Top 5 activities to keep you motivated during self-isolation

With the current COVID-19 pandemic, many have found themselves studying, working or self-isolating at home. While the first few days might be productive and enjoyable, soon you could find yourself searching for things to do. Here are five activities that can help you stay motivated during your time at home.

Tip 1: Try your hand at cooking

Take this opportunity to improve your cooking skills and make some delicious home-made creations. Explore recipes that you haven’t tried before and learn some new techniques along the way. You can find lots of inspiration online, whether you want to bake some comfort food or make healthy dinners to keep you nourished and well. Plus, it is something fun you can do with others, even if they aren’t at home with you! Video call your parents to learn one of their family recipes, or try something challenging with a friend. Read this article about foods that support mental health, or start with these simple cooking skills!

Tip 2: Stay fit and healthy at home

Staying at home doesn’t mean you have to stay in bed or sit on the couch all day. Turn your lounge room into a gym by joining one of the many online personal training and fitness communities. Even without any equipment, you can maintain health and fitness during self-isolation with just 30 minutes or more of exercise each day. Plus, exercise is also known to improve mental health – so you will be supporting your mind as well as your body.

This simple core workout is a great place to start!

Tip 3: Invite your friends to virtual catch ups

Self-isolating at home doesn’t mean you will no longer see your friends. In fact, this could be a great opportunity to have meaningful conversations and spend quality time together (but apart). Invite them to a virtual coffee catch up or dinner through platforms like Zoom or Facebook. You can all agree to have your coffee or meals ready by the time the meeting starts, and sit down to enjoy each other’s company over video. The app Houseparty even lets you play games together!

“Being stuck at home doesn’t mean you can’t continue to pursue your study goals. In fact, it is the perfect time to focus your attention to learning something new and gaining a qualification that leads you to your dream career.”

Tip 4: Tackle those jobs you have been postponing

Now is the time to clean out those cupboards, organise your photos into albums, file those documents and reduce your increasingly packed wardrobe. Staying organised helps you feel motivated and creates a comfortable and enjoyable living environment. Plus, you will have a proud sense of achievement when you finally tick those jobs off your list! Here are some great home organisation tips to get you started.

Tip 5: Start your dream career with online study

Being stuck at home doesn’t mean you can’t continue to pursue your study goals. In fact, it is the perfect time to focus your attention to learning something new and gaining a qualification that leads you to your dream career.

Deakin University, Australia, is offering prospects studying select degrees the opportunity to start their studies on Deakin’s Cloud Campus (online) in July and continuing them in Australia. You will begin your degree online, studying two units per Trimester of study.

Deakin’s innovative Cloud Campus (online) will allow you to regularly engage with your lecturers and student peers; access study support services and virtual group chats; and submit your assessments.

When you have the opportunity to travel to Australia to continue your studies, you can complete the remainder of your course full-time and on campus. Here you will continue to reap the many study support benefits Deakin offers, as well as enjoying our world-class facilities and the Australian lifestyle.

Want to study online with Deakin, but don’t know where to start? Here are some helpful resources:

• Visit our website for more information
• Take our free Learning online at Deakin course to discover all you need to know about Deakin’s Cloud Campus
• Visit our transitioning to online study information page
• Explore the getting started guide for Cloud students