It’s cold and dark, life feels like Groundhog Day, you’ve completed Netflix and Disney+, you never want to do another Zoom quiz in your life and you’ve exhausted your daily walking quota. We feel ya!!
It’s so important to stay connected and look after your mental health during this wild time, with a bit of creativity you can still find some wonderful ways to make it through Lockdown 3.0. We’ve put together a list of 21 activities to get you started.
1. Morning Routine
Create a morning routine that really sets you up for the day. During a winter lockdown it’s so tempting to lie in bed after your alarm, stay in your PJs all day and only emerge from your bedroom for snacks BUT creating and sticking to a morning routine is incredibly important for your mental wellbeing. Its takes 21 days to create a habit. Start simple – like a glass of water before you reach for the caffeine.
2. Write a Song
Some studies have shown that song writing is very beneficial to your physical and emotional health – benefits can include improved mood, less stress/symptoms of anxiety, lower blood pressure, improved short term memory and even improved lung function. It’s also a fun creative project to keep your mind occupied and hold off the boredom. Check out this free online song writing course
3. Host a dinner party with your household bubble
During the pandemic I am sure we have all been guilty of eating our dinner in front of a screen (be it a phone, laptop or TV!) and not savouring our food or enjoying the company of our bubble. Hosting a dinner party is a fun way of getting creative in the kitchen and properly socialising with your housemates. Make sure you all lock away your laptops and any study related books, plan some games, create a playlist and build a menu. You could even make it a Come Dine with Me style competition or a potlock supper where everyone brings a different dish.
4. Karaoke night
Missing karaoke night with your friends? You can still do it from home. Apps like AirConsole let you turn your smartphone into a mic, and sing your favourite hits with your pals and practice some new tunes.
5. Beach Clean/Litter Pick
We are blessed with so many beautiful beaches and parks in Swansea, but unfortunately not everyone respects them. Go out for a 20 minute walk and take a black bag and some gloves with you, pick up all the litter you come across. If litter is something that really bothers you – download the Planet Patrol app (free on iOS & Android) where you can record the litter by type, brand, location, etc. this helps to build evidence against corporations and government to hold them accountable.
6. Repair your clothes
Do you have a pile of socks at the back of your drawer with holes in or maybe a couple of shirts with buttons missing? You can revive tired clothing with simple repairs. The environment will thank you for keeping them out of landfill and you’ll save money on not needing to replace them! Check out tutorials here and here.
7. Couch to 5K
Is Running one of you New Year’s Resolutions but not sure where to begin? Couch to 5K takes you from absolute beginner to running 5K in 9 weeks.
8. Airbnb experience
Airbnb have put together an amazing programme of remote experiences to keep us entertained while we are unable to travel. From dance classes to calligraphy, there’s something for everyone. Classes are hosted via Zoom and prices start from £4.
9. Feeling competitive?
Boost your general knowledge so you’re ready for when Pub Quizzes start back up with Sporcle.
10. Lockdown Diary
Struggling to distinguish between the never-ending Groundhog day that is lockdown 3.0? Start a lockdown diary, this could be writing just 2-3 sentences to sum up the day or it could be in the form of a photo a day.
11. First Aid
It’s always good to be prepared for an emergency – you can learn basic First Aid online for free here.
12. TED Talks
Got a subject you’re passionate about and love discussing? Get your bubble together and deliver your very own TED Talk.
13. Wellbeing Challenge
Keeping active makes a huge difference to how you feel both mentally and physically. Why not try a daily wellbeing challenge to help you sleep better and lift your mood. From Yoga, to Core work or even Meditation, there are plenty of activities to choose from. When exercising always remember to drink plenty of water, don’t push yourself too hard and warm up thoroughly before you get started.
14. Kitchen Disco
If structured workouts aren’t your thing why not put on your favourite playlist and treat yourself to a dance break in the kitchen. An excellent way to boost your mood, ease anxiety and if you get your bubble involved you will build social bonds too!
15. Paint with Bob Ross
403 episodes of the Joy of Painting have been added to YouTube, grab some paint and brushes and get your creativity on.
16. Online Museums and galleries
A huge number of art galleries and museums all over the world are offering free virtual tours. Visit New Yorks MoMA, perhaps you’d prefer to pop to Florence and see the Uffizi, or you can always stay in the UK and check out the Tate. If this isn’t enough to satisfy your thirst for art and culture, Google’s arts and culture collection is home to virtual tours of 500 top attractions around the world.
17. Reading
If you made any bookish new year’s resolutions then now is definitely the time to crack on with those! TBR pile getting out of hand? Put yourself on a book buying ban til you’ve cleared it! Struggling to concentrate and fancy an audiobook instead? Try out Audible for free. Read a book that you absolutely loved and can’t stop talking about? Start a virtual book club
18. Learn a Language
Got big travel plans for when this is all over? Why not try to learn a few phrases in the language of the country you’d like to visit – this Italian for beginners course teaches you how to meet great and order food, or maybe you think Mandarin would look great on your CV? Perhaps you’d like to brush up on your Welsh, Say Something in Welsh is a free app available on iOS & Android which teaches natural spoken Welsh quickly and easily.
19. Join a Society
Swansea University boasts over 150 societies, joining a club or society is a great way to meet like-minded people and make new friends.
20. Isolation tips
Scott Kelly is a retired NASA astronaut who spent nearly a year on the International Space Station, he’s got plenty of tips on how to handle isolation
21. Join Campus Life for an online event
We have various online events scheduled throughout January and February, from Zumba to speed mate-ing and bingo. Check out Fatsoma for more details.
Whether you want to try a new hobby, learn a new skill or even enhance your employability, we hope there is something on this list that helps to brighten your day. Don’t forget to let us know via our social channels if you try out any of the activities!
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