I along with everyone else who is living in these ‘quarantimes’ am trying to find ways to adjust to this new way of life, not feel so isolated, and stay sane! If you find yourself binge-watching Netflix or endlessly scrolling through news updates, I recommend taking a break and trying out some of these activities. Here are my top 5 activities to do during these times:
5. Attend a Virtual Concert!
There are so many ways that musicians and artists are showing up for us right now. Check out this link NPR keeps up to date with live concerts you can stream any time of day or day of the week! I also listen to a phenomenal radio station throughout the day known as The Current. You can listen from anywhere, anytime of day here. I have personally been enjoying their “March Music Madness” week-long hourly match up between the best soundtracks of all time – best of all they have a “march madness -like” bracket, just in case you missed this for the NCAA season.
4. Let Me Tell You a Story…
If you are a parent looking to reclaim some peace of mind for 8-10 minutes, check out this fantastic youtube channel called Storyline Online where different people who are famous read children’s books aloud. Also, if you are an adult who just loves listening to an interesting story take a look at The Moth Radio Hour for hours of free stories that will both make you laugh and cry! I also highly recommend checking out some podcasts (also free and entertaining). My favorites currently are “Conan Needs A Friend” and “Totes Recall”. As you might have guessed Conan O’Brien hosts “Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend” and is absolutely hilarious in this. The premise of the podcast is that he does not have any friends, so he invites other celebrities on to help him gain a few more friends – much hilarity and thought-provoking convos ensue in this refreshing format. “Totes Recall” is a podcast based out of the Twin Cities with a ragtag bunch of improv actors and comedians who re-watch movies from their childhood, sharing before watching it what they recall from their childhood about it, and then hilariously revisit their pre-movie thoughts afterwards. I like listening to this one as I’m doing random chores around the house – both cathartic and entertaining.
3. Spend a Night (or afternoon) at the Museum
With all the articles going around, chances are by now you’ve seen that you can tour some of the world’s most renown museums for free! I went through a whole list of virtual tours using this article I came across. After spending some time on a lot of sites, I came up with my top 3 : The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, The National Women’s History Museum, and NASA’s Langley Research Center. The Smithsonian is just plan fun to explore as it is a virtual 360 tour, allowing you to spend as much time as you’d like in each exhibit. I actually got stuck in the gift shop (literally, I could not find my way out of it for awhile!). The National Women’s History Museum is also among my top picks; the breadth of topics about women making history in the U.S. is impressive. I highly recommend checking out the WASPS (Women Airforce Service Pilots) in WWII exhibit and “The Women of NASA”, both of which I found myself intrigued with having not known much about the important role women played. COVID-19 has sadly overshadowed (understatement here!) the fact that it is still Women’s History month, so take a minute to check this one out. Lastly, the NASA tour is just plain fun! You can tour the different buildings on their facilities and if you download the Space Center Houston app you can explore the Moon through augmented reality – I totally geeked out about this one!
2. Talk with your favorite human (or animal!)
It is amazing how much a call from a friend or loved one can mean the world of difference during these times! I encourage everyone to find someone they can call on, or that they can call to check-in on. Knowing we are not alone in this right now is so important. Also, if you are missing the presence of a furry friend, check out this live stream of cats ready to be adopted at The Cafe Meow in Minneapolis. They play classical jazz in the background which turns out is great music to do work to as well!
- Find some solace in Mother Nature
Depending on where you are living and how accessible parks and nature centers are to you with restrictions on travel, it can be tricky to get quality time out in nature. But, if you are feeling well and are able to, I recommend finding some time each day to step outside and breathe in some fresh air. For me, taking walks daily has been both meditative and therapeutic – it keeps my thoughts from racing quite so much and grounds me. If you are not able to get outside right now, these videos of nature are wonderful.
Before I close this post, I would like to share a poem by Mary Oliver. I find both nature and poetry to be calming, powerful forces in my life. Maybe, you find the same! This poem is called “I Go Down To The Shore”.
“I Go Down To The Shore” by Mary Oliver
I go down to the shore in the morning
and depending on the hour the waves
are rolling in or moving out,
and I say, oh, I am miserable,
what shall –
what should I do? And the sea says
in its lovely voice:
Excuse me, I have work to do.
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Be well, friends!
Seeds of Hope 