Pandemic Pick-Me-Ups

As we enter the ninth month of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is easy to feel down. However, there are many fun activities that you can do both in your home and around the Bay Area (socially distanced of course) to lighten the mood.

First, we’ll look at some activities that you can do in your own home. 

1. Bake a tasty fall treat. Some of my personal favorites are pumpkin pie, gingersnap cookies, and apple cinnamon tarts. 
2. Watch all the really long movies that you have put off.
3. Start a journal. Writing is a good way to express yourself, especially in such a stressful time.
4. Meditate. Similar to journaling, meditation is an amazing way to de-stress and relax your mind.
5. Start a garden in your backyard. Find some unused space (with your parents’ permission of course), and plant whatever you want. Cherry tomatoes are great for beginners!
6. Organize your closet. This is not only beneficial to you, but donating any old clothes to those in need is a great way of giving back to the community, especially during this uncertain time.
7. Read a book or two — check out “Zoe’s Book Reviews” for suggestions. Now that you have more time around the house, pick up a book that’s been collecting dust on your shelf and give it a try.
8. Host a Zoom movie night. Get a group of friends together and watch a movie together using Netflix Party or any other streaming platform.
9. Go “camping” in your backyard. Due to COVID-19, many traditional campsites are not up and running, but it can be just as fun to set up in your very own backyard.

Next, let’s explore some activities that you can do in and around the Bay Area.

1. Go on a hike. You can stay local and head up to the Oakland or Berkeley Hills, or head out a little further to Point Reyes. One of my favorites is Sequoia BayView Trail!
2. Go camping with your family. Take some time out of your weekend or use a break like our upcoming Thanksgiving Break to spend some time in the wilderness. 
3. Hop on a bike and explore your neighborhood, or take your bike somewhere such as San Francisco and enjoy the beautiful scenery.
4. Pick up a new hobby or sport.
5. Take some pictures. Take time to find the beauty in places you pass everyday such as your town, house, or neighborhood.  
6. Encourage either your family to have a picnic or gather a small group of friends (no more than 6 people total) and have a socially distanced picnic where everyone brings their own food.
7. Go to a drive-in movie with your family. With normal theaters closed, drive-in movie theaters are a fun and safe alternative.

Though this pandemic has taken over our lives for the past few months, finding ways to make the most of everyday will help you to find the positives even in this difficult time.