10 Activities to consider this Winter as our home-bound lives continue
It’s an unusual circumstance that has brought us all to this place – it’s not often that we spend day in and day out at home with our most inner circle. It’s possible that prior to the pandemic, we even wished for this extended time at home with our immediate family. At times, it may seem like you are merely existing or co-existing, without ever giving much thought about how you can spend quality time with yourself and your inner circle.
These many months have surely been an adjustment for all of us. Below you will find a list of activities, strategies and ideas that I hope you find helpful.
Games & Puzzles: If you’re finding that you and your partner/housemates are often sitting side-by-side on the couch together with your phones in hand—games and puzzles can be a great way to reconnect. Even if we are doing a puzzle in our lonesome, it can be quite relaxing. In many ways, something as simple as completing a puzzle can create mindful moments…as we focus our attention on the task at hand and the overall image we are attempting to create. Did I mention that engaging in a puzzle can also increase your brains production of dopamine, the neurotransmitter responsible for regulating mood? That’s right, dopamine may very well be released every time we do a puzzle—and every time we put a piece in the right place!
Try new outdoor activities & winter sports: For my East Coasters, have you considered snow tubing or snow shoeing this winter? A great way to escape the confines of your own home and get some fresh air!
Virtual Games: One of the unexpected silver linings of having more time is that we may find ourselves picking up the phone to stay in touch with our loved ones. I know that many of us have opted for frequent Zoom calls and FaceTime chats. But since most days are spent within the confines of our homes, there may not always be something new to discuss. With that being said, virtual games are a great option. Check out this list of virtual games that can be easily played on Zoom from the Washington Post for some ideas!
Goal Setting: I’m sure this has crossed many minds with the recent beginning of a New Year. However, planning effective goals (and having a shot at achieving them) for you and/or family, often requires more than a mention of a new years resolution or dropping a quick line on the notes section of your Smartphone. Goal Setting is a great strategy to focus on during a time where it seems we can’t accomplish much. Let’s focus our attention to what we can accomplish and let go of the focus of the limitations the pandemic has brought upon us. Goals should be specific, timely, and process oriented. I suggest exploring use of the SMART goal method, click here for a great worksheet to guide you from Chicago State University.
Practice mindfulness: Practicing mindfulness daily has been shown to reduce stress, improve concentration and has even been shown to have many health benefits. You may no longer be commuting to and from work at this time and I encourage you to consider using this new found time to your benefit! See my post titled, “3 Apps to Help You Relax Your Mind & Body” to help you get started.
Cooking: Make a list of recipes to experiment with or perhaps learn how to recreate a dish from one of your favorite restaurants.
Plan your post-pandemic escape: We are all hoping for a “more normal” summer with the roll-out of the COVID-19 vaccine. With that in mind, you can start to plan now for future outings. We may not be planning out-of-country rendezvous— but we can certainly plan for local and semi-local escapes in a safe way. Perhaps you begin looking into hiking trails, campgrounds, beaches and lakes, museums, or any destination that will inspire you to venture out when it is safe and the weather warms up. One of my favorite things to do as an act of self-care is to plan things that I can look forward to and be excited about!
Start a new hobby: Think of something you have always wanted to learn. This is a great time to spend some time to learn it! Photography, yoga, calligraphy, baking, woodworking…Click here to find an extensive list of hobby insp from The North West Star.
Exercise: One of the biggest barriers I often hear from clients is “not having the time” to exercise. Look— I totally get it. Exercise isn’t always the priority when we’re working full-time, raising children and desperately seeking some down time. Welp, you’re in luck, as time no longer seems to be of the essence. I find the emotional and physical benefits of exercise, though, to be limitless. Exercising regularly can reduce anxiety and depression, improve self-esteem and even our sleep! Start with a realistic goal and plan to increase the probability of following through. There are countless free at-home workout programs you can find online. As always, consult with your medical professional before beginning a workout program.
Relax: When you’re home for the majority of your day, there is always something that can be done. Give yourself permission to relax at home.