The world has encountered some incredibly strange times in recent months, and even more so in recent weeks as the global Coronavirus pandemic sweeps the planet. Social distancing while foreign to most has quickly become the norm. This potentially means long periods of self-isolation at home as people are left the contemplate the fate of the world in a state of anxiety and concern.
Top 5 things to do while social distancing at home
On a positive note, perhaps this is also a once in a lifetime opportunity to get to things that you usually have no time for due to taking part in the busy rat race of society. Perhaps this is the golden opportunity to work on yourself and your future well-being, to get to the things you have been wanting to do all your life and have been putting off? It only takes small steps in the direction of your heart's desires to get the wheel in motion. These steps will likely change your life, or at the very least change the way you look at life forever.
Work on your self development while social distancing at home
Here is a list of 5 things you can do at home while taking your sabbatical from society as the world heals through social distancing and self-isolation:
1. WORK ON YOUR SELF DEVELOPMENT
Many people stuck at home will do their best to work, watch way too much media, or perhaps even blindly binge a whole lot of streaming services such as Netflix or Disney Plus. However, maybe it's a better idea to put this precious time to focusing on your self-development and creating a better you.
There are many online resources for self-development, spirituality, financial well-being and the like, not to mention a plethora of self-help books that you can find and order through various online book stores such as Amazon, Book Depository and Booktopia.
However, Hay House one of the leading publishers of content related to self-development, health, and spiritual well-being is now offering a bunch of free resources including e-books, podcasts, video and online courses during this time of self-isolation. You can access the generous amount of content from their website here. The resources available even include great content from Louise Hay and Wayne Dyer.
2. READ (OR EVEN LISTEN TO) THE BOOKS YOU HAVE ALWAYS WANTED TO READ
Most people have always wanted to read a particular book if not many books, but never seem to find the time to fit reading into their schedule as everyone is consumed by their busy lives. Well, there is no better time than now. Best of all, you might actually learn something and gain some wonderful insights that you wouldn't have got from anywhere else, as you sit in quiet repose.
Read or listen to the books you have always wanted to read
If reading is not quite your thing but you enjoy amazing stories and learning new things, then audiobooks will definitely be for you. Depending on their production value, some fiction audiobooks even have music and sound effects to accompany their story, making the experience all the more exciting.
Read or listen to the books you have always wanted to read
During this time of self-isolation and social distancing, the biggest audiobook website in the world Audible has compiled a list of audiobooks to consume on their service that are free to access. Best of all, many of the books are kid-friendly in light of many children having to stay home from school and the fast-approaching school holidays.
Read or listen to the books you have always wanted to read
The main focus of these audiobooks are stories, ranging from children's books, young adult fiction and literary classics. What better way to distract you from the media bombardment and the craziness of the world. Some of the free audiobooks include classics like Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book, Jules Verne's 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Arthur Conan Doyle's The Return of Sherlock Holmes, Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice and William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. There is also an extensive selection of children's books including the Timeless Tales of Beatrix Potter: Peter Rabbit and Friends and Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll.
Read or listen to the books you have always wanted to read
The list of free audiobooks can be found on the Audible website right here. Audible also offers one audiobook from their extensive library free of charge just for trialling their service for a month. Best of all, it is yours to keep forever.
Read or listen to the books you have always wanted to read
Learning a new skill such as another language is often something everyone would like to do, but perhaps think is too hard or something that they don't have time for. There is probably no better time to learn a new language than now, or perhaps become more proficient in another language other than English that you are familiar with due to your cultural background.
Learn another language while social distancing at home
If you also plan to travel to another country once the world reopens for business, how much more amazing would your trip be if you were up to speed with the native dialect. There are many online resources and apps for learning a new language including Babbel, Busuu and Memrise.
Learn another language while social distancing at home
But perhaps the best of them all and probably one of the most fun is Duolingo. The unique app makes the whole process of learning a new language entertaining. It actually feels like a game as you make your way past each level, which also has the added benefit of allowing you to compete with family and friends. You can sign up for the service via their website here. You are also able to download their app for iPhone here. Best of all, the service is free to access.
Learn another language at home while social distancing
4. INCREASE YOUR FITNESS AND STRENGTH BY WORKING OUT AT HOME
There is probably no better time than now for people to work on their fitness, strength, and well-being in these times of social distancing. Even though people have been banned from the gym, there are a plethora of online resources out there with fitness experts offering suggestions, advice and workouts. You can even find decent workouts, Pilates and yoga routines on YouTube and Instagram.
Increase strength and fitness by working out at home
However, possibly some of the best workout routines are now available online from some very unlikely sources. During his experience with yoga while under rehabilitation from a severe back and disc injury, ex-wrestler Diamond Dallas Page was able to develop a unique style of yoga that incorporated cardiovascular training and isometric strength training.
Increase strength and fitness by working out at home with DDP Yoga
The system was so successful for him that he was able to wrestle and perform again at the peak of his career. His program known as DDP Yoga has helped countless people through many types of injuries, including wrestlers no longer able to move due to their long traumatic careers, and veterans who were unable to walk unassisted. Some of these individuals are now actually DDP Yoga instructors themselves.
Increase strength and fitness by working out at home
The transformation stories are absolutely incredible to see and can be found on the DDP Yoga YouTube channel right here. The program can be accessed online by subscribing to the DDP Yoga app or DDP Yoga On Demand. The workouts are designed to offer low impact cardiovascular fitness, increased strength, and flexibility. Best of all, no matter what your level of fitness or how much pain you are experiencing there is a workout for everyone, including chair yoga routines and gentle yoga routines lying in bed. During this period of social distancing, DDP Yoga is offering 20% off their subscription. Both the app and on-demand options also offer a 7-day trial. You can access the DDP Yoga website here. DDP Yoga has also just launched kids yoga routines that are free to access right now during this time of home isolation. You are able to access these routines right here.
Increase strength and fitness by working out at home
If working out with the stars is more your thing, then you are in luck. Actor Chris Hemsworth has announced that his new fitness app Centr is now free to try for 6 weeks for a limited time. It's all to encourage people to maintain their fitness while self-isolating at home, in addition to helping people to obtain a level of calm and mindfulness. The comprehensive app includes a wide range of workouts, nutrition advice and guided meditations courtesy of the expert team that was able to help him to prepare for his various movie roles including Thor.
Increasing strength and fitness at home with Chris Hemsworth's Centre app
Not only does the app offer fitness routines, but it also has a strong focus on reducing stress, eating well and centring the body through meditation and visualisation. The app even includes a series of sleep visualisations to truly address every aspect of your health. It is the perfect mix of well-being guidance that is needed for the highly stressful times we are in right now. Best of all, you are able to choose whichever fitness modality that you prefer the most.
Increasing strength and fitness at home with Chris Hemsworth's Centr app
The app provides the opportunity to work with trainers that specialise in yoga, Pilates, High-intensity interval training (HIIT) and boxing, just to name a few. If you are keen to work out with Chris Hemsworth or Thor during this period of self-isolation, you can find the Centr app on iPhone here and more information on the Centr website here.
Increasing strength and fitness at home with Chris Hemsworth's Centre app
5. LEARN A NEW SKILL FROM AN EXPERT IN THEIR FIELD ONLINE
Social distancing at home has provided a unique opportunity for people to take some time to learn some new skills while on sabbatical from society. The skills may even lead people to embark on a quest to follow their dreams and pursue the career they always wanted. The online platform Masterclass provides a unique opportunity for subscribers to learn from people who are arguably the best in their field.
Learn a new skill from an expert in their field online
Some of the best actors, comedians, writers, filmmakers, photographers, chefs and athletes have lent their time to teach you what they know about their craft. You can learn cooking from Gordon Ramsay, acting with Helen Mirren, singing with Christina Aguilera, screenwriting with Aaron Sorkin, photography with Annie Leibovitz and novel writing with Margaret Atwood, just to name a few.
Learn a new skill from an expert in their field online
In the past, you had to pay for each individual course, but now with their monthly subscription, you have unlimited access to each course as these celebrities impart their wisdom directly to you from the comfort of your own home. All the various celebrity courses with masterclass can be accessed on their website here.
In short, this extended period of social distancing and self isolation could be the most pivotal opportunity for personal growth in your life. Time is perhaps our most precious asset. Use it wisely to create the most amazing version of you. Who knows, this timeout from society may change your life and destiny forever, as long as you make the most of it.