, so you don’t feel overwhelmed by information overload out there.
Pocket Meditations:
These short videos are designed to provide mindfulness in everyday life situations. Creator Natalie Matias, whose mother was diagnosed with breast cancer when Natalie was only 11, has even made a video for those anxiety inducing visits to the hospital.
Headspace:
The Headspace app can help you create mindfulness in your everyday life. It offers a variety of meditation packs on topics like cancer, creativity, and sleep. Plus, it’s offering free meditations for COVID-19.
Wild Mind:
Wild Mind is a global community that wants to help you like mindfully, practice kindness, and learn self compassion. It’s filled with tons of free mediation videos and though pieces on how to bring mindfulness to your everyday life.
