We just wanted to share a list that has ideas of things to do while we are social distancing right now. Originally this list was primarily for the Life Enrichment Department to utilize with residents. However, it has a variety of fun ideas that you might want to try yourself or share with a friend or relative who is experiencing feelings of isolation.
These are all free things that are able to be accessed online. This list is geared for adults and seniors but some items may also be interesting for children.
ABC’s of Combating Isolation
https://www.pioneernetwork.net/resource-library/
Virtual Museum Visits
Smithsonian: https://artsandculture.google.com/exhibit/understanding-the-natural-world-and-our-place-in-it/MgJSJH1tyZNELQ?hl=en
National Gallery of Art: https://artsandculture.google.com/partner/national-gallery-of-art-washington-dc?hl=en
Guggenheim: https://artsandculture.google.com/partner/solomon-r-guggenheim-museum?hl=en
Low Impact Seated Exercises
Seated Exercises for Older Adults: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BcPHWGQO44
Easy Seated: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SaYDK_LH_uk
Low –Intensity Seated Cardio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRI9obPG_aE
Chair Yoga: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEjiXtb2hRg
Art Lessons
Abstract Landscape Painting Demo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xofQUSZYJyk
Simple Landscape from Dots: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHu1soo6sMI
Nature Scenery Drawing for Beginners: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VJJSCVH_Wk
How to Draw a Cat: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpbFZV7KlgA
Knitting for Beginners: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_R1UDsNOMk
Free Learning
Ted Talks: https://www.ted.com/talks
Open Culture History Lessons: http://www.openculture.com/history_free_courses
Stanford History Lessons: https://sheg.stanford.edu/history-lessons
Harvard Extension School: https://www.extension.harvard.edu/open-learning-initiative
Yale Open Courses: https://oyc.yale.edu/
Meditation
Yoga Journal Guided Meditation: https://www.yogajournal.com/meditation/best-free-online-guided-meditations-for-beginners
Healing Brain Sounds: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8N9UR6OTCs&t=3172s
Bedtime Meditation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIL8FSlGxo4
Mindset of Gratitude/Morning Meditation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwrnKkLO0lQ
Printable Puzzles
Crosswords, word search, number puzzles, logic puzzles, Sudoku, quizzes, word play, etc.
https://www.printable-puzzles.com/
https://www.puzzles-to-print.com/
http://www.puzzlechoice.com/pc/Puzzle_Choicex.html
Other Boredom Busting Ideas
https://www.nobiggie.net/25-boredom-busters/
https://www.buzzfeed.com/leonoraepstein/things-to-do-when-you-are-bored-out-of-your-mind
https://thoughtstipsandtales.com/2016/08/02/bored-with-life-ultimate-adult-boredom-buster-guide/
….. and Finally Some Really Fun Looking Science Experiments!
https://www.iflscience.com/chemistry/unfinished-20-fun-science-experiments-you-can-do-home/