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Reducing Idleness Resources

Feeling bored? Check out these resources to combat idleness and improve your mental health.

HOBBIES

Arts and Crafts

  1. Learn to Knit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_R1UDsNOMk
  2. Printable Coloring Pages for Adults: https://www.justcolor.net/
  3. Make a collage: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0d9G1NgqiGo

Cooking and Baking

  1. Easy Dinner Recipes for Beginner Cooks: https://www.purewow.com/food/easy-dinner-recipes-for-beginners
  2. Recipe to make a strawberry cake: https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/a19624120/homemade-strawberry-cake-recipe/   
  3. Recipe to make pasta salad: https://www.thekitchn.com/easy-pasta-salad-recipe-258379

Exercise

  1. Yoga with Adriene: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLui6Eyny-UzzWwB4h9y7jAzLbeuCUczAl
  2. Intermediate Cardio Workout: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ba3qZjzPonI
  3. 5K run: Training Schedule for Beginners: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/in-depth/5k-run/art-20050962

Creative Writing

  1. Creative writing prompts: https://thinkwritten.com/365-creative-writing-prompts/
  2. Make a blog: https://wordpress.com/create-blog/
  3. 5 Minute Writing Exercise Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdN9RdVuhcs

 

MENTAL HEALTH

Reducing Loneliness

  1. Check out Meetup’s website for online meetups: https://www.meetup.com/
  2. “How to Prevent Social Isolation from Making Loneliness Worse:” https://www.jhsph.edu/covid-19/articles/how-to-prevent-social-isolation-from-making-loneliness-worse.html
  3. “How to Prevent Loneliness in a Time of Social Distancing:” https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-to-prevent-loneliness-in-a-time-of-social-distancing/

Anxiety Reduction Strategies

  1. Free workbook on Anxiety and the Coronavirus: https://lifehacker.com/download-this-free-workbook-on-anxiety-and-the-coronavi-1842886965?utm_campaign=Lifehacker&utm_content=1587048911&utm_medium=SocialMarketing&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwAR02UeO3XB9pIN0T3W_xPmZuVl8bPIDiar7S0WEknGR_R1_Q1LRPfLsJy8s
  2. COVID-19 Anxiety Reduction Strategies from the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA): https://adaa.org/learn-from-us/from-the-experts/blog-posts/consumer/top-ten-covid-19-anxiety-reduction-strategies
  3. University of Michigan’s Relaxation Skills for Anxiety: https://medicine.umich.edu/sites/default/files/content/downloads/Relaxation-Skills-for-Anxiety.pdf

Reducing Depression

  1. Check out this free course from Yale University titled “The Science of Well-Being:” https://www.coursera.org/learn/the-science-of-well-being
  2. Coping skills for depression: https://www.helpguide.org/articles/depression/coping-with-depression.htm
  3. Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA)’s COVID-19 Resources page: https://www.dbsalliance.org/covid-19/

 

FUN

Learn Something New

  1. Learn a new language for free on Duolingo: https://www.duolingo.com/
  2. Find free online courses with Coursera: https://www.coursera.org/
  3. Take a quiz on JetPunk: https://www.jetpunk.com/

The Arts

  1. Nightly opera streams through the Metropolitan Opera: https://www.metopera.org/
  2. Take a virtual museum tour: https://www.travelandleisure.com/attractions/museums-galleries/museums-with-virtual-tours
  3. Watch UMW’s 2020 Zoom performance of Much Ado About Nothing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5VA6JgHy_4&t=2099s

Music Playlists

  1. Check out these Spotify workout playlists: https://www.self.com/story/top-workout-playlists-according-to-spotify
  2. Calming music playlist on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2EXP6pCDBdF4yRj2LZ6xFr
  3. Visit Pandora’s website for radio stations and playlists: https://www.pandora.com/

Movies as Recommended by TCCS Staff

    1. The Princess Bride (1987)
    2. Soapdish (1991)
    3. Inside Out (2015)
    4. Shrek (2001)
    5. Clueless (1995)
    6. Knives Out (2019)
    7. The Incredibles (2004)

To see each Talley Center staff member’s personal favorite movie list, please see their Staff Bio by visiting our “Meet Our Team” page. 

 

WELL-BEING

Mindfulness

  1. Article with information about free mindfulness apps: https://www.mindful.org/free-mindfulness-apps-worthy-of-your-attention/
  2. Mindfulness meditation on “letting go:” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syx3a1_LeFo

Relaxation Exercises

  1. Progressive muscle relaxation for management of anxiety and stress: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6053dnI4Rxg
  2. YOGA NIDRA: Divine Sleep Yoga Nidra: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfIikxpis9s
  3. Visit Meditainment for guided meditations: https://www.meditainment.com/
  4. Relaxation techniques: https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/relaxation-techniques-for-health

Guided Imagery

  1. What is guided imagery? https://www.headspace.com/meditation/guided-imagery
  2. Guided imagery meditation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgSbF_xH9LU

Outdoor Activities

  1. Mindful walking: https://www.headspace.com/blog/2014/11/19/walk-into-a-mindful-moment/
  2. Gardening for Beginners: https://commonsensehome.com/start-a-garden/

How to Hack into Your Own Nervous System

  1. Vagus Nerve to Reduce Anxiety and Depression: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-athletes-way/201705/vagus-nerve-survival-guide-combat-fight-or-flight-urges

Sleep

  1. What to do when you can’t sleep: https://www.sleepfoundation.org/insomnia/treatment/what-do-when-you-cant-sleep

Location and Contact

Lee Hall Room 106 and Tyler House

Phone: (540) 654-1053

Fax: (540) 654-1711

Hours of Operation

The Talley Center is available to schedule appointments from 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. Monday-Friday

*The counseling center is closed when the University is closed. Information regarding closing due to inclement weather can be obtained by calling (540) 654-2424.