5 Fun Things To Do When Self-Isolating

We can’t provide a coronavirus cure. But, we can provide some top tips to help you have a jolly good time whilst self-isolating.

So, whether you’re a student with no lectures to attend or you’re just working from home, dive right into our top 5 fun things to do from the comfort of your own home.

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1. Spruce up your living space

With so much free time on your hands and so much of it spent indoors, could there be a better time to refocus your energies on your living space?

If you’re feeling dangerous, give your dreary walls a fresh lick of paint. Rumour has it that ‘pink chiffon’ is this season’s must-have colour.

Wall painting is pretty inexpensive too. Just grab a tub of paint and a roller (or a paintbrush if you really want to kill some time). The best bit? It’s pretty easy to do.

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Don’t fancy the mess of painting, but still feel like ‘mess’ is a problem?

In that case, pop on your marigolds, grab a duster and whack out the vacuum cleaner from its cupboard. It’s time to get your Mrs Hinch on.

Conveniently, cleaning is also a great way to prevent the spread of disease. Sprucing up your living environment isn’t just a way to pass the time too, it’s scientifically proven to have positive effects on your mental health.

Giving your home a scrub and redecorating helps you regain a sense of control over your environment and can boost overall satisfaction.

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2. Host a concert in your kitchen

We know what you’re all thinking. How will I survive the Pussycat Dolls reunion tour being cancelled this summer? Yes, it’s certainly a tragedy. But, there’s no reason why you can’t still attend your own sold-out musical extravaganza. You better start planning.

Firstly, decide on a theme. Perhaps a Jazz Soiree or 80’s Disco Bangers Night?

Once you’ve settled on a theme, it’s time to compile a playlist. Need some inspiration? We’ve taken a sample from a ‘2000’s R&B Club Night’ playlist, that Louise from the RateMyPlacement office compiled. See below.

• Say My Name – Destiny’s Child
• Foolish – Ashanti
• Smack That – Akon ft. Eminem
• Kiss Me Thru the Phone – Soulja Boy
• Dilemma – Nelly ft. Kelly Rowland
• Fill Me In – Craig David  
• Rock the Boat – Aaliyah  
• My Boo – Usher, Alicia Keys 

Once you’ve got your playlist sorted, you’ll need to plan your outfit. Of course, it has to be in accordance with your theme… otherwise, what’s the point?

Don’t forget to decorate the kitchen and be generous with the snacks.

The final thing – dial in your friends via video call – share the fun!

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3. Whip up a three-course meal

Just because restaurants may be closing, it doesn’t mean you should go without. Whipping up scrumptious dishes in the kitchen is a great way to spend your time. Plus, you’ll need all that nutritional energy for when you’re busting out choreography at your concert.

Not quite a Michelin star chef? Not to worry. There are literally millions of recipes online for everything from beans on toast to puy lentil salad with foie gras shavings and smoked duck breast. Like we said… something for everyone.

Self-isolating with a partner or friend? Why not make a date night of it?

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As you might have noticed, we love a themed activity. So for an extra challenge, try to align your starter, main and dessert via a consistent theme. You could even play music consistent with your menu and dress appropriately to really get into the spirit of things.

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4. Take a free online course

Ever wondered what it would be like to study at Harvard or Yale University? Well, wonder no more. You can now take over 500 Ivy League courses online. And, you don’t need to pay a single penny!

With plenty of time on your hands, these short self-paced courses are a great way to keep your mind healthy and energised. They also vary in length and intensity, depending on how much you want to invest in them.

That means you’ll be sure to find something that fits around your schedule. 

Just some of the fascinating courses on offer include: 

• The Science of Well-Being
• Pyramids of Giza: Ancient Egyptian Art and Archaeology
• China’s First Empires and the Rise of Buddhism
• The Age of Sustainable Development
• Sharks!

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5. Enjoy a movie marathon

A pandemic. It’s the perfect excuse to order a takeaway, get under the duvets and binge-watch your fave chick flicks. Now that you can’t get to the gym, you can do it without the guilt too. Win-win right?

With so many gripping shows out there at the moment, it’s a great time to sit back and enjoy a night (or many) watching your favourite films and television shows.

Home alone? Well, that’s no excuse to binge-watch by yourself. You can now host remote Netflix parties! That means watching all the good stuff with your mates but from the comfort of your bed. 

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Need some inspiration? Find out what the RateMyPlacement team are watching right now:

• WWII In Colour (Netflix Series) – suggested by Conor, Senior Content Writer 
• Noughts & Crosses (BBC) – suggested by Nisha, Marketing Manager
• Love Is Blind (Netflix Series) – suggested by Sophie, Head of Customer Success
• ​Great British Menu (BBC) – suggested by Ruby, Talent Manager
• The Boys (Amazon Prime Series) – suggested by Shoaib, Marketing Assistant 
• Altered Carbon (Netflix Series) – suggested by Josh, Digital Marketing Manager
• Gossip Girl (Netflix Series) – suggested by Sarah, Customer Success Manager
• Elite (Netflix Series) – suggested by Eve, Creative
• Queen of the South (Netflix Series) – suggested by Jo, Senior Account Manager

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That’s five things you can do to keep yourself entertained. We hope that by giving you some fun things to do in such a time of uncertainty, you can keep your spirits up and still have a good time.

All that’s left to say is… happy painting, dancing, cooking, learning and binge-watching!

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