Yeh, I know. That good old routine of getting into work, grabbing your morning coffee on the way in...and when the day is over you head home and get ready to hit the gym.
Obviously, Corona has changed the way we live our day to day lives. A once in a century event, they say. The news channels are all doom and gloom and speaking to friends over the phone or when bumping into someone whilst shopping for essentials just goes to show the hardships most of us a going through, both financially and emotionally.
Isolation is absolutely necessary and you'd be mad to risk your health, and the lives of the frail, by believing that it's time for you to take a break from being locked in. I just won't do it.
I take the isolation as an opportunity to get fitter, soak up some new skills and give myself some choices for entertainment.
Below are some things I've been up to during the isolation period.
There are heaps of videos on youtube to get you in shape without the need for any gym equipment. A simple search on youtube for "home workout no weights" gets you back a stash of results you can work with.
If you have some free space and your budget allows, try and get yourself a boxing bag and matching gloves. Boxing is an awesome sport that requires a great level of skill while at the same time keeping you fit (as well as a chance to vent).
Start by learning the punch numbering system: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DLSxuxUtGI and getting your stance right. You can then get onto youtube and train along some heavy bag workout videos, such as : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sfvb9ehUvvw
The aim is not to necessarily become a professional boxer. I take it as an opportunity to stay fit in a fun way.
If you don't have a Pay TV subscription (or even if you do), you will find apps outside of the Google Playstore that will allow you to stream Live channels. I'm running an Android phone to cast/mirror my phone's display to my TV screen.
- Mobdro is an Android an app for Android devices that allows you to do just that. It provides access to some pretty awesome streaming content
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Enable "Install Apps from Unknown Sources"
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Download the app from https://www.mobdro.bz/
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Install the APK (App)
Using your device's file manager, browse to the location where the app was downloaded.
Click on the APK and follow the prompts to install onto your device
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Launch the App and Enjoy the Content
Get online and find a Forum, Facebook group that you find interesting and start contributing and answering questions. Start reading answers to questions that you DON'T know the answers to! There are groups dedicated solely for knowledge sharing.
Sign up for a free online course. Some sites/organisations will issue you are course completion certificate at a reasonable price, which can add arsenal to your existing resume.
One example is https://online-learning.harvard.edu/catalog/free.
If you have a backyard or balcony and are fortunate enough to be living during a season that allows for some sunshine, soak up some sun. Breath in some fresh air. For every hour indoors, spend 5 mins outside absorbing fresh air and sunshine.
None of us strive to be ignorant, but being isolated under the current circumstances has the potential to plunge us into a depression. Watch the news, but limit to watching it once a day just to ensure you're up to date with the latest social distancing updates and announcements re the virus. Having a Live Corona Virus news channel churning the whole day won't do any good for mental health. You might more up to date than anyone else on the virus status and figures, but you might also find yourself anxious and depressed.