Dxbuzz: Beat the blues

As a measure to protect yourself and others during an outbreak, experts advise that people self-isolate. Being stuck at home can be boring if you don't know how to stay engaged. Below we share our tips and tricks to keep yourself healthy, informed and connected throughout this time:

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Published: Tue 31 Mar 2020, 10:09 AM

Last updated: Tue 31 Mar 2020, 2:31 PM

Reconnect
The hustle and bustle of everyday life can put family time or catching up with friends on the back burner. Take this time out to check up on how near and dear ones are doing and to reconnect with old friends with a phone call.
Learn something new
This is the perfect time to brush up on skills, learn a language or take an online course or two. Log on to websites like coursera.org and edx.org, download mobile apps like 'Duolingo' to find thousands of free online courses on most topics under the sun.
Meal planning
If you've been depending on take-out for a while now, use your time at home to research and figure out a few dishes that you like, are easy to prepare and have high nutritional content. Incorporate this research into a meal plan that will come in handy to plan out nutritious meals after work-from-home days!
Spring clean
Try decluttering your entire space for a pleasant atmosphere to work and lounge in. Try the popular decluttering method developed by Marie Kondo and see your space transform into the ultimate minimalist haven.
Read more
The time you save commuting to and from work can go into ticking books off your reading list! If you don't have one, curate a list with a mix of genres, from fiction to self-help books. A Kindle is a great option to conveniently store and access multiple books in one handy device. For those who would rather listen to a story while engaging in other tasks, audio books are your friend.
Watch
Binge-watch shows and series on Netflix or Amazon Prime, have a movie marathon or watch one of the many free virtual concerts that celebrities are now putting up online for fans. To keep up to date with world events, watch the news or related debates for a different perspective on issues. Another genre to consider are documentaries; these range from biographies to true crime.
If you're into stand-up comedy and political satires, there are quite a few good ones out on Netflix now. Below are some of our favourites:
Hasan Minhaj - Patriot Act and Homecoming King
Trevor Noah - The Daily Show and Afraid of the Dark
John Mulaney - Kid Gorgeous at Radio City
Here are our top three TV shows to check out on Netflix and Amazon Prime are:
- Suits
Set in a law firm in New York, the show follows a series of enthralling fictional legal cases intertwined with the private lives of lawyers Harvey Specter, Mike Ross, Rachel Zane and Jessica Pearson, played by Gabriel Macht, Patrick J. Adams, Meghan Markle and Gina Torres., respectively.
- Brooklyn Nine-Nine
A detective so good he's never had to follow the rules closely, but Jake Peralta (Andy Samberg), reigning cop of his department, must now go head-to-head with his new commanding officer, Captain Ray Holt (Andre Braugher). The series is packed with comedy, and its eight seasons are guaranteed to keep you entertained.
- The Office
Missing your workplace? The Office is sure to bring you right back in the best way. Featuring a group of office workers, be sure to catch every side eye, ego clash and tedium that you would find at the typical workplace.
Practise mindfulness
Practising mindfulness can help ease the anxiety and uncertainty that come with these testing times. Learn to practice yoga and meditation, or simply take a moment to appreciate you and loved ones, those who are affected by the situation, frontline health and sanitation staff, and the leaders of the nation, who are working hard to keep our communities safe.


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