Self-Isolation Doesn’t Have to Be Isolating, by Sarah Cuddie

Inside cover from our 5th issue: Stressed Out! by Danielle Grinberg

Self isolation is a critical way to slow the spread of COVID-19, but too much isolation isn’t good for our mental health. Whether you’re staying home with other people or you live on your own, there are lots of ways to self-isolate that don’t involve you being alone. 

Virtual Dinner Party

Get your friends together on Skype, Zoom, Facetime, or Google Hangouts and enjoy a meal together by video call! Everyone can make their own thing, or you can try a simple recipe together so you’re all eating the same dish, just in different places. Light some candles, or dress up to make it an occasion. 

Board Game Night

Lots of popular board games have online multiplayer versions, so you can play favorites like Clue, Ticket to Ride, Uno, Scrabble or more with your friends! Tabletopia has a wide array of free online board games, and you can also check out Steam for a range of free and paid options based on traditional board games.

Live Theatre

If you’ve always wanted to do a dramatic reading of a play, now is the perfect moment! Choose a play, choose your roles, and then get together on a video call to do a dramatic reading. There are lots of plays available online or through your local library in ebook versions. For the more kid friendly version, have kids pick some favourite picture books, get their friends on video and have them read the stories to each other (or with help from a grown-up)

Campfire

Everyone needs a candle (or a few) and some marshmallows, popcorn, or other good fireside snacks for this one. Once the s’mores are cooking, share your talents with your friends. Scary stories, songs, riddles, anything goes around the campfire. Bonus points if you can sit outside while you call in with your friends.

Do a workout, virtually or irl

You have to leave a bit more space than usual between you and your running buddy, but physical activity is really important to stay mentally and physically healthy, so why not do it with a friend! If you can’t get to the same park or running trail, consider doing some yoga or other fitness activity at the same time in different spaces. Decide what your start and end times will be, and then hop on the phone when your workout is done. Just don’t forget to stretch!

Scavenger Hunt

If you have kids (or kids at heart) in your home, make getting outdoors an adventure by setting up a scavenger hunt. You can either hide clues, or have them look for things in nature like leaves or rocks. Want to keep it 100% touch free? Try a photo scavenger hunt and challenge them to get pictures of all the things on the list.

Notes for neighbors

Whether you know your neighbors or not, now is a time when everyone could use a little extra happiness. Drop notes in your neighbors’ mailboxes or by their apartment door. What should you include? A drawing, a funny joke, a poem, a quote… whatever you can imagine. It’s also a nice way to let them know how to get in touch if they need any help or are just a bit lonely. 

Karaoke Sing-Along

Italy has been really leaning into this one, with a number of viral videos of neighbors singing together from their balconies. Think you can get this going in your apartment building? Maybe across a few backyards? Or maybe just with your family or roommates indoors.