Psy.D.

Let’s Get Creative!

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The importance of managing one's mental health and staying socially connected during this uncertain time

can't be stressed enough.  Below is a list of creative ideas to stay active, engaged and emotionally healthy. 

These are just a few ideas and there are a lot of very creative people who will have many more.  Please feel

free to send in your suggestions using my contact form and I will regularly update this list. 

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• Download Zoom and host a virtual dinner party.

• Use Face Time/Skype to have a virtual coffee date or drinks with friends

• Challenge friends at a distance with online games like Words with Friends, checkers, Boggle, or Trivia.

• Start a neighborhood art stroll by asking your community to post children’s and adults artwork        in the window for people to view on their walks. 

• Play old fashioned games such as charades, Pictionary, hide and seek etc.

• Bake something yummy, either an old classic or try something new.

• Do a camp-out in your own backyard.

• Bedtime stories with Grandma and Grandpa from a distance using FaceTime/Skype.

• Puzzles, crosswords, Sudoku.

• Make slime or playdough.

• Take a virtual tour of museums around the world  Google Arts & Culture.

• De-stress with an at home workout – local studios are starting to stream classes and you can        find a gazillion workout videos on YouTube.  Try looking for something different such as             yoga for kids, gentle stretching, workouts for those over fifty, or chair workouts for the elderly.  

• Have a picnic in your living room while supporting local restaurants by picking up food or      getting take-out.

• Host an online concert or jam session.

• Deep clean - pick one room a day, get the family together, put on some music and dive in.   

• Get crafty – make bath bombs, sugar scrubs, fishbowl terrariums, etc (have supplies delivered    from sources like Amazon). 

• Read a good book.

• Start on spring cleaning. 

• Host an online slam poetry session.  

• Make on online photobook.

• Do gardening or yard work. 

• Listen to a new podcast.  Choose a mystery, something inspirational or learn something new.

• Take a free class from an Ivy League school such as those from ClassCentral.com, or other              on-line sites or apps.

• In some communities municipal or private golf courses and tennis courts remain open.  Get        your game on while observing your 6 - foot distance from others. 

• Go to your local high school and use the track to run or have the kids scooter or ride their bikes. 

• Throw the frisbee, play Spikeball, cornhole or basketball in the backyard/driveway.

• Send a thank you text/note to a healthcare worker or first line responder.

• Donate money to a trusted charity.

• Send funny memes to friends and loved ones.

• Post samples of your artwork, baked good, craft projects, recipes etc. on social media.

• As a family watch old favorites together like Harry Potter, Indiana Jones, Shrek, etc.

• Share stories of random acts of kindness on social media. 

• Use Duolingo app to practice or learn a second language.

• Watch adorable animal livestreams like:  ​