100+ Resources & Ideas to Help You Through Social Isolation During COVID-19

 
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I think we can all agree that this is a weird WEIRD time right now. Where I live near Seattle, everything is shut down except for things like grocery stores, hospitals and pharmacies… it’s eerie to say the least. And when I sit and think too long and too hard about what the actual frick is going on, I dig myself into a hole of anxiety and fear. After doing that one too many times, I’ve been able to keep really good spirits and high vibrations during this national pandemic. I feel weirdly… calm I would say. I feel hopeful that this will end and life will return to normal. I feel hopeful that the earth is getting the break it needed and is healing right now. I feel hopeful that we will all have a different perspective on life and will never take things for granted again. I feel hopeful that I will carry the lessons this time has taught me in my heart forever. I feel hopeful that we will all appreciate the little things a little deeper - a handshake with a stranger, a hug with our friend, time with our families, going to the store without fear, hosting parties, having girls nights… there is so much to appreciate that we’ve probably been taking for granted.

But as someone who lives alone, I understand how lonely this time can feel. By staying home we’re doing the right thing, but that doesn’t mean we don’t feel lonely (especially if most of your friends live with their families, friends and/or significant others). HECK - even if you DO live with other people, this time probably feels lonely.

So as we navigate this crazy time together, I wanted to share a list of amazing resources to help. From fun ideas to do at home, to my favorite books, to podcast episodes, to blog posts, to everything in between - I hope this master list can bring you SOME form of joy, distraction or calmness to your time in social isolation.

* Note that I WILL be adding to this as I see fit in the coming weeks! :) One that is TIMELY is the MINDFUL IN MAY MONTH OF MEDITATION challenge!! Click here to learn more and join me on this mindfulness journey!

Table of Contents

  • Calming Music

  • Pump-Up Music

  • Apps

  • Ebooks, Courses and Guides

  • Blog Posts

  • Related Podcast Episodes

  • Un-Related Podcast Episodes

  • Books (Personal Development, Poetry, Fiction, Non-Fiction, Educational)

  • Virtual Workouts

  • Virtual Yoga + Meditation

  • Fun Free At-Home Ideas

  • Things To Buy To Help Ease Your Mind

  • Small Businesses Doing Big Things

CALMING MUSIC

Sometimes you need to bring that heart rate down, calm your anxiety and be ~ still ~ among all of this. I created a playlist called “Fuzzy Socks” on Spotify that gives me all the calming vibes.

PUMP-UP MUSIC

And then there are times when you need to lift your mood and dance your little butt off in your apartment. For those moments I created a playlist called “Hairbrush Karaoke” to get you up and moving and feeling happy!

APPS

  • DiveThru – guided journaling (all dives are free and unlocked right now! They even added journal prompts that go along with what’s happening in our world)

  • DayOne - journaling app

  • Motivation – free; motivational quotes sent to you multiple times a day

  • I am – positive affirmations sent to you multiple times a day

  • Calm – guided meditation

  • 10% Happier – mindfulness meditation

  • Headspace – guided meditation

  • IBD Healthline – free; IBD support and they’re posting great relevant articles right now

  • Mighty Network and search for “the plenty and well with IBD community” – free; my IBD community membership! Great support network.

  • Simple Habit

EBOOKS, COURSES, AND GUIDES

BLOG POSTS

RELATED PODCAST EPISODES:

UNRELATED PODCAST EPISODES (to get your mind off of things)

GENERAL PODCAST (my recommendations 1-7, 8+ from my community!)

BOOKS

Personal Development (me recommendations 1-8, 9+ from my community!)

Poetry

Fiction (my recommendations 1-7, 8+ from my community!)

Nonfiction (my recommendations 1-7, 8+ from my community!)

Educational (my recommendations 1-5, 6+ from my community!)

WORKOUT RESOURCES

YOGA + MEDITATIONS

FUN FREE IDEAS TO DO AT HOME

  • Write kind messages in chalk outside (but make sure to keep 6 feet away from others while doing it!!)

  • Virtual dance party, coffee date, happy hour, baking party with friends via Zoom or FaceTime!!

  • Virtual date night with a significant other (even dress up!)

  • Get creative with the ingredients you have and record a “cooking show” with your roommates or family

  • Dance party at least once a day (at least)

  • Deep clean + organize your house

  • Rearrange your furniture

  • Have a Netflix “party” and watch the same movie via FaceTime with a friend

  • Have a Harry Potter movie marathon

  • Have a holiday movie marathon (maybe even whip up some holiday cookies - if you already have the ingredients - and hot chocolate!)

  • Make a fort in your living room and WFH in there

  • Puzzles and board games and cards (oh my!)

  • Create a book club with your friends or family

THINGS TO BUY TO EASE YOUR MIND

SMALL BUSINESSES DOING BIG THINGS + WAYS TO HELP

  • Seven Sundays: through April 10th all online shop proceeds going to The Sheridan Story – a non-profit organization helping food insecure families — now providing healthy meals for families while schools are closed

  • Sundays Studios: 20% off of their e-giftcards right now and all sales go to support their studio employees while studios are closed

  • FreckledFoodie posted an AMAZING blog posts on ways to help during this time if you're able to do so!

OOF what a LIST!!! I’m hoping to add more to my list as I ask my Instagram community for their favorites in each category. :) Stay safe, wash your hands, stay HOME, and try to make the best of this situation!! Xx

    

WellnessNatalie Kelleycovid-19, corona virus, wellnessComment