100+ Things You Can Do During Social Distancing

The situation & recommendations regarding COVID-19 are rapidly evolving, including recent widespread closures of schools, workplaces, and large gatherings. We are all navigating a healthy response that avoids unnecessary panic & us vs them thinking while taking socially responsible steps to take this pandemic seriously. This means we may all be spending a lot of time at home, and perhaps feeling a bit sir crazy. Wondering what in the world to do while home while honoring social distancing?

Mental Wellness

• Set a daily limit for googling updates about the pandemic

• Feel your feelings (Remember, the great news the best thing about feelings is that they are temporary!)

• Practice positive affirmations

• Practice mindfulness

• Write 5 things you are grateful for today

• Journal

• Challenge unhelpful thinking

• Accept what’s out of your control, take responsibility for what you can control

• Breathing exercises

• Download an app with free daily guided meditations

• Practice being being fully present

• Read a self-development book

• Embrace a we/us/together mindset

• Enjoy a cup of tea

• Take a break from your phone

• Practice a peaceful mantra

• Mindfully tolerate difficult emotions until they pass

• Schedule a video therapy session

Physical Wellness

• Go for a hike (with safe distance from others)

• Walk your dog

• Online yoga class

• Try a new online workout video

• Stretch

• Take a nap

• Take a bath

• Go to bed early

• Have a dance party

• Wash your hands 

• Do a workout challenge

• Appreciate your body for all the amazing things it helps you do each day

• Give/receive a massage

Social connection

• Play board games

• Play card games

• Play scrabble online

• Play Would You Rather with family/friends/roommates

• Have intentional conversations

• Check in to see how others are feeling

• Call & catch up with friends

• Plan a GoogleHangout with friends (especially friends who may live alone)

• Cuddle

• Deliver groceries for someone in need

• Virtual worship services

• Write letters

• Dress up & plan an in-home date night

• Practice Gottman’s 6 second kiss

• Help or donate to others in need

• Virtual book club

• Practice empathetic listening

• Chat & sing with your neighbors through open windows

• Write encouragements to healthcare workers

Recharge/Self-Care

• Read

• Watch TV/movies

• Pray

• Slow down

• Enjoy silence

• Watch the sunset

• Listen to music

• Do a puzzle

• Watch a comedian

• Listen to podcasts

• Listen to an audiobook

• Ask for quiet/solitude time

• Take a break

• Welcome boredom

Tackle Your To-Do List

• Home repairs

• File taxes

• Deep clean

• Wipe down walls

• Clean baseboards

• Purge items to donate later

• Reorganize closets & cabinets

• Do the thing you’ve been procrastinating (& reward yourself after)

• Copy online recipes into a recipe book

• Learn a new language

• Make a plan for things you want to accomplish

• Take a class or complete a workshop online

Create

• Sew

• Knit

• Color

• Teach your pet a new trick

• Make a new recipe

• Create a recipe with only ingredients in your house

• Make a craft

• Paint

• Practice photography

• Make a photobook

• Learn calligraphy

• Make greeting cards

• Bake

• Garden

• Make something homemade

• Write a story

• Make up a new card game

• Reorganize your furniture/decor

• Write a poem

Play

• Play with your child(ren)

• Play games from childhood (I-Spy, Hide & Seek, staring contest, etc.)

• Pinterest new activities 

• Make a blanket fort

• Read children’s books

• Try an in-home science experiment

• Unplug from technology

• Sing

• Practice an instrument

• Explore new music/artists

• Write jokes

• Laugh

• Take a virtual museum tour

• Memorize something

• Find shapes in clouds as they pass

Stay tuned for more mental health tips about navigating this pandemic. Stay well, everyone!

**Please always follow the most up to date recommendations of the CDC, WHO, & your local public health agencies.