Whatever the circumstance there are ways to make self-isolation easier.
You may have two toddlers under five in the suburbs. Or live with a lively teenager in a small inner-city apartment. Maybe you live alone, with your extended family in one home or in a share house full of students.
Tips for families with children
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For parents who need to work from home, take turns working and parenting.
- Set up video chat ‘play dates’ with school friends
- Don’t forget about your own needs. Keep up meditation, yoga and exercise.
- Take time to prepare meals together, get creative, let the children take control!
- Perfect time to Marie Kondo your child’s bedroom, together.
- Got a crafty skill like crochet or knitting – share the skill with your family.
- Make a short movie – stop motion using household items, a drama or comedy.
- Not creative? Colouring in is very calming, frame your favourite piece!
Self-improvement ideas
- Dig out the guitar and commit to learning some tunes.
- No instrument? Apps for instruments are fun with plenty of online options.
- Take a course or try first aid training or Pet First Aid online.
- Always thought you had a novel in you? A biography? Now’s the time to sit yourself down and get started.
- Napoleonic wars? Codes? Viticulture? Geography? Impressionism? 1980’s TV shows? Indulge your interest and study it like you’re going on a quiz show.
- Brain training apps – puzzles and lateral thinking. Crack cryptic crosswords.
- ABC iView
- ABC podcasts
- TED Talks: learn something new with over 3,300 videos
- Start an online bookclub with friends or neighbours.
- Visit a world-class museum or your local library online.
- Clothes need repairs? There’s a YouTube video for that.
Ideas for maintaining your wellbeing
- Make regular phone calls or video calls to people you know.
- Being in close confines can be stressful, watch out for signs of stress among family members.
- Work out a strategy to defuse any difficult situations or anger.
- Watch movies or footy games together, virtually.
- Get some sun every day – keep up the vitamin D.
- Stay in touch with work colleagues. If you can, working from home could help you stay busy and connected.
- Self-indulge and put on that hair mask you’ve had in the back of the drawer or give yourself a pedicure.
- Now’s the time to do those household projects you’ve been putting off.
Ideas for having fun
- Replace outdoor time, with kitchen dance parties or yoga in the sitting room.
- If you have access to a garden, go out and pull out the weeds, mow and rake the lawn, trim the hedges, transfer plants, get dirty.
- Start planning a holiday. Do your research and create your perfect itinerary, where would you stay? What would you see in a day? Where will you eat lunch?
- Challenge yourself in the kitchen - try a ingredient meal or bake a soufflé.
- Sort out all those old photos and videos.
Ways to help others
- Reach out to others you know who might also be self-isolating.
- Share on social the ways that help you stay connected, they can inspire others too.
- Post highlights of your day to help spread the positive word.
- Write a letter to someone. It’s amazing the effect it can have.
- Haven’t worn it for years? Try your hand at repurposing and up styling or package up items for donation to your local Red Cross shop
- Search online for items you can make and donate to others.
