Here are some ways to avoid boredom and stay mentally/physically well during COVID-19 (winter edition)

As COVID-19 cases rise as we go into the holidays, outdoor activities become limited. For the sake of our physical and mental well-being, we all need to figure out our own ways to cope through this winter! Here are some COVID-19, accessible, fun, and friendly activities!

• Daily Mindfulness Exercise: mindfulness does not have to be meditation. Mindfulness is about enjoying and acknowledging the present moment. When you practice being mindful throughout the day, you express gratitude for what is going on around you at that moment, not what is going to happen tomorrow or what happened yesterday. Often times, it is very easy to get caught up in the past and future, to keep our minds healthy, practice being fully in the present moment. Here are some ways you can do that,
  • Mindful eating (For those that have busy schedules): If you have a chance to eat a meal alone, try to focus on the texture, taste, and smell of the food you are eating instead of watching TV or browsing through your phone. Mindful eating can help reduce any stress or anxiety that you may be having and express gratitude for that moment and what you are consuming.
  • Deep Breathing: This helps use your full lung capacity and can calm the central nervous system. We can be caught up in our minds quite often, this can help connect the mind and body.
  • Gratitude and the act of Giving: We can express gratitude to those we care for around us. Sometimes when we give to others and be thankful this increases positive emotions. Maybe send a friend, family member, etc. a special letter for why you are thankful for them. It could truly make both of your days.
  • Meditation Exercise/Yoga: As we must know, these are very beneficial for improving mental health. Check out some online classes to advance your skills here

• Arts, Crafts, and Imagination: Obviously, art is a form of great therapy for our minds. Imagination and complex activities can help keep our brain sharp. Here are some activities you can do with family members,
  • Create and decorate a gingerbread house
  • For those that are not great painters, check out paint by number kits. These are very advanced paintings starting for $20, they can take up to a couple weeks to finish depending how many hours you spend on it. Check it out here
  • Learn a new activity and make a fun gift for friends and family: baking, knitting, crochet, quilting etc. Many people have been creating blankets to donate to local shelters.

• Physical Exercise: There are many online classes that offer great exercise programs.
  • BORP (Bay Area Outreach and Recreation Programs): Their Adult Sports Program offers year-round activities at least three nights a week, including Wheelchair Basketball, Power Soccer, and Goalball (a unique sport for individuals with visual impairments). Emphasis is on increasing fitness and playing skills, with opportunities for local and regional tournament team participation. This program provides a structured sports environment for our graduating youth program participants, as well as opportunities for disabled adults trying sports for the first time. For many of our participants, our programs are their only opportunity for establishing a regular fitness routine. Check it out here 
  • Kakana: Check out all-accessible work-out classes online through Kakana. There is a 7-day free trail get a feel of what the classes are like. They have a range of different classes such as: meditation, yoga, cardio, strength, crosscycle, and etc. Check it out here 
  • Dare2tri: “Dare2tri is an Illinois-based 501(c)3 non-for-profit organization with the mission to enhance the lives of individuals with physical disabilities and visual impairments by building confidence, community, health and wellness through swimming, biking, and running.” Check it out here and look-out for backbones fitness challenge!

• Social Activities: All humans need some social interaction with family member, loved ones, and friends. Here are some ways you can engage and make a fun activity out of it.
  • The one and only ZOOM: I am sure we are slowly getting tired of zoom, but there is a fun way to switch it up. If you have the full zoom package, the host will be able to create break-out rooms. This way you can play a game and have a chance to talk to people individually, because sometimes with a group zoom, you do not get the same intimacy.
  • Join online discussions: There are many organizations having open conferences and informative events that you can register for. There are a range of topics that you can become familiar with. Check out this website where multiple events are listed.
  • Drive-in movies and Drive-by Christmas light shows with a special friend or family member (make it a road trip if you live far). Check out events here

BACKBONES hopes this helps spark some creative ideas on how to get though this winter together! Please stay in touch and look out for our future events!