Now, as the threat of the coronavirus grows and public venues shutter, residents are avoiding crowds, lathering themselves with hand sanitizer (PSA – Spare Sanitizers For Other People, Please & Thank you!) and — increasingly — staying home. Some are finding themselves in self-quarantine & we found ways to stay busy and entertained without being outside for more than a minute or two.

Fortunately, there are still plenty of relaxing and rewarding ways to spend the weekend solo, from watching top movies and reading bestsellers to catching up on household tasks.

Movie Madness

Catch up on all the movies that you’ve been meaning to watch but never got around to doing so. We’d recommend starting off with movies that were featured at this years Oscars.

Read a book…or two

Tuck into a recent page-turner written by a local writer,  or Lois and Her Adventures in the Underground Market,” by New York Times best-selling author Robin Sloan, of Oakland. It’s about an overworked software engineer who finds joy as a baker. That sourdough starter though … it’s alive.

Relax with music

Spend the day, on Spotify/Apple music getting caught up on your listening. A home concert of the top albums that are currently trending on the charts would give you a selection that features Post Malone, Panic at the Disco, Coldplay, Taylor Swift & many more.

Some time to yourself, finally

Take a long warm bath, enjoy a nice cup of tea, catch up on the zzz’s. You could also indulge in a pampering facial. Bust out that deep hair conditioner and rub on that exfoliating scrub before they both expire in your cabinet. Been neglecting your nails? Mani-pedis for everyone in the house. Even making a simple scrub — brown sugar, coconut oil, a few drops of essential oil — will shed away chapped lips and make you feel great.

Cook to your Heart’s Content

Cook a comforting Machboos or an epic Thareed while your ingredient stock is fresh. Feeling a little under the weather, you could cook up some yummy Shorba.

Organize Your Home, Life

Now would be the perfect time to let your inner Marie Kondo shine. Get rid of things that don’t spark joy for you anymore. De-clutter your closet, go through photos and computer files, finally hang those pictures — or purge your cupboards and pantry of items you’ll never use.  For most tasks, the standard multi-cleaner you have on hand should suffice. And the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also says that most common household disinfectants are effective in killing the coronavirus.

Keep Active

If you like to staying active, but can’t get to your favorite yoga class or gym, you probably know moves you can do at home, from sun salutations to push-ups. But YouTube videos and apps can help with new ideas. You don’t really need an excuse to skip working out!

Get outdoors, Home Edition

Your plant friends need some time too! Shower them with some attention (literally). You also can start seeds indoors for planting when the soil warms up in April and May.

Stay Social

At home, you can still stay in touch with family and friends or even re-connect with old friends you’ve lost track of. Enjoy a long phone call with an old friend, or try FaceTime or Skype. Use social media in a positive way to engage in thoughtful discussions about your favorite books, movies and other hobbies and interests.

Play Games

Board games are an excellent way to have fun at home & bring out your inner competitor. Some of our favorites include Monopoly, Catan, Sequence, Game of Life. These are just a few of the many varieties out there. Go to a local game store and see what appeals to the taste of your family. The great thing about board games is that you are able to interact with everyone while playing. May the odds be in your favor!

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By Diandra Welles