The COVID-19 pandemic taken over the world, like a relative who just does not know when it’s time to leave. You tried EVERYTHING!!! Keeping the front door open, switched off the lights, you even had dinner by yourself and snuggled into bed only to realise at 3 AM, your relative is still on the couch waiting for you. That’s what the coronavirus feels like, its stocking you around at every corner. What do you do? Here are a few things to do to get your mind off your unwelcome guest. Please be sure that before you read this ahead, there has been no extensive research conducted. No scientist or religious leaders or scholars have gone over this survival kit.
Humor
You got to have a sense of humor. If not, you already not living and the coronavirus can’t do anything to you, that you have not already done to yourself. Humor will help you survive a long way. Time to catch up on stand up comedy, comedy sketches, movies, TV series, there is plenty out there that will make you laugh. We are in the long haul with this quarantine so ration your laughs over the day. Make sure you laugh at something funny at least 5 times a day.
Ever wondered about stand up comics, wish you could do the same. Well this is your chance, take a topic, write a joke every day and post it online (don’t forget to tag #brewingidea). You will probably make someone else laugh as well. Your 14 day challenge starts today…
Music
With streaming services like Amazon Music or Spotify, you are never too far from latest or the oldies. Music has always proved to be a motivator, it helps lift the mood. You don’t have to put much effort just go to any online portal and plug in your earphones or play on your speakers. You can have your own concert at home. On youtube you can find live concert videos, decorate your home, dress and attend an e-concert from the comfort of your home.
What else can you do with music? Make some, write a poem that can be made into a song, create your own lyrics to melodies out there, create a melody or play an instrument if you have. You can entertain your self or even your neighbours, of course from a safe distance. If you find your neighbour vigorously waving at you while playing music or an instrument be sure he is waving out of appreciation or just trying to get you to shut it. I would like to think he enjoys the music.
Games
Order those board games, this is the only time you can have your whole family to play with. It will fill up those awkward moments, even probably help delay a conversation you don’t want to have or give you the opportunity to finally sit down and have a chat. If you dont have board games, go online and you can find hundreds of board games in digital form. You can play with other quarantined friends across the globe. Personally, my favourite game is sequence at the moment. Have you played it ? Mention below what is your favourite game ?
Food
This goes without saying. However instead of watching those Thai street food, Korean street food, India spice mix and wondering how it must be, try it at home. Cook for yourself or your family. Try out new recipes that you would normally never cook or did not have the time too. If you do not know how to cook, learn now. Have a competition with your family members or flat mates with a scoring sheet based on each dish. You can score each other on taste, flavour, presentation, time and complexity. You may find the next Top Chef in your own home. If you create a new dish, share it with your friends, share it online.
Communicate
Not all of us are the best communicators. We all communicate differently, some can use their words others not so much. This is a good time to not just self improve, by coaching yourself. Use this time to communicate with your friends, family, acquaintances or even your foes. Reach out to people you have not spoken with for days, months or even years. Write a letter to your favourite school teacher. Message your dad or mom. Heck message your ex, if nothing it will remind you why you are not together in the first place – actually scrap that don’t message your ex but do the rest. I throw you a challenge again, everyday call one person who you have not spoken to in the last 3-6 months for the next 14 days.
Read
Take up a book and start to read. Fiction or a autobiography just start reading, if you do not have a book, order one right now and start reading. If you have kids, take a book and read to them. Ask them to read for you, you will be encouraging them into having screen downtime and maybe even learn a thing or two. There are a lot of self help books out there, a good time to work on yourself. If you find any particular book interesting then share the review online, you may encourage someone else to read. Support the local talent, there are a lot of good writers publishing articles and books who could use your encouragement through your patronage.
Art
Bring out the artist in you and pick up that paintbrush. We are all artist in our own right. Create something out of your imagination. Paint your living room like that video you always watch. Take a sketchbook and draw, its therapeutic. 14 days later you will have your personal gallery. the next time you are allowed to have guest, you have a conversation starter and your own home art gallery. Tape a banana to the wall, its art these days.. If you are ready then create your art and share with us with the hashtag #paintingpalette, the top posts will be shared on our page for all to admire your work
Soap
Well without this, you probably would not enjoy any of the above, so make sure you have soap at home and wash your hands as often as you can. Time to test if that soap really kills 99.9% of germs. So if you wash your hands twice in quick succession, what percentage of germs have you killed???
Hope this helps some of you who are struggling with isolation, anxiety of being home. Once you are done with your netflix and your eyes are about to bleed, try some of the above, it will help you sail through the days.
