Full Heart Home Care fully supports efforts to contain the coronavirus and encourages clients and caregivers alike to practice social distancing. If you’re getting antsy in isolation, try these activities to exercise your mind and body without leaving the house.

Activity: Pick a word, any word.

  • What you’ll need: Paper and pen or pencil
  • What to do: Choose a word with at least 5-6 letters and write it at the top of your page. Then, see how many other words you can create using the letters in the first word. Here are a few to start with:
    • CORONAVIRUS: con, coo, virus, is, us, on…
    • QUARANTINE: quit, quite, tin, nit, ant, aunt…

Activity: Listen up.

  • What you’ll need: TV show, paper and pen or pencil
  • What to do: Write down three words you think will be repeated frequently on the show you’re about to watch. Then keep a tally of each to see which one is said the most. If you have multiple people, turn it into a competition, with each person choosing the one word they think will be said the most. You can even play with a friend over the phone!

Activity: Create your own puzzle.

  • What you’ll need: A magazine, catalog or newspaper page and scissors.
  • What do do: Cut the page into however many pieces you like – try to keep them around the same size with distinctive shapes. Now, put the pieces of your new jigsaw puzzle back together. You might want to snap a picture of the page before you cut it up in case you need a reference.

Activity: Get crafty.

  • What you’ll need: A piece of paper, scissors, tape or glue and an assortment of magazines, newspapers and catalogs
  • What do do: Create a collage that tells the story of your life, your family, a passion (i.e. animals or gardening) or even your current mood. Browse the magazines and newspapers you have on-hand and cut out pictures and words that tell your story. Arrange what you’ve cut out on your blank paper and glue or tape everything in place to complete your collage. It doesn’t need to be pretty – just enjoy the process.

Activity: Move it.

  • What you’ll need: Non-slip shoes, a chair and a glass of water.
  • What do do: If you can safely exercise without risk of falling or other physical harm, it’s always a good idea to get moving. Physical exercise benefits both your body and your brain. Grab a chair to hang onto for balance and try these simple exercises. Be sure to breathe throughout each exercise and drink plenty of water.
  1. Calf Raises: Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and lift up onto your tip toes. Lower your heels back to the floor and repeat 9 more times.
  2. Hip Extensions: Stand facing your chair and hold onto the back. Keeping your knees straight, extend one leg out away from your body as far as you can until you feel those muscles working. Bring your leg back to standing position and repeat. Start with 5 extensions on each side.
  3. Marching Steps: Turn 90 degrees so your legs are not obstructed by the chair and you can hold onto the chair back with one hand. Alternate bending and lifting your knees to march in place. Do 10 marching steps with each leg.
  4. Heel Kicks: Facing your chair again, kick up one heel toward your behind, so you almost kick yourself. Try to keep your thigh stationary, bending your knee to lift your foot backwards. You should feel this working your hamstring muscles on the back of your thighs. Start with 5 kicks on each side.
  5. Standing Jacks: These are jumping jacks without the jumping! Start with your feet shoulder-width apart and your arms straight by your sides. Bring your arms out to the sides and up until you can clap your hands above your head (or as far as your shoulders will allow), then lower your arms back to your sides and repeat. Do this 10 times.

Here are a few other ideas for entertaining yourself and engaging your brain at home alone…

  • If you have a stash of old board games, try playing Boggle, Scattergories or Jinga solo.
  • Line up a bunch of dominoes about a half inch apart, then tip the first one and see if it takes down the whole train. Start with a straight line, then test your skills with different shapes and letters.
  • Look around your house for simple things to draw – you don’t need skill to enjoy trying!
  • To be a bit more industrious, consider cleaning out your closets and setting aside clothes or other household items you no longer use to donate to charity.

When you’ve done everything on this list, take a well-deserved nap!

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We are offering new Convenience Care services for Atlanta-area residents who are sheltering-in-place during the coronavirus pandemic. Allow us to do your grocery shopping and other errands while you remain in the safety of your home. Click the button or get in touch to learn more.

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