So, you survived the first coronavirus lockdown. It might have been touch and go at times but your sanity is still intact. Congrats to you! Unfortunately, it really doesn’t look like we’re out of the COVID-19 woods just yet though!
The slackening of social distance requirements and the reopening of economies across Europe and around the world has seen a dramatic resurgence of cases. It’s looking like a second wave is an increasingly real possibility and with that will likely come a new lockdown.
You’ve done this once before though so you can do it again. Especially with these tips on entertaining yourself if or when you become a prisoner in your own home once again!
Get in Shape
Lockdown has had a devastating impact on the mental health of many people. The isolation from friends and loved ones has people feeling, well, isolated. It’s not surprising at all that people are feeling out of sorts but there are things you can do that will not only entertain yourself but will lift your spirits in a very physical way!
No Gym No Problem
Exercise is always important but it’s even more so when you’re trapped at home. The temptation might be to just put your feet up in front of the TV or scroll social media but that’s hardly good for your body, your mental health, or your waist-line either!
Why not get into the habit of regularly exercising whilst on lockdown? You don’t need to spend any money or leave the house to do it either. There are loads of personal trainers on YouTube and other streaming platforms that have home workouts that you can do whilst your little ones are having an afternoon nap. Some of them are quite dishy too!
Audiobooks/Podcasts
If the same four walls are driving you insane, you can escape them with audiobooks or podcasts. The best thing about audio books is that you don’t have to sit and physically hold a book to enjoy them. You can be whisked away to somewhere infinitely more exciting that your home whilst you crack on with other tasks about the house.
There are loads of audiobook platforms these days. Of course, most of them aren’t free but some offer free trials or have advertising built in to fund them. This means you have access to a massive library of some of the world’s best literature without spending a penny!
If fiction isn’t really your thing, you can expand your mind with podcasts. Most podcasts are completely free (again, listening to the occasional advert or message from a sponsor is the only cost to the listener). There are podcasts about just about everything too. Whatever your interests are, search Google for podcasts relating to that theme. Both audiobooks and podcasts also offer entertainment away from a TV or computer screen too – and we all spend way too much time in front of screens!
Socially Distanced Socialising
It’s natural to feel isolated during lockdown. Protecting yourself and your family from the coronavirus unfortunately means staying away from others. However, the internet means that we can all stay connected even if we can’t be together physically.
If you’re missing your friends and family, make time for them. Arrange dates with those closest to you for a chitchat, a quiz, for cocktails, or whatever. If your older relatives aren’t familiar with digital video conferencing technology, get on the phone and talk them through setting it up. Once they’re up and running, you can get a video call going between yourself, the kids, and your parents. Your old folks will be just as isolated as you and you obviously know how much they love seeing their grandchildren!
Visit the Casino
Yes, we know we said free entertainment but you should know that gambling doesn't have to be money draining entertainment at all if you use codes which don't require you to put up any money. Loads of online casinos offer an opportunity to play their games for free and will give you a chance to win real money.
Known as no deposit bonuses, these promotions work as advertising for the casino. The rationale is that you’re much more likely to make a deposit in the future if you’ve already signed up for an account. All you need to do is find a bonus, sign up at the casino, and try your luck. If you lose, it’s no big deal because it cost you nothing. If you win, great stuff! You can bank it and signup to another casino offering a no deposit bonus!
Learn a Language
As well as exercising your body, you can use all this extra free time to give your brain a good workout too. Where were you supposed to go on your holidays this year? If you’ve been given the opportunity to reschedule it, why not use all this extra free time to get familiar with a few expressions to help you chat to the locals? You’ll be amazed at how much a simple “buenas noches”, “cuánto es”, or “cómo estás” will impress your bartender, hotel worker, or shop assistant.
So many so little time
Although there are certainly many paid services that you can use to learn a foreign language, the free ones shouldn’t be overlooked. Apps like Duolingo have proved that it’s possible to provide very thorough lessons on a business model that’s based on advertising alone. If you’d rather go it alone though, you can always use Google Translate.
You don’t need to go crazy on the vocabulary. Just get a few basics down. Think about the phrases you use most on holiday and look for translations in Spanish, Greek, French, or whatever language is spoken in the country you’ll be eventually heading to. Get a list together and use Google Translate for their foreign equivalents.
There are also many great free resources on streaming platforms like YouTube too. Look for lessons that are aimed at absolute beginners and make sure to have a pen and paper handy. Passively watching such content will benefit you but nowhere near as much as writing everything down and revisiting it later in the day will!
Get Creative in the Kitchen
Finally, you can brush up on your culinary skills. Ok, this one might not be technically free but you were going to be buying food anyway. Instead of loading the fridge or freezer with ready meals or frozen pizzas, look up some easy homecooked recipes.
Home cooking might involve more time and effort but it’s so much more rewarding. The meals you prepare yourself will probably taste better, will almost certainly be healthier, and, if you shop economically, will probably be cheaper too.
For most people, its time restrictions that stop them cooking meals from scratch. We all live busy lives and sometimes, it’s just easier to throw something in the microwave. But, if there’s one thing lockdown has given all of us, it’s free time! You never know, you might discover that you’ve been letting a talent in the kitchen go to waste!
