We all need to protect ourselves and our community by “staying at home”, but let’s be honest – even the most attractive apartment can get a little boring when it’s your only option. You can still explore the world and stay connected (without the use of social media) by using your computer or smart devices. There are plenty of resources to help you stay entertained, sane, and engaged! Below are a few of our favorite ways to master the art of “staying at home”:

Expand your horizons. You may be stuck in your apartment, but there are a variety of ways to explore new places and learn about the world online. Learn more about your family history with Ancestry.com. Go on a virtual safari via webcam, or visit a museum or national park on your smart TV. You can visit many interesting places right from your sofa including:

• Smithsonian Museum of Natural History
• National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
• The British Museum
• The Natural History Museum
• The Van Gogh Museum
• The Louvre
• The National Gallery of Art
• Yellowstone
• Colonial Williamsburg

Open your mind.  This is an excellent chance learn a new skill or discover a new hobby. You and your family can learn a new language with online resources like Rosetta Stone or Babbel. You can also take classes on everything from running a business to creating music – get started with SkillShare.

Workout at home. Your community gym is probably closed, but you can stick with your fitness plant or begin a healthy exercise program right in your apartment. Experts state that active lifestyles boost immunity and reduce anxiety. Go for a walk or a run, or try one of these online workouts:

Low Impact Workout for Beginners
High-Intensity Interval Training
Barre Body Sculpting Workout

Stay connected. Use your PC and smart devices to stay in touch with family and friends and prevent feelings of isolation. Join a book club to find friends who read and will talk about current releases with you, or discuss over 70,000 music topics with fellow music lovers. Meditate with people worldwide, or get support from other parents who know how hard it is to homeschool your children for the first time.

Explore your kitchen. A healthy diet is an important part of boosting immunity and improving your outlook. If you are new to cooking at home, let Gordon Ramsey lead you through the basics, or brush up on your knife skills with Jamie Oliver. If you are an experienced cook, try something new, like learning how to create complex pastries or discovering the nuances of Chinese cuisine.

Make a plan for your escape. Be optimistic and look ahead by planning a vacation to a place you’ve never visited! Take a look at potential colleges with your high school student and take a virtual tour as you decide which universities you want to consider, or prepare for a Disney vacation and take a virtual ride on a Disney ride at several Disney locations worldwide.

Have fun. When it’s time to take a break from your devices and computer, try these great crafts and activities and take some time to enjoy the people you live with every day in a new, fun way.

While COVID-19 may present challenges to our families and communities, we also have the chance to take advantage of unique opportunities: to learn new things, to reach out to our loved ones, and to look beyond our daily routine for a new perspective. Stay safe, stay connected – we can not only survive, but we can also improve!