During this uncertain time, many people are finding it difficult to keep busy,  If you’re anything like me, maybe your default activity to keep you busy has been using your phone to browse social media or binge-watching your favourite show on Netflix. Regardless, I’ve noticed these activities haven’t been very meaningful, so I thought I’d share some ideas of some things that I have done and you can do to avoid excessive use of screen time.

COLOURING

You can find some adult colouring books at Dollarama on your next essential trip out of the house. If you’d prefer to not go in-store, you can always find and order a colouring book and materials online! Amazon has lots of great options. Colouring can be very therapeutic and it can also aid in building your patience.

EXCERCISE

This may not be for everyone, but if you decide to give it a try it can be a huge stress reliever too. On those days when you’re especially feeling down: go for a walk, complete an at-home workout or even set small goals for yourself (i.e. 20 sit-ups each day). Sometimes setting a certain time each day to accomplish your goal can help motivate you as well. If you want to start small or go a different route, think about dedicating 30 minutes each day to do some stretching or yoga. This will help you take control of something great in your life.

If you’re unsure where to start, Goodlife Fitness is offering workout classes online through their website and Planet Fitness is offering free daily workouts on their Facebook page. You can also Google “at home workouts” or “at home yoga programs” to find more options that may be more your pace or style!

GARDENING

Spring has officially sprung, and the weather is finally improving. Why not set your yard up a little early this year? It could be just the escape you never realized you needed.

LEARN SOMETHING NEW

This could be the perfect moment you’ve been waiting for, that extra bit of time that you’ve never been able to find. Now is the time to learn that new instrument, build your cooking/baking skills, or maybe you’ve said to yourself “I wish I could speak another language”. Do it! Try dedicating an hour each day to learning your new craft.

Have a keyboard or piano at home but never learned to play? Try the Simply Piano App.

If you’re looking to learn a new language, you can download the app Duolingo to your device and follow the instructions, it’s extremely easy to follow and really interactive! It also offers a variety of different languages to choose from! If you’d like another approach, you can also look into using Rosetta Stone to conquer your new language.

Since Covid-19 took away our options to go to restaurants and eat, why not try out some new recipes at home? Find that old cookbook that you haven’t used in years or you can explore purchasing a cookbook at your local WalMart, Shopper’s Drug Mart on your next essential outing or any online bookstore! If you’d like a little more modern approach, there are plenty of apps that will assist you. One app I’d recommend is FitMenCook. This app explores the healthier side of many different recipes including things like Seafood, Low Carb recipes, Vegan, Vegetarian, Snacks & Sweets and more!

READING

A classic stress reliever! Not only will reading stimulate your mind, it will help get your imagination working. You can create your own picture - who needs a screen! Find or create a “quiet space” for yourself, grab a book and dive in!

It’s difficult to get into that “zone” sometimes with a book you’ve already read. If you’ve run out of options at home or you’d like some new options, consider looking into e-Reading through https://manybooks.net/. This website is free and allows you to choose from over 50,000 different books! Alternatively, you can download the app OverDrive onto your device. This app allows you to check out up to 12 different titles at one time and offers eBooks or Audiobooks if that suits your needs more! You can also check out the website of your local library to see if they have any refreshing options for you.

There are many ways to keep yourself busy, these are just a few to get you started. Try them out, see what works for you and stay safe!