Things to do if you’re Staying at Home, or Self-Isolating

Social Isolation is a daunting prospect for anyone and looking after your mental health should be a priority.

Limit the news and be careful what you read. Have a break from social media and things that can trigger negative thoughts. Remember for every news story you hear about people  watching Coronavirus all over the world, people are also recovering every day too.

Take a look at the support that Age UK Southampton is providing during the Coronavirus crisis

In these uncertain times its wonderful to see that everyone is coming together and sharing news and information about how to keep busy whilst staying at home safe and self-isolating.

We have collected a few hidden gems online to help entertain you and keep you well whilst safe at home.

Exercise at Home

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Patient offers some excellent advice on how to exercise at home and also on how to stay healthy whilst working at home

Zoos & Aquariums streaming live online!

• Edinburgh Zoo offers live webcams of Tigers, Koalas, Penguins, Pandas and more!

• The Dublin Zoo has live webcams of the African Savannah, Penguins and Elephants.

• To see animals in their natural habitat, explore.org offers live webcams of African Wildlife and more.

• Monterey Bay Aquarium and The Georgia Aquarium also offer live cams of their aquariums.

Museums across the world that you can visit from your own home!

The British Museum, London takes you through a timeline of events in history and talks you through various virtual exhibits. A Google Street view version like the above is also available here

The Louvre - offering virtual tours across the museum

Courtesy of Google Arts & Culture you can experience a Street View-esque walks around places such as the Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam and The Metropolitan Museum of Art 

Books and Reading 

You can download ebooks and audiobooks for free from Southampton Libraries as well as get access to magazines and newspapers.  Don’t worry if you are not a member as you can join online

Amazon also has a selection of free books you can download. You will need to have a kindle or the kindle reading app to access them.

Also, you can access a free 30 day trial of Audible which enables you to download 2 free audiobooks.

Hay Festival Digital brings writers and readers together online, and runs 22–31 May 2020. It will feature free live broadcasts and interactive Q&As from over 100 of the world's greatest writers.

Theatre

Chichester Festival Theatre has a variety of free performances you can watch as well as some creative activities to get involved in. Most recordings are captioned for D/deaf audiences and they have an audio introduction for blind and visually impaired audience members.

The National Theatre has been streaming some performances online and also hosts a monthly quiz on Facebook or Youtube featuring quizmasters Dame Helen Mirren, Sir Lenny Henry, Lesley Manville and Sir Ian McKellen.

Cirque du Soleil has been putting some of their spectacular hour-long free shows on its YouTube channel to amaze and entertain.

Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre will have around 40 free shows over the next month, including Romeo and Juliet, and Hamlet. 

Gardens

The RHS Chelsea Flower Show is going digital this year with videos and inspirational articles from regular Chelsea exhibitors.

Kew Gardens have a virtual tour where you can roam the gardens from the comfort of your home.

You can also take a virtual tour of National Trust Gardens, properties, and collections.