The best way to protect ourselves and the community is to “stay at home”, but let’s face it – even the nicest apartment can get a little boring after a while. You can still explore the world and stay connected (without the use of social media) thanks to your computer or smart device. There are lots of resources to help you stay entertained, sane, and engaged! Below are a few of our favorite ways to take advantage of “staying at home”:

Open your mind. This is a stellar opportunity to learn a new skill or try 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 knitting to music – get started with SkillShare.

Expand your horizons. You may be stuck at home, but there are still plenty of ways to explore the world and learn new things online. Learn more about your family history with Ancestry.com. Go on a virtual safari via webcam, or try visiting a museum or national park on your smart TV. You can visit many amazing locations 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

Explore your kitchen. Healthy eating is an effective way to strengthen immunity and improve your attitude. If you are new to cooking at home, let Gordon Ramsey teach you 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.

Work out at home. Your community gym may be closed, but you can stay in shape or begin a healthy exercise program right in your apartment. Experts say 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 to avoid isolation. You can also meet new friends and stay current with a variety of online resources. 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.

Make a plan for your escape. Look to the future and stay optimistic by planning a destination vacation! Look at potential colleges with your high school student and take a virtual tour as you narrow down the institutions you want to visit, 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 step away from the devices for a fun distraction, 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!