Stories & Features

How to stay connected, active, and entertained

We're all adjusting to life looking different during the COVID-19 pandemic and the need to maintain physical distancing in our communities. It can be especially tough when we don't have access to the usual activities that help us maintain our health and wellness. Whether it comes to your weekly soccer game, dinner with extended family or friends, birthday celebrations, or spending time in the mountains, chances are that most of us are missing something from our regular routines right now.

If you need a little inspiration for ways to replace some of your usual activities, we've rounded up a few tips for what you might be missing.

Be physically distant, not socially distant

It's not quite the same as seeing the faces of loved ones up close and personal, but now's the time to get virtual. There are lots of options to get face-to-face with friends and family throughout the week – and you can do it while wearing your comfiest clothes. No one is judging.

• Try hosting a virtual gathering using your laptop, phone or tablet and tools like FaceTime, Houseparty, or Zoom. You can go one step further and try making the same meal so you can eat "together", or share a morning coffee.
• A new social movement designed to support local restaurants encourages ordering takeout on Wednesdays – if you want a night off from cooking, plan with a friend to order from the same place and organize a video chat while you eat together.
• If you have the space, consider organizing an outdoor social hour with neighbours. Ensure everyone stays two metres apart (sitting at the end of your driveway in a camping chair is a great option), each person brings their own drinks, snacks, and dishes, and spend some time catching up outdoors.
• Consider a social check-in with your colleagues: use the time you might spend on a coffee run or a lunch break during the work day to schedule a purely social call or video chat. Find a time that works for both of you, and try not to talk about work.

Keep your fitness routine going, even without team sports and gyms

To paraphrase the immortal Elle Woods, exercise gives you endorphins, and endorphins make you happy. Just because your usual sports or fitness activities are currently off-limits doesn't mean that you can't keep up with physical activity to support your overall wellbeing.

• If you've had to switch up your fitness routine because there's no hockey or soccer practice, you might be missing the thrill of competition. Consider using an app like Strava, Runkeeper or Nike Run to keep track of your pace, personal bests, or compete against others in your area.
• With gyms closed in most areas across B.C., you can still get a solid workout in at home. There are tons of great fitness options; the city of Surrey has been releasing a series of video workouts and many studios are offering reduced or free online options – it could be a great to try something new like barre or yoga.

Beat the boredom with new activities for kids

It's no secret that many parents are dealing with bored kids these days, with many of the typical activities off limits due to social distancing. If you've tapped all your usual options and you can't bear the thought of searching Pinterest for new ideas – we've found a few for you.

• If you're not on educational overload from your child's school, our very own Power Smart for Schools program has suggestions of some of their most popular activities that can be adapted for use at home.
• Consider bringing your kids into the kitchen if it's age-appropriate. Many of us are finding new ways to use up ingredients in our pantries or discovering the joys of bread baking for the first time. Some tips to get you started on cooking with kids.
• If you (or your family) play games on a personal phone or tablet – now's a great time to step up the competition! Invite friends to join you for a game while you FaceTime, or put together a virtual games night using tools like Jackbox Games + Zoom.

Get outdoors – and around the world

Getting outside is good for mind, body, and soul – and it can be easier to keep your distance! Remember to keep your outdoor adventures local – visit your city's website for a reminder of all the parks and green space around you, and take the time to explore someplace new.

• If you're considering hitting the trails – avoid the extra-popular ones in your community where it may be crowded and difficult to maintain physical distance. And remember that B.C. provincial parks and our BC Hydro recreation areas remain closed. But chances are there are still great local options near you for a walk, a hike or a bike ride.
• For those who have a backyard (or a front yard!) and are lamenting lost plans to go camping – consider spending a night or two outdoors anyways! There are lots of great tips available for a backyard camping adventure and one of the biggest ones is especially relevant right now: put the screens away for a night. If you really want to step up your quarantine camping, there are recipes for homemade marshmallows.
• If you're missing travel plans that were a little further afield, you can spend a cozy night in enjoying a whole range of amazing virtual tours that will take you across the globe. And you (or your school-aged travel companions) might learn something new too:
  • There are five national parks that offer audio tours and 360 photography thanks to Google Arts and Culture.
  • Museums of the world await you too, including the Musee D'Orsay in Paris and the British Museum in London.
  • The National Marine Sanctuaries even offer virtual dives. If you've ever wanted to give scuba diving a try – this is your chance!

Many of us are rediscovering old hobbies or picking up new ones as we adjust to a new routine. Or maybe you're just making it through each day – and that's okay too.