Things to Do While at Home

Whether you are in quarantine, working remotely, or just have to spend an extended time at home, life can get extremely boring without engaging activities to occupy your time. Though it might be a scary time, occupying your time with meaningful activities and hobbies can help ease stress and anxiety. Through this article, we will explore different ways you can stay busy while at home. From hobbies to exercises, we will outline some of the best ways you can make the most of your time.For more information on the situation at hand check out our past blog stories here and here. For more information on what is happening in Alberta click here. Be sure to check out the resources at the bottom of the page for more information.

At Senior Home Care by Angels, we can help ease your fears of COVID-19 by putting you in touch with Alberta Health Services (AHS) and/or trusted doctors. As an essential service, we work hand in hand with AHS and the Office of the Public Trustee and know how to contact them to address your concerns. Feel free to ask any of our care staff for tips on how to stay safe during this time. Whether you are in St. Albert, Edmonton, Sherwood Park, Spruce Grove or other surrounding communities, check out our companion care services here or other home care services here if you require other care!

1. Connect with Friends and Loved Ones 

Though you might not be able to see your friends and loved ones in person, it does not mean you still can’t connect with them. Whether it’s a quick phone call or a text message, reconnecting with family members or friends can make isolation feel a lot less lonely. Want something a bit more personal? Make sure to utilize the Facetime or Skype app on your phone or computer for a live video call. These apps will allow you to see the person you are calling for a more personal face to face experience. Though you may not be in the same room as your loved one/friend, Facetime and Skype provide the next best thing. If you get bored with talking, these apps can be used in the background while you play games such as cards or checkers. Though you may not be able to play these games in person, playing them online or over a Facetime call is still incredibly fun. As relayed by The Mental Health Foundation, keeping up with personal relationships helps maintain positive mental health and reduce loneliness associated with isolation. If you haven’t spoken to a friend or loved one in a long time, now might be the time to catch up! 

2. Catch up on the Latest TV and Movies  

Have you been saying “I really need to watch that”? Now is the perfect time to catch up on that tv show or movie you have been dying to see. Though all theatres are temporarily closed, it doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the latest releases. As films cannot be shown in theatres, a lot of studios are releasing their newest releases under the moniker “Home Premier”. This means instead of releasing the film to theatres as movie studios normally would, the film goes directly to on-demand services for rental. Though a lot of the year’s most anticipated films (such as Marvel’s Black Widow or the next James Bond film No Time to Die) have been pushed back to December or 2021, some studios are utilizing home premier to maximize profits during this time. You can find these films under the home premier option under any on-demand service (i.e. your cable service provider, PlayStation Network, Apple TV). Just keep in mind, these rentals cost more than regular rentals that have already premiered in theatres and came to on-demand services after their initial 1-2 month theatre run (20$ for home premier vs 7$). Be sure to check out home premier films such as The Invisible Man or Emma for some of the best on the platform. If that doesn’t entice you, no problem! Remember, Netflix, Crave, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney Plus all have great selections of tv shows and movies to choose from. 

Not sure what to watch? Check out our best of 2019 movie and tv lists here and here for a place to start.

3. Exercise 

Just because you can’t go to the gym doesn’t mean you can’t stay active while at home. Regardless if you have home exercise equipment or not, there are still multiple ways to keep fit while at home. Stretching, using makeshift weights or doing simple cardio are great ways to keep you moving and healthy. Remember, just because you are self-isolating doesn’t mean you can’t get some fresh air and go for a walk. As long as you are maintaining social distance and standard hygiene practices, going for a walk is safe. According to the World Health Organization, insufficient exercise is a key risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and diabetes. Furthermore, exercise has a vast array of health benefits such as improving mood, boosting energy and maintaining a healthy weight. Though it might be easy to sit on the couch for numerous hours and binge a captivating show (like we said above), make sure it is matched with at least 30 minutes of exercise a day (150 hours a week). Check out some great home exercises here or here.

4. Keep Your Mental Health in Check 

While in isolation one’s mental health can take a serious hit without proper stimulation. Whether it’s trying out a new recipe, connecting with others, or cleaning your house, keeping busy during this time can help you in the long run. Practicing self-care is a great start in addressing your needs. However, even though exercising and engaging with others can help to a certain degree, sometimes professional help and medication are needed. At Senior Home Care by Angels we can help you get in touch with mental health experts provided by Alberta Health Services. Furthermore, if you need someone to pick up a prescription for you, we can do so at your leisure. If you see a counselor on a regular basis and are requiring services, try asking if they will see you remotely. As mentioned above, Skype or Facetime can be used to have an online video chat with others. This applies to counselors and psychologists as well! Just email your mental health experts to see if they are offering their services remotely. Not sure where to turn? Text4Hope is a great service to help with resiliency and coping. Text4Hope can be found here. Furthermore, you can always call the mental health helpline at 1-877-303-2642 or 211 if you need someone to talk to. If you are looking for something specific check out our links at the bottom of the page. 

5. Clean  

One of the best ways to address your needs is by giving your home a deep clean. For some people, cleaning one’s home can help relieve mental anguish and take your mind off of stress and anxiety. A clean home can lead to mental clarity and help open your mind to new ideas. Giving your house a good scrub will keep you active as well as teach you how to live minimally. Is there a stack of clothes you don’t wear anymore? Is there dust settling into some old furniture? Now is the time to declutter and organize your life. For example, cleaning your house can also reduce allergens, help reduce infection and lower the risk of injury. Rearranging your home to address risks and methods of injury can save you from a nasty fall in the future. Moving a certain piece of furniture or removing a loose carpet can help you avoid an unneeded trip to the hospital. Since hospital visits are more dangerous than ever at this time, taking the time to address household safety concerns is a great way to stay safe. If you need more information, check out our fall prevention article here for great fall prevention techniques.

Staying at home for long periods of time can be tough many of us. Keeping your mental health in check, staying active and keeping yourself engaged are all key points to staying safe, healthy and happy while at home. Whether it’s a quick walk, contacting loved ones or watching some engaging tv, staying at home can be fun as long as you keep busy. 

At Senior Home Care by Angels, we are upholding the proper safety and healthcare measures to keep you safe and free of infection. If you need transportation to doctor’s appointments we are there for you. If you are in isolation or not confident to leave your house, we can deliver groceries, prescriptions or other essentials! Even if you do not have a care staff in your home, we can still help you out remotely. As stated by the Alberta Government, Senior Home Care by Angels as a home care company, is deemed as an essential service, therefore, we are here for you and your family at any time to assist with your needs. 

Feel free to ask any Senior Home Care by Angels caregiver for advice on how best to contact healthcare professionals about information regarding coronavirus.

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You can reach Senior Home Care by Angels here, or by phone at (780) 487-4256. We look forward to speaking with you and your family to provide you with all the home care solutions you need!

Resources:

Canadian Mental Health Association

https://cmha.ca/news/covid-19-and-mental-health

Alberta Health Services Mental Health Guideline

https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/assets/info/amh/if-amh-mhpip-disaster-pandemic-covid-19-and-your-mental-health.pdf

https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/amh/Page16759.aspx?utm_source=google&utm_medium=sem&utm_campaign=Covid19&utm_term=MentalHealth&utm_content=v3&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIpfSnqorc6AIVfz6tBh0ViAlUEAAYASAAEgIPgvD_BwE

Mental Health Foundation Research

https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/statistics/mental-health-statistics-relationships-and-community

Workouts

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ev6yE55kYGw

https://www.lifeline.ca/en/resources/14-exercises-for-seniors-to-improve-strength-and-balance/

https://www.cbc.ca/life/wellness/online-workouts-for-seniors-and-how-to-pick-the-right-one-for-you-1.5508773

Makeshift Weights

https://www.cosmopolitan.com/health-fitness/advice/a32196/items-that-work-just-as-well-as-weights/

Senior Isolation

https://www.med.ubc.ca/news/how-to-support-seniors-during-the-covid-19-outbreak/

WHO Myths

https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/myth-busters

CDC Hand Sanitizer

https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/show-me-the-science-hand-sanitizer.html

CDC Hand Washing

https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/why-handwashing.html

https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/index.html

Senior COVID-19 Resources

https://www.alberta.ca/senior-supports.aspx

News Stories:

Isolation Tips

https://globalnews.ca/video/6698397/covid-19-and-isolation-tips-you-can-follow-to-take-advantage-of-your-time-alone

https://www.businessinsider.com/why-loneliness-bad-brain-body-what-to-do-2018-5

How to Look After Yourself and Others

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/17/pause-reflect-and-stay-home-how-to-look-after-yourself-and-others-in-self-isolation

Mental Health

https://globalnews.ca/news/6707693/coronavirus-mental-wellness/