Feeling bored? Check out these resources to combat idleness and improve your mental health.
HOBBIES
Arts and Crafts
- Learn to Knit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_R1UDsNOMk
- Printable Coloring Pages for Adults: https://www.justcolor.net/
- Make a collage: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0d9G1NgqiGo
Cooking and Baking
- Easy Dinner Recipes for Beginner Cooks: https://www.purewow.com/food/easy-dinner-recipes-for-beginners
- Recipe to make a strawberry cake: https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/a19624120/homemade-strawberry-cake-recipe/
- Recipe to make pasta salad: https://www.thekitchn.com/easy-pasta-salad-recipe-258379
Exercise
- Yoga with Adriene: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLui6Eyny-UzzWwB4h9y7jAzLbeuCUczAl
- Intermediate Cardio Workout: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ba3qZjzPonI
- 5K run: Training Schedule for Beginners: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/in-depth/5k-run/art-20050962
Creative Writing
- Creative writing prompts: https://thinkwritten.com/365-creative-writing-prompts/
- Make a blog: https://wordpress.com/create-blog/
- 5 Minute Writing Exercise Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdN9RdVuhcs
MENTAL HEALTH
Reducing Loneliness
- Check out Meetup’s website for online meetups: https://www.meetup.com/
- “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
- “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
- 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
- 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
- University of Michigan’s Relaxation Skills for Anxiety: https://medicine.umich.edu/sites/default/files/content/downloads/Relaxation-Skills-for-Anxiety.pdf
Reducing Depression
- Check out this free course from Yale University titled “The Science of Well-Being:” https://www.coursera.org/learn/the-science-of-well-being
- Coping skills for depression: https://www.helpguide.org/articles/depression/coping-with-depression.htm
- Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA)’s COVID-19 Resources page: https://www.dbsalliance.org/covid-19/
FUN
Learn Something New
- Learn a new language for free on Duolingo: https://www.duolingo.com/
- Find free online courses with Coursera: https://www.coursera.org/
- Take a quiz on JetPunk: https://www.jetpunk.com/
The Arts
- Nightly opera streams through the Metropolitan Opera: https://www.metopera.org/
- Take a virtual museum tour: https://www.travelandleisure.com/attractions/museums-galleries/museums-with-virtual-tours
- Watch UMW’s 2020 Zoom performance of Much Ado About Nothing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5VA6JgHy_4&t=2099s
Music Playlists
- Check out these Spotify workout playlists: https://www.self.com/story/top-workout-playlists-according-to-spotify
- Calming music playlist on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2EXP6pCDBdF4yRj2LZ6xFr
- Visit Pandora’s website for radio stations and playlists: https://www.pandora.com/
Movies as Recommended by TCCS Staff
-
- The Princess Bride (1987)
- Soapdish (1991)
- Inside Out (2015)
- Shrek (2001)
- Clueless (1995)
- Knives Out (2019)
- 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
- Article with information about free mindfulness apps: https://www.mindful.org/free-mindfulness-apps-worthy-of-your-attention/
- Mindfulness meditation on “letting go:” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syx3a1_LeFo
Relaxation Exercises
- Progressive muscle relaxation for management of anxiety and stress: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6053dnI4Rxg
- YOGA NIDRA: Divine Sleep Yoga Nidra: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfIikxpis9s
- Visit Meditainment for guided meditations: https://www.meditainment.com/
- Relaxation techniques: https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/relaxation-techniques-for-health
Guided Imagery
- What is guided imagery? https://www.headspace.com/meditation/guided-imagery
- Guided imagery meditation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgSbF_xH9LU
Outdoor Activities
- Mindful walking: https://www.headspace.com/blog/2014/11/19/walk-into-a-mindful-moment/
- Gardening for Beginners: https://commonsensehome.com/start-a-garden/
How to Hack into Your Own Nervous System
- 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
- What to do when you can’t sleep: https://www.sleepfoundation.org/insomnia/treatment/what-do-when-you-cant-sleep