Education and learning
Learn at Home (Ontario Ministry of Education): Find supplementary resources for elementary and secondary students to practice math and literacy skills and learn at home
Overdrive: collection of free eBooks and audiobooks
Overdrive for Hamilton Public Library: borrow audio books and eBooks from Hamilton Public Library
Libby: free app that allows you to download ebooks and audiobooks to your tablet
Coursera: hundreds of free university courses with on-demand video lectures
Mind Control: Managing Your Mental Health during COVID-19: a free course from the University of Toronto and Coursera
Free Code Camp: free online Ivy League Courses
Khan Academy: a nonprofit organization with the mission to provide a free, world-class education for anyone, anywhere
Khan Academy Kids: educational resource, mobile and computer app for kids
Great Courses plus: focused on lifelong learning and personal enrichment
TED Talks: a nonprofit devoted to spreading ideas, usually in the form of short, powerful talks
Duolingo: fun and interactive way to learn a new language
Physical activity and exercise
Yoga with Adrienne: a free 30 day Yoga program
DownDog: yoga app that is free until May 1
Fitness Blender: free workout videos that vary from beginner to experienced, with or without equipment
Heart and Soul Fitness: free individual workouts and complete programs for all skill and fitness levels
Heather Robertson Fitness: individual workouts and a 12 week total fitness program
Thinking about how to structure your day
Keep a regular wake and sleep time: try to wake up and go to sleep at roughly the same time each day
Attend to your personal hygiene: if you are well enough to do so, get dressed and shower each day as this will provide a sense of normalcy
Spread things out: whether it is exercise, mindfulness activities, relaxation techniques, reading or personal projects, do things for shorter periods 2-3 times per day. This will help create a sense of novelty throughout your day, a necessary but rare commodity when self-isolating or in quarantine. Also, if you are trying to gain a new skill, it will help you see improvement more easily
Go outside every day (if possible and safe): even if it’s just on your balcony or porch, and it’s only for 5-10 minutes, go outside and get some fresh air. If you can, go for a walk each day while being mindful of social distancing (i.e. keep 2m between you and others at all times)
Maintain work boundaries: if working from home, keep it 9-5 or whatever schedule works for you.Take a lunch break and other short coffee breaks just like you would if in the office/at work.
Move throughout your space: while this is easier for house dwellers, even those in apartments you can create separate spaces for activities. You can work in your dining area/kitchen, exercise in your living room, read in your bedroom, practice deep breathing on your balcony. This will help reinforce the structure you have created and make your space feel maximized
Maintain a balanced diet: you have the time to research and make well balanced meals. Cooking each will provide you a focused activity and help improve your mental and physical health.
Other activities and tips
50 ways to stay mentally healthy while social distancing from the Canadian Mental Health Association (Hamilton)
Fun Activities Catalogue from Centre for Clinical Interventions (Perth, AU)
Other ideas:
Do a puzzle
Write someone a letter
Take a bubble bath
Clear out unneeded files/papers/documentation
Update your resume
Write a list of all the things you like about yourself
Do some spring cleaning
Clean out your email inbox
Rearrange furniture
Write a letter to your future self
Cook a new meal / dish
Organize your clothes/closet, prepare items to donate
Download a new app (Calm, TableTop Simulator (games), Plant Nanny, Picture This, Colorfy, Draw with Friends, Words with Friends)
Meditate
Take a long shower of various temperatures
Listen to your 3 favourite albums / watch your 3 favourite movies
Write a short story about a positive event in your life
Work on your bike / car / other transportation
Plan your retirement
Doodle / draw / paint
Sing and dance to a music video
Play a musical instrument
Read a book
Play with your pets
Go for a drive
Finish a project that you started a while ago
Go for a walk and take pictures of 5 things you find beautiful or interesting
Write out a meal plan / diet
Learn how to play a card game
Do some riddles
Get / give a massage
Do a woodworking project
Write out two sides to a debate