A Dozen Things to Do When You’re ‘Sheltered in Place’
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Let your imagination go to work… there’s plenty to do when you’re ‘sheltered in place’
The state of Nevada is in a ‘lockdown’ mode. Like many areas of the USA, most every business is shut down except grocery stores, pharmacies and gas stations. The Las Vegas Strip is totally shut down. The airport, usually teeming with tourists, is eerily quiet. Though we’re not quarantined, we have been ‘requested’ to stay in our homes and limit travel and exposure to other folks. All of these are reasonable precautions to limit the spread of Covid-19 and we’re complying.
This situation is somewhat akin to preparing for and experiencing a trans-oceanic passage though, in reality, it’s actually a bit easier on land. At least here, we can pop out to the grocery store if we need to and we have internet. We’re probably luckier than most as we’ve had long passages (42 days was the longest non-stop) where we were just the two of us in a small sailboat surrounded by a vast ocean and ‘couldn’t leave the house’. We’re used to occupying and entertaining ourselves for long periods of time. Looking at it from that perspective, I thought I’d come up with a dozen activities/ideas that might keep you occupied when you’re ‘sheltered in place’.
1. Read
What a wonderful opportunity to relax and just read for pleasure for a change. Though the libraries are closed, most have online borrowing of books and magazines. There’s the local newspaper to browse. And there’s Amazon, of course, to buy books or you can join Kindle Unlimited and/or Audible on a trial basis to check it out. Additionally, there’s a plethora of free on-line ebook downloads available.
2. Exercise / Walk
We still walk the perimeter of the golf course every morning. It’s important to get some fresh air when you can, soak up a little (but not too much) Vitamin D, exercise those muscles and bones and just boost your spirit. You may not be able to travel far, but you can still get out and walk a bit… even if it’s back and forth to your mailbox. We usually work out at our local health club 3x/week, but all of the gyms are now closed. Instead, we’ve worked out some floor exercises that we can do that will at least keep us somewhat in shape… sit-ups, push-ups, stretching, maybe a few jumping jacks in the backyard. Several health clubs as well as organizations like Silver Sneakers now offer on-line exercise classes for free. Check out the YMCA’s new exercise classes on line.
3. Eat out or take an exotic trip - virtually
When we were sailing, we had radio communications, but no internet. It didn’t stop us from using our imaginations though. We conjured up ‘virtual meals’… mouth-watering, high caloric, epicurean delights. We described each sumptuous delicacy as it was brought to our table. We savored the smell, the taste, the texture as it hit our tongues. It was glorious and didn’t cost a cent nor add an inch to our waistlines.
Having the advantage of internet, you can do the same exercise with eating out at your favorite pub or that 5-star restaurant you could never afford. Or perhaps you’d prefer some worldwide travel. Is there there a place you’ve always wanted to visit, but never did? Do some in-depth research on the place, get photos, listen to music, learn about customs and special holidays, determine what particular sights and landmarks you want to see. The internet affords us the opportunity to visit extensively from home. Take advantage of it. Want a head start? Try our Travelogue page to see all the places we’ve visited in years past.
4. Watch movies / TV
Television was never an option on the boat and we only watched movies when we were at anchor or in port. Watching movies while ‘on watch’ while at sea was a no-no for us, so on passages, movies weren’t an option. Though many might already spend too much time in front of the TV, this is a perfect opportunity to do it without feeling any guilt (as if!). We’re not big TV watchers (other than the news and Jeopardy, of course), but lately our ‘date nights’ involve watching a movie. We do not have cable, but we do have Prime Video and Netflix. Additionally, if you can tolerate the commercials, there are several other free movie channels out there. Roku, Crackle, Pluto and Tubi come to mind.
5. Play games/play cards
Sure you can play on-line, but you probably do that all the time. How about playing with your significant other or family members? Nothing like a rousing game of Monopoly to while away the hours or Scrabble or chess or a game of Pitch or Rummy. Forgot the rules or want to try a new game? There’s always Hoyles Rules of Games.
6. Learn a language or take an on-line educational course
Now this one is right up my alley. Though we’re not going to Portugal in April as planned, I’m still taking Portuguese lessons on line. It’s free on Duolingo and there’s a multitude of languages to choose from. There are also free on-line courses on subjects ranging from art to photography to computer science. Heck, you can take free on-line courses from Harvard. What are you waiting for?
7. Start a project
Go through old photos (hard copy or digital) and catalog them
Review your will and/or other legal paperwork (it’s just time to review, not that I intend to die soon)
Paint a room you’ve been thinking of painting (most hardware stores are still open at least in our area). We’ve been threatening to repaint our kitchen for the past year, we even have the paint. The deck also needs repainting.
Write that book you’ve been putting off. I’ve been planning to write about our travels on the Thames Path in England and our long trek on the Via Francigena. There’s no time like the present.
Plant a garden… indoors or outdoors, or both.
Get in touch with all those old friends you’ve been meaning to call
Paul just designed and is building a custom dining table for a client. David has resumed work on Blue. Mary’s working overtime. No one is idle here.
8. Clean one thing you don’t usually clean
It’s a great time to tidy up a little or do some spring housecleaning. I’m planning to clean the ceiling fans in each room one day, then dust off the baseboards another. There’s a hundred things I could do like straightening out the junk drawer or going through my closet and chucking out stuff I don’t use or wear any longer. BUT I don’t want to get too carried away.
9. Creative cooking
Create special dinners with whatever ingredients you have on hand. Granted, if all you have is liver and evaporated milk, it might be a challenge, but otherwise the link above can help come up with recipes that will work with what you have in your pantry.
Or set a fancy table for a change. There’s no better company than your family. Or maybe have a romantic dinner? or a fun family theme dinner… maybe Mexican or Italian or Chinese? Cook, decorate, learn a few phrases. You know, really get into it.
10. Sing, dance and make merry
“You’ve gotta dance like there’s nobody watching, Love like you’ll never be hurt, Sing like there’s nobody listening, And live like it’s heaven on earth.” - William W. Purkey
Sing up a storm. Sing with your spouse; sing with your kids; sing with the radio; sing with Alexa and dance all the while. Be like those ever-optimistic Italians who are crooning from their balconies. Dance, boogie, , waltz… by yourself or with a partner(s). Just keep moving.
11. Find a reason to celebrate
Celebrate Wednesday. Celebrate some obscure holiday or someone’s birthday (even if you don’t know them). Celebrate just being. I wrote a book several years ago called ‘Days & Ways to Celebrate’. Beginning early next week, I’ll be posting a weekly list for April celebrations just to keep you in the celebratory frame of mind. I know you’ll be waiting with bated breath.
12. Take naps
Enough said… just don’t overdo it. Cat naps are best.
The most important thing? Mix it up… don’t lay in bed all day, don’t sit in front of the computer or TV all day, don’t sit in a chair and just read. Walk, sing, dance, do a little work, learn something new, vary your routine.
You might have to be socially distanced, but you don’t have to be idle or lonely or bored.