WISE Tips on keeping busy during COVID-19.
COVID-19 has changed a lot about our daily lives, how we interact and how we fill time. To help, we have compiled some WISE Tips of free resources and activities which could be helpful with keeping busy while practicing social distancing. We emphasis it’s okay to do as little or as much as you can to keep a sense of normality during these times.
There’s lots of great advice out there on making the most of COVID-19 confinement. Many people are taking on COVID-19 challenges like learning a new language or a musical instrument. However, for many people life in confinement is busy, challenging and has people feeling time poor and that’s OK. There is no law that says we must come out of COVID-19 confinement with a Masters in Tai Chi.
For others, if you have the time and drive for something new here is a sample of some of our best finds.
Learn something new.
Many people will may have slightly more time during the COVID-19 social distancing period which could be a great time to learn something new, here are a couple of options with many more available.
- From programming to Tai Chi, Harvard University are offering a selection of their courses for free.
- Whether you are a beginner or an expert, you can try a new language for free.
- Although libraries are currently closed, many have a large selection of books and movies online. Explore the catalogue of your local library by going to their website and finding what they have to offer.
Get creative.
Sometimes finding inspiration for creative projects can be challenging. Here are a couple of courses to start the creative flow.
- The National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) are hosting free drop-by drawing classes online which include advice on how to improve your sketching.
- To build on this, Tasmania’s famous MoMa are also supplying free courses on drawing, photography, fashion, painting and more via their website.
- Find the perfect lighting with photography classes provided for free until May.
- Creativity can also branch out into the kitchen too, with several online cooking classes and recipes available to try on a budget including from Jack Monroe, Tasty, Taste and many more.
Go exploring… at home.
Staying home is essential for saving lives, however, you can still explore museums, art galleries, zoo’s and flower exhibitions from around the world from the comfort of your screen.
- Along with drawing classes, the NGV are offering free virtual tours of their exhibitions.
- In fact, several museums are streaming their exhibitions live, including Melbourne Museum and The Australian Museum, plus overseas exhibitions at British Museum, Amsterdam’s Rijks Museum and many more.
- Although it’s getting colder in Australia, the northern hemisphere is going into spring meaning the flowers are blooming. The Netherlands biggest flower exhibition, Keukenhof, is available for online tours via their YouTube channel.
- Finally, you can hang out with the animals at Melbourne Zoo via their live stream.
Keep active (if you can).
Exercise is still considered an essential activity and there are plenty of ways to stay active indoors and you can still exercise outdoors with others who live in your household or one other. If you’re going outside, ensure you stay 1.5 metres away from those around you and follow government guidelines around social distancing.
- Walking is still the cheapest and one of the most beneficial activities for us. It’s great to walk or do similar movements if you find yourself stuck on a chair for hours on end. If you have a walking path or a park accessible to you, exercising outside is allowed when following the Australian guidelines on exercise. Furthermore many communities are taking part in creating teddy bears and rainbow trails, so exploring for these on your walk could be another option.
- If you’re looking to try something new indoors, The Australian Ballet have classes for beginners, intermediate and advanced dancers through their website.
- Yoga can be used as a great mindfulness exercise along with a way to stay fit. There are plenty of free online yoga classes through YouTube no matter your skill level.
- Finally, for exercise a little more challenging, there are plenty of free boot-camp-style workouts on YouTube. In addition, many gyms are allowing free trials of their online courses including Australian brand F45, plus there are several free apps to help keep you moving such as the Nike Training App.
Stay connected.
During this time, it is essential to stay connected with loved ones. Continue to communicate with friends and family via technology such as text, messages, phone calls and video calls. There are also many free activities you can do together, while apart.
- There are several boardgames you can play online with friends, including drawing and card games.
- If you and your loved ones already have Netflix, they’ve added a feature called Netflix Party which allows you to watch movies and chat together.
- Finally, you can create challenges with loved ones over video chat.
COVID-19 related sources.
There are plenty of sources designed to help you cope with the uncertain times COVID-19 have caused.
Headspace have a dedicated space and support platform to provide help and advice around COVID-19 along with all the additional companies provided below.
Reachout have provided a list of 10 ways to care for your mental health during Corona virus.
ABC News has written guides on applying for Jobseeker and JobKeeper Payments.
Need additional support? The following places are ready and willing to listen.
- Lifeline – 13 11 14
- Suicide Call Back Service – 1300 659 467
- Beyond Blue – 1300 22 46 36
- SANE Australia – 1800 18 7263
- Headspace – 1800 650 890 or QLife in Queensland – 1800 184 527
