No matter where you are in the world right now, this week has probably felt like an entire year – and its only Wednesday! For various reasons, James and I have decided to self-isolate for the foreseeable future and are in perfectly good health as we both work from home. This is no drastic lifestyle change for me as my office door is less than a metre from my bedroom(!) but, for many people, the idea of being stuck indoors for a while can be quite daunting. With that in mind, here’s a list of fun things to do at home during self-isolation to keep you stimulated and get you through these unprecedented times…

Self-isolation suggestions

Do a Youtube exercise class: Exercise is good for the mind and the body, so why not build a little yoga into your daily routine. There are PLENTY of free yoga workout videos on YouTube to choose from, from 30-minute gentle stretching sessions to longer, more advanced sessions. Of course, if Zumba or voguing is more your thing, crack on gorgeous!

Read That Book: We all have at least one book on our shelves that we’ve been meaning to read for a while, haven’t we? Mine is IKIGAI – The Japanese Secret To a Long and Happy Life and I fully intend to indulge in a little reading material during this period of self-isolation. I’m also considering a re-read of the Harry Potter series!

Make a feel-good feast of pancakes: If you need a break from your baked beans or pasta dishes, why not have a bit of fun in the kitchen with a pancake flipping contest! One of my favourite pancake recipes is this vegan offering from @sophie.bullimore, which predominantly uses dry ingredients that you are quite likely to find in your kitchen cupboards. This recipe serves 1-2, simply mix all the ingredients together and toss to your heart’s content!

1 cup of self-raising flour

2 teaspoons of baking powder

2 tablespoons of sugar 

250mls plant milk

1tbsp of butter or oil for frying 

Add toppings as you wish!

Video call someone you’ve been meaning to catch up with: We’ll all likely have a little more time on our hands over the next couple of weeks, so now is the perfect time to work on our human connections. Most mobile plans now include unlimited minutes and various platforms also offer free video calls over wifi, so reach out to people, especially those who are isolating on their own. If you don’t have enough words between you, you could also try suggesting a game like noughts and crosses, or battleships!

Subscribe to a Podcast: The humble podcast is a freelancer’s best friend when working long hours alone, so why not treat yourself to some aural stimulation. I can personally recommend My Dad Wrote a Porno, The Naked Podcast and Dragon Friends which are my three favourite feel-good offerings – however you can find podcasts on everything from true crime to music and comedy, so have a little explore and see what takes your fancy!

Have sex: Let’s be honest, it had crossed your mind, hadn’t it? There’s no reason you can’t have a little bit of fun during isolation, so don’t forget your contraceptives (if applicable) and, of course, consent is always super sexy!

Play a multiplayer game: Now, I’m not a board game person AT ALL, but I’m quite partial to a session of Words With Friends via the app when the mood strikes, and I’ve also agreed to join my husband’s online D&D group this weekend. Raid the games cupboard for a family favourite, or explore the endless possibilities available from a simple pack of cards!

Take part in a virtual boudoir shoot: Fancy trying something completely different? Here’s my invitation to you to dust off your creativity and combine our skills to put a little magic back into the world, whilst still doing our bit to flatten that curve! You know that feeling you get when you’re all dressed up with your hair and make up done ready for a night out? Well, add in 45 minutes of me telling you how amazing you are – plus 10 stunning images you’ll receive after the shoot – and your self-confidence will skyrocket!

Have more suggestions for fun things to do at home during self-isolation that are completely free? Leave them in the comments below!