7 things to do during Quarantine



Coronavirus lockdown may be lifted in some countries, but many of your usual means of entertainment are probably still off the menu. For most of us, being in quarantine is a new experience that can impact our mental health and emotional wellbeing. There are a lot of uncertainties and unknowns. For those who are doing hotel quarantine or self-isolation, here are the seven tips to help you stay busy and be productive while you are stuck in hotel and at home. 


1. Do more reading

What better way to get your mind off things than to immerse yourself in the world of books you have been putting off. Books exercise the brain, build our vocabularies, lowers stress and also enhances the imagination. Whether you prefer fiction or non-fiction, buy yourself some books and start reading more this week. Nowadays, books do not necessarily have to be in the form of ink and paper, you can easily find e-books, audio books and podcasts from the internet.

2. Learn a New Skill Online

Perhaps the most productive activity on this list, online courses are a great way to feel a sense of achievement during quarantine. Building up your qualifications by enrolling in courses can also be accompanied by learning new skills. Many online platforms such as Coursera are offering free online courses and remote classes. Now is the best time to enroll in the class that you have always thought about.

3. Workout

When you’re held in a relatively small space for what could be 14 days, it’s going to be a very inactive two weeks.  There are endless online resources for these sorts of body-weight workouts that don’t require equipment.  A proper workout session will surely kickstart your heart rate and making you feel a little less lethargic and definitely more energetic than before.

4. Host a Virtual Zoom Call

It can get pretty lonely right now, and this is where technology can be helpful. Schedule some time to do a group video chat with some of your friends to check in on how they're doing. Make time to catch-up and have a virtual lunch, dinner or gathering with your friends and family. Staying connected is especially important to maintain your relationships and it also greatly benefits your mental health by getting you out of your headspace.

5. Meditate

It’s important to be mindful of your surroundings as well as your wellbeing whilst in quarantine, and meditation might help you get a bit of peace of mind in times of uncertainty. Meditating is also a great form of stress release that may help you to reduce anxiety, enhance self-awareness and promote your own emotional health. Find a quiet space, light some candles and clear your mind with some therapeutic meditation music. 

6. Learn a New Language

Something like learning a language is perfect when looking for things to do in hotel quarantine. You want activities that are constructive and engaging to keep you occupied. Well, learning a new language is the best fit. Downloading several apps like Duolingo, Linguee and etc. could be helpful in the journey of language learning. 

7. Keep a Journal

Keeping track of your thoughts, activities and learnings is always a good idea - and a highly productive one at that. You might look back at this time and process your memories or even process your thoughts for the day or the week that has passed. You can do this privately on your computer, mobile or even better in a notebook. It is helpful to clear your mind and put your thoughts into words. With this way, you could get to know yourself better while facing these uncertainties.

By staying at home and practicing social distancing, you're helping to contain the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. Isolation and quarantine are big factors in terms of starving out the disease. While this may be difficult and stressful, preventing the spread is necessary and is the only way we can hopefully go back to our way of normal. Stay safe!