By Elijah Wiseman
With most of our usual sources of entertainment – the mall, a friend’s house, or the movie theater – closed due to the COVID-19 outbreak, it can be hard to find ways to get out of the house and occupy ourselves. Luckily, our options aren’t limited to Netflix. Here’s a list of some things you can do to keep busy while still staying safe and maintaining “social distance.”
- Go for a run! This is a great opportunity to stretch your legs and get a workout in the process. Remember to stay 6-10 feet away from other people and preferably to go solo. Spring weather makes an early-morning jog all the more inviting, and it can help improve your mood, so get out there!
- Learn to cook! Pick an easy recipe from online and make it. It’s easier than it seems and it’s very satisfying to eat food that you made yourself. You can find a few beginner recipes here. Who doesn’t love food?
- Plan a solo picnic! Choose a sunny spot on a warm day in the sunshine, break out your picnic blanket, and chow down on some of your favorite food. This can be an extremely relaxing and rejuvenating experience, especially if you’re feeling stressed about the unfamiliarity of this situation. Read a book, take a nap, or draw some of your surroundings while you enjoy the spring weather.
- Go for a hike! Although many other familiar places are closed, most trails in the Tri-state area are still open, including the ones at the Audubon Center in Greenwich, as well as Rockefeller State Park and Saxon Woods in Westchester. Mid-March is a great time to see spring come alive, whether it’s in the form of some of the first flowers, the singing of the recently-returned birds, or the warm air. It is advised to remain at least six feet away from other hikers so everyone can safely enjoy Audubon’s facilities.
- Go biking! Remember your helmet! Biking is a good workout and a great way to get your blood pumping.
- Read a book! Although most libraries are closed at this time, ebooks from apps such as cloudLibrary, BluefireReader, and Amazon Kindle are always available, as well as print books you may have in your home. Who knows, you may even find yourself enjoying it as much as your favorite Netflix show.
- Make a birdbath! This craft is surprisingly simple, and very rewarding. With a few household materials, such as a cake pan and a few rocks, you can attract birds to your backyard while providing them with a drink. Learn how to do it here.
- Draw! A pencil and paper is all you need. The sky’s the limit!
- Go birdwatching! Grab your binoculars and head to your nearest forest, pond, or meadow to watch your favorite birds return from migration.
- Make a bucket list! There are tons of crazy things you’ve always wanted to do but never have. Make a list of as many as you can think of!
