Creative Ways to Keep Busy at Home This Long Weekend

If you’ve already rewatched all your favourite movies and rearranged the pantry, then it might be time to look for some more creative ways to keep busy at home.

With all of Australia now on varying stages of lockdown, many of us are now spending an inordinate amount of time at home. And while we know that this physical isolation is essential to stem the spread of Covid-19, it’s also meant many of our long weekend plans have been scuttered.

Where the Easter long weekend used to mean getting together with family and friends, it now means more days spent inside.

If you’ve already rewatched all your favourite movies and rearranged the pantry, then it might be time to look for some more creative ways to keep busy at home. Below are a few ideas of things to keep your body and mind active this long weekend, and beyond.

 

Plan an online get together with friends and family

 

While meeting up with our loved ones in-person isn’t possible right now, there are so many ways to catch up thanks to the internet. Whether it’s a chat with your best friend or a whole party online, being physically distant is no barrier to social interaction.

Most modern smartphones, tablets and computers will have a camera installed so you can video chat. Simply use a program like Zoom or FaceTime to catch up in real-time.

While you can definitely just call up for a chat, it’s more fun to plan something fun to do during your catch up. You could have everyone dress up in their best party outfit to make it feel a bit special. Or go all out in a crazy outfit and have a laugh.

Keep connected with the kids in your life by reading them a story or colouring in together.

You can also move many of your regular catch-ups online. Everything from book club discussions to card games and birthday celebrations can be done online, helping everyone to feel a bit closer when we’re apart.

 

Learn something new

 

There’s never been a better time to take up a new area of interest. So many educators are moving their classes online and you can learn about almost any topic you want for free or a small cost.

If you have a smartphone you can learn a new language in as little as ten minutes a day with an app like Duolingo. Select from over 35 languages including popular ones like Spanish and French, as well Korean, Welsh and even Swahili.

If you’ve been wanting to dive deep into an area of study, many universities and colleges offer classes online through the Open University. Study arts, humanities, languages or more from universities around the world and expand your knowledge.

 

Try your hand at a new craft

 

If you’d prefer to learn a new skill, the long weekend is a great time to start. As well as being a fun activity, research has shown creative activities can help reduce stress and anxiety and increase happiness.

Drawing, painting, colouring and photography are all great ways to be creative and don’t take many special tools to get started. And if you do need a few supplies, you may find your local art store will deliver directly to your door.

 

Go on a virtual holiday

 

Travel might be off the cards for now, but that doesn’t mean you can’t experience the wonders of far off places from your living room.

You can take a virtual tour of some of the most famous museums and landmarks in the world. Walkthrough the Musée d’Orsay without the crowds. Hike up to Macchu Picchu from the comfort of yourcomfort your armchair. All you need is your computer, smartphone or tablet.

 

Head to the theatre

 

Fancy taking in a West End musical or watching Shakespeare in the Globe? With theatres closed across the world, many are moving online to stream the most popular plays, musicals and operas.

Catch a production of Romeo and Juliet on the Globe Player service, enjoy an opera performance from the Metropolitan Opera, or take in the West End’s production of The Wind in the Willows.

 

Move your body

 

While the gyms and pools are closed for the time being, you can find plenty of ways to get your daily movement in at home. Platforms like YouTube offer all sorts of fitness videos, from yoga and stretching to dance and pump. If you’re used to going to your local gym, see if their regular classes have been moved online or if your PT can help you adapt your workout for home...

This might not be the time to try an advanced step class for the first time as you won’t get valuable feedback from an instructor. But it’s an ideal way to keep moving and maybe try something new from the comfort of home.

 

Embrace the slowness

 

Sure it’s wonderful that we can remain so connected through online tools and communities. But you could also use this time to slow down and embrace having time to yourself to do the things you’ve always wanted to.

Luxuriate in the ability to spend all afternoon with your favourite book and a pot of tea. Enjoy a slow amble around the block without the need to be anywhere. Pull out your old albums and play your favourite songs on repeat.

Whatever you get up to over the long weekend, remember that every effort to stay home helps reduce the impact of Covid-19.

 

Explore the full range of therapy and exercise equipment at MobilityHQ.