(1) Learn a new language - Duolingo is a very good free app to use (despite the passive aggressive daily reminders lol). You can set a time for how long you want to learn per day so you can actively set aside time in your day to do a bit of language learning. It encourages listening, writing, speaking and reading skills. We highly recommend this!!
(2) Tidy your room/cupboards/desk - if you cba to do actual exercise (Mary for sure lol) then this will get you moving around whilst being productive. Be brutal and get rid of the things you do not need. I had hundreds of pens in my desk so got a piece of paper and tested them to see which ones still worked (so many did not lol) so I got rid of those that no longer worked. I then organised my desk drawers into 3 sections. One for uni work, one for important documents and one for pads of paper, paper wallets and folder dividers etc.
(3) Watch a TV series - Maz is currently watching The Purge and Outnumbered (weird lil TV show combo) & Abbie is currently re-watching A Discovery of Witches (definitely recommend it - especially for the views of Oxford). Check out our blog post on TV shows for some more recommendations.
(4) Back up your phone photos onto your laptop and sort them into relevant folders...doesn't sound fun but the satisfaction after it is v gooood. You could also print some photos off and create a scrapbook - release your creative energy!!
(5) Bakeeeee - search for some recipes online - you can even get some super simple 3 ingredient cookie recipes for those who are 'challenged' in the baking department. Abs and I have made Lemon Drizzle Cake and Garlic-Cheese Soda Bread. Perks of this task = yummy food to eat!!!
(6) Home workout/ Yoga - The DownDog apps are kindly free for students and teachers until July 1st 2020 and free for everyone else until May 1st 2020 so go check them out. This is a great way to stay healthy and motivated. It will also force you to get out those PJs and get productive. In addition, exercise will improve your mental health and mood – very important during self-isolation.
(7) Meditation - there are some fab apps for meditation so just have a look on the app store. You can also find some guided meditation videos on YouTube. They range in length from 5 minutes to over an hour so you have no excuse not to do it, even if you only do a short one. It can really enhance your mood. Gratitude meditations can also help you to see the positives in this situation and remind you of all the good things you have in your life.
(8) Read a book - grab a cuppa, light a candle and distract yourself with a good book. Mary is currently reading Enigma Variations by Andre Aciman (the author of Call Me By Your Name) – it is so good and dreamy!! Abbie is currently reading Crown of Midnight by Sarah J Maas and is loving this fantasy book series.
(9) Marie Kondo your clothes - if it doesn't spark joy then get rid of it (put them in a bag ready to give to charity once the lockdown lifts). Marie Kondo is a Japanese organizing consultant, author, and TV show host. Her method is a system of simplifying and organising your home/wardrobe/room by getting rid of items that do not bring you joy. There are many YouTube videos on this if you want to know more.
(10) Do some uni work?? - I know it sounds like a grim prospect but when do you ever have this much time to catch up with all your uni work? Take advantage of it. Don’t work yourself silly but do a few hours a day to keep on top of it. You’ll thank yourself later.
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