If you are practicing social distancing, living in quarantine, or under a stay-at-home order, you might be surprised at how quickly boredom strikes. Even those of us who are introverts are used to a certain amount of daily interaction with other humans that trying to slow the spread of COVID-19 has curtailed. Here are some of our ideas on how to keep your brain healthy and engaged, not just during Coronavirus, but at any time you are stuck at home.
Learn Something
The online learning community has never been as vibrant as it is right now. Have you ever wanted to learn something? Whether you have a desire to tackle a foreign language, learn about math or science, or immerse yourself in the humanities, there are courses available to help you. Kahn Academy has a very well-deserved reputation as a great educational resource for school-age children, but their lessons are equally suitable for anyone who wants to enhance their education. Feel like you already understand the basics? Harvard University has some amazing free online offerings. Want to learn from a widely-recognized expert? The fee-based service Master Class offers a huge variety of classes taught by experts you will recognize in everything from Martin Scorsese teaching filmmaking to Steve Martin teaching comedy.
Teach Something
You probably have a skill that you could share with others and in this world of online connectivity, you do not have to be a technical wizard to figure out how to share it. Whether you teach your grandkids how to bake your signature cookie in a personalized video chat or film the basics of knitting and share it on YouTube, there are many things you can do to help share what you know with others.
Play Something
In our society, we tend to undervalue the importance of play. However, games and puzzles are one way that we help keep our brains active and healthy. They are also a wonderful way to interact with others. There are countless apps that let you play games with others online. You can choose to play with strangers or invite groups of your friends and loved ones. Board games, card games, and puzzles are also great ways to pass the time if you are isolated with family or friends.
Get Help If You Need It
None of us have ever had to prepare for this level of community-wide isolation in the past. It can lead to real feelings of depression and anxiety. Fortunately, you can now find high-quality therapy online. There are a variety of services that offer licensed and trained counseling services via a combination of phone, video chat, and online platforms. People say good things about Talkspace, Betterhelp, MDLive, Amwell, and Doctor on Demand. If you are already being treated by a therapist, but can no longer see them in person, check with their office to see if they are offering any type of phone or online service.
