Getting through isolation during the Covid-19 level 4 alert can be tiresome, with one day blending into the next, it’s easy to lose motivation and slip into laziness. While it is important to keep some routine, now is also a great opportunity to do all of those things ‘you just haven’t had time for’ - get creative, work out, invest some time in those friends that you’ve been meaning to reach out to.

We’ve put together a few tips and activities for you and your bubble to try out while you’re safe at home.

1. Learn a new language. Just 15 minutes a day could have you well on the way to learning a new language with Apps such as Duolingo and Babbel.
2. Have a ‘virtual party’ with your friends and family. There are plenty of video calling apps around - Facebook messenger, Skype, Zoom, or even House Party if you want to play a game remotely too.
3. Explore some new recipes. Wanting some celebrity inspiration? Tune in to celebrity chef Nadia Lim’s new cooking show ‘Nadia’s Comfort Kitchen’. Or dust off the old cookbooks and try make something you haven’t cooked before! There are some great recipe ideas on Foodinaminute. And if you don’t want to make the trip to the supermarket, go on to food directory websites such as Delivereat to find everything you need.
4. Camp out in the backyard. Ok, so it might be a bit cold to actually sleep outside in a tent, but there’s nothing to stop you cranking out the gas stove and having an evening camping experience. Dinner alfresco, followed by a game of spotlight for the kids. You can even leave the tents set up in the backyard so the kids have another space to play during the day.
5. Go on a virtual tour. Travel, from the comfort of your own home. Loads of museums, art galleries, theme parks and even zoo’s are offering free virtual tours, check out some options here.
6. Take a quiz. There’s loads of quizzes out there, but for guaranteed quality, check out the daily Stuff Quiz.
7. Work out your bucket list. There’s no better time then right now to think about what you want to achieve most, whether it be climbing Mt Everest, or eating an Oyster in Bluff, write a bucket list that you can work on ticking off later.
8. Play charades. There’s nothing like an old-fashioned game of charades. You can even go tech with this charades idea generator.
9. Build a blanket fort. Who doesn’t love a blanket fort, what better way to spend a day inside a house you built, well, in your house! Get the kids’ sheets and duvets, every chair in the house and the clotheshorse and you’re ready to build your palace!
10. Crack into a word find, sudoku or crossword. If you don’t have any laying around the house or in the back of a magazine, visit lovatts puzzles to get your fix.

11. Set up a scavenger hunt. Who said scavenger hunts are just for the Easter Bunny? Use items from around your home to hide, write some clues and your good to go! Here’s some clue inspo.

12. Watch some live animal webcams. How about going to the zoo, but from your own home? Check out these live animal webcams. Or for something a little closer to home, you can watch the webcams at Auckland Zoo here.

This unusual time can be a great opportunity for you to connect with your friends and family even more, refocus your energy on what really matters to you and take some time out to refresh your mind, body and soul. Remember to keep smiling – we will get through this.