• Healthy State
  • Careers
  • Education
  • Research
  • Giving
Ochsner Health Ochsner Health
  • About
  • Find A Doctor (current)
  • Find A Location
  • Specialties & Treatments
MyOchsner Logo
Login | Signup
Submit Search
Close Search
  •   Home
  • In To Your Health...
  • Food & Fitness
  • Conditions & Treatment
  • Health Trends
  • Prevention & Wellness
  • Women's Health
  • Men's Health
  • Mental Health
  • Parenting
  • I need to...
  • Find a Doctor
  • Find a Location
  • Find a Specialty
  • Schedule an Appointment
  • Pay a Bill
  • Explore
  • About Ochsner
  • Careers
  • Patients & Visitors
  • "To Your Health" Blog
  • Health Resources
  • Medical Professionals
  • Education
  • Philanthropy
  • Community Outreach
  • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
  • Research
  • Ochsner Health Network
  • Schedule an Appointment
  • Call: 1-866-624-7637
  • Online: Login to MyOchsner
  • Personalize your content
  • patient Edit Persona Persona Chooser
To Your Health

View Newsletter Editions
  • Food & Fitness
  • Conditions & Treatment
  • Health Trends
  • Prevention & Wellness
  • Women's Health
  • Men's Health
  • Mental Health
  • Parenting
Woman cooking at home

Hobbies to Take Up During Quarantine

Mar 17, 2020 |
By Dean A. Hickman, MD
Share Facebook Logo Twitter Logo Pinterest Logo Email Logo

As the number of coronavirus cases continues to grow across the United States, it is becoming increasingly more important to take protective and preventative measures to reduce the spread of the virus, which include practicing self-quarantine and/or extreme social distancing.

But going into quarantine doesn’t have to be all doom and gloom, nor does it mean you have to lose contact with the world. In fact, it can be a time to revisit those New Year’s resolutions and finally get around to picking up a hobby or learning something new.

Read on for a few recommendations on quarantine-friendly hobbies.

Exercise

It’s essential to keep yourself healthy (both mentally and physically) during a quarantine, and exercise is a great way to do so.

Work out from the comfort of your living room by taking advantage of online workouts. Ochsner Fitness Center will soon be presenting online fitness sessions you can do from home. Other online options include 7M Fitness or Nike Training Club. There is a never-ending library of free classes on YouTube – ranging from intense cardio routines to relaxing yoga sessions, and some instructors are even live-streaming their classes from home.

If you are not in isolation, go for a walk or run outside, while keeping at least 6 feet of distance between yourself and others.

Read

Of all the hobbies you can pick up, reading is certainly one of the easiest and most accessible.

Reading is also a therapeutic form of escapism that helps the reader to disengage for a while, which is certainly something we could all use a healthy dose of right now.

Don’t know where to start? Check out this list of the best novels of the decade to see if something piques your interest. While you’re at it, consider joining an online book club or starting one among your friends.

Travel (virtually)

Just because discretionary travel is discouraged and much of the world is closed for business doesn’t mean you can’t satisfy your wanderlust. Avoid the long lines, jet lag and even the need for a passport; take a trip right from your laptop via the following virtual tours.

New York City, New York: Stop by the American Museum of Natural History to check out some of the greatest discoveries and artifacts housed at the museum.

Paris, France: Meander through the halls of The Louvre, where you can soak up centuries of art and culture.

Mount Vernon, Virginia: Explore George Washington’s family homeon a tour of the iconic grounds.

Wiltshire, England: Take an interactive tour of Stonehengeand learn more about the latest research on one of the world’s most famous prehistoric monuments.

Washington, D.C.: Get up close and personal with T-Rex, see the world-famous Hope Diamond and come face-to-face with Egyptian mummies at the Natural History Museum.

Cusco, Peru: Explore the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu and wonder at stunning vistas of the mist-shrouded Andes Mountains.

For the latest updates on COVID-19, visit Ochsner.org/coronavirus.

Learn a language

Learning a new language can enrich your life in countless ways, and it doesn’t have to be intimidating or expensive. There are some great free online resources ranging from beginner and intro-level classes to conversational courses, to comprehensive ones that will have you fluent in no time.

Language experts agree that the best way to really get a grasp on a new language is going at it 100% for a particular time period, even if it’s only one or two weeks, meaning your quarantine presents a great opportunity for learning this skill the right way.

Get Crafty

Crafts can help pass the time, especially with children. For inspiration, browse this list for projects that can be crafted from everyday household items.

Cook

For those with busy schedules, cooking homemade meals is a task that’s often put on the back burner (no pun intended.) But having some extra time at home presents an opportunity to explore learning new dishes you’ve always wanted to get around to trying.

For healthy options, check out the EatFit Cookbook. (The Peanut Butter Cups are the perfect comfort food!)

Another option to consider are meal subscription boxes which provide you with all the ingredients you need (meaning you don’t even need to leave your house) and the recipes for your selected dishes. Popular services are HelloFresh, Blue Apron and Marley Spoon.

Learn a new skill

There’s a seemingly infinite number of online classes on websites like edXor Skillshare. Whether you’re looking to pick up needlepoint, learn coding or become a pro at interior design, there’s truly something for everyone!

Get musical

Concerts around the world have been canceled or postponed in the wake of COVID-19, but the show will still go on for a number of artists.

John Legend, Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, Katharine McPhee, Keith Urban and David Foster, among others, are streaming performances to fans live and for free from their own homes. Get a full list of live virtual concerts here.

Similarly, the New York Metropolitan Opera will stream operas for free via its website, while the Berliner Philharmonkier Digital Concert Hall has waived its membership fee to offer digital access to its archive of concerts to the public through March.

Tags
hobbies
quarantine
coronavirus

You may also be interested in:

Grocery shopping
Prevention & Wellness
September 4, 2020

How to Stock Your Home for Quarantine

During a health-related event, such as coronavirus, we are encouraged to compile a reserve of products in order to create social distancing, not because there is a shortage expected.
By Katherine Baumgarten, MD
Vegetables
Food & Fitness
September 4, 2020

7 Tips for Eating Healthy During a Coronavirus Quarantine

If you’re quarantined at home, it’s important to eat healthy foods. You can get creative if you’re feeling well. Keep it simple if you’re not.
By Molly Kimball, RD, CSSD
Man Looking at C Omputer
Prevention & Wellness
December 28, 2021

5 Things You Should Know About Coronavirus

As the CDC continues to update information, here are five basics facts you should know about COVID-19.
By Katherine Baumgarten, MD

Comments about the blog? Send us an email!

Ochsner Health Ochsner Health
Schedule An Appointment: 1-866-624-7637
Follow us: Facebook Visit Ochsner Health on Facebook Twitter Follow Ochsner Health on Twitter LinkedIn Visit Ochsner Health's LinkedIn page Instagram Follow Ochsner Health on Instagram YouTube Subscribe to Ochsner Health on YouTube Pinterest Follow Ochsner Health on Pinterest TikTok Follow Ochsner Health on TikTok
Sign up for our free health and wellness newsletters delivered straight to your inbox.
SIGN UP

Patients & Visitors

  • Billing & Financial Services
  • Insurance Information
  • International Patients
  • Request Medical Records
  • Share Your Story
  • Read Patient Stories

Medical Professionals

  • Transfer a Patient
  • Refer a Patient

Health Resources

  • To Your Health Blog
  • Golden Opportunity
  • Healthy State
  • Ochsner Magazine

Job Seekers

  • Career Paths
  • Benefits
  • Open Positions

Employees

  • Webmail
  • OHSLink
  • Workday

Employers

  • Corporate Wellness
  • Medicare Advantage Plans

Community Outreach

  • Classes & Events
  • Programs
  • Community Health Needs Assessment
  • Dr. John Ochsner Discovery Health Sciences Academy

Education

  • Graduate Medical Education
  • Clinical Medical Education
  • Continuing Medical Education
  • Medical Library
  • Publishing Services
  • Medical Illustrations

Research

  • Clinical Trials
  • Applied Health Services Research
  • Clinical Research & Trials
  • Nursing Research
  • Translational Research

Giving

  • Donate
  • Volunteer

About Ochsner

  • Mission & Vision
  • History
  • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
  • Annual Report
  • Outcomes & Honors
  • News & Media
  • Alumni
  • Ochsner Health Network
  • Contact Us

Shop

  • O Bar
  • Optical Shop
  • Ochsner Fitness Center
  • Brent House Hotel

© Ochsner Health  | Notice of Privacy Practices | Terms of Use | Vendor Information

Ochsner accepts all major insurances.

Ochsner is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization, founded on providing the best patient care, research, and education.

We are one of the country’s largest non-university based academic medical centers.

Ochsner is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, disability or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

Community Needs Health Assessment

EpicMobile Tablet | EpicMobile Phone

Subscribe to Our Newsletters

Select the newsletters you'd like to receive.

Please select at least one category to continue.

Curious about our newsletters?

View details for each edition

Let us know where to send your newsletters.

To Your Health- Food and Fitness:
To Your Health- General:
To Your Health- Men’s Health:
To Your Health- Parenting:
To Your Health- Women’s Health:
To Your Health-Mental Health Monthly":
To Your Health- Skin Deep:

Source:
Source Description:
Marketing Goal:

You're all set!

We’ll send newsletters full of healthy living tips right to your inbox.

Ochsner Health System
ESC to Close

Begin Typing to Search

Select the drop-down to filter Search by Blog Articles or Sitewide