LIFESTYLE NEWS - Because of the lockdown from midnight,Thursday 26 March, to midnight, Thursday 16 April, South Africans will find themselves confined to their homes for 21 days, except for going out to buy food, pick up a social grant, receive medical care or collect medication.
One of the questions you may be asking yourself is: "What will I do with myself for the next three weeks?"
While the first few days might seem like a blissful, state-imposed holiday, you might soon find boredom setting in as you search for things to do to keep yourself occupied.
A few ideas are:
Finish all the chores and projects around the house you've been putting off doing because of the age-old excuse, "I just don't have the time." Well, thanks to the Coronavirus, you now have lots of free time.
Fix that squeaky hinge, the door handle that needs to be twisted just right to open and close smoothly or that drawer that always sticks.
Pick up that old hobby you started but later let slide.
Knitting, painting, scrapbooking and all the other creative pursuits you might have let fall by the wayside during the course of your hectic life are all things you can take up again during this time. Not only will they help relieve boredom and stress, you will have a tangible souvenir after your efforts.
Try something new. In the last few days before the lockdown was announced and rumours were swirling that one might be imminent, my older sister decided that if we were going to be stuck in the house she was going to do something that would keep her hands busy and got the bright idea to start a garden.
She roped me into her plan and out we ventured to buy seeds.
Whether the garden is a success or not is not the point. The point is she will be trying something she never has before; she will spend time outside when we might be inclined to be glued to the couch and no matter the results, will be able to say, "Well, at least I tried."
Learn new recipes. As the lockdown will likely mean we will all be going to the shops less often, you might find yourself at a loss at what to make with the odds and ends left in your fridge and pantry.
Well, necessity is the mother of invention and as a vegetarian myself I can tell you that the pantry staples of beans and lentils, vegetables that can be found in many a fridge such as sweet potatoes or broccoli and basic spices, can make nutritious, tasty meals.
Experiment and search the internet for recipe ideas that can expand your cooking repertoire.
Perhaps for some the most difficult one of all: meet your fitness goals. We all know the health benefits of exercise and just because the gyms are closed does not mean you can't get fit and strong at home.
A simple search on your cellphone for fitness apps will show a variety of apps, many of them free, that will help you reach your fitness goal with no equipment necessary.
Finally, take advantage of this time to bond with your loved ones. In our hectic modern lives we often start to live past one another, caught up in all the work we have to do. This is a chance to reconnect with the ones you love and to appreciate your blessings.
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