There are a lot of ways to make this difficult time of social distancing and quarantine be one of growth and taking time to care for oneself and each other, so that when we look back at it from the future, we remember how we came together and that the best that was brought out in us, and not the reactive and disappointing actions of some coming from a state of fear.
Not that I’m insensitive to fear in this uncertain time, especially that of immune-compromised individuals or those who have no choice but to keep working to provide for their family, but have no childcare. It’s still important for our mental and physical health to stay positive, active and connected.
To be clear, social distancing as much as possible is what is currently recommended in this area at this time, not social isolation or quarantine (which can lead to loneliness, anxiety and depression), but that could change at anytime. Quarantine is recommended if you become sick with even mild symptoms, are over 60 or have a pre-existing condition that makes you more susceptible to serious complications of COVID-19. If you do still have to work with the public, it is very important not to visit older or compromised individuals. To learn specifically what distancing vs. isolation means, and to stay up to date with current recommendations on this quickly evolving situation, you can visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.
There really are a lot of ways to stay active and feel connected during this time of isolation, many right within our local community even though we’re apart. It’s beautiful how so many individuals and businesses started reaching out almost immediately as the lock-down notices started coming out to provide ways (many for little to no cost) to use this time and stay connected.
Local yoga and fitness classes, now online!
Treetop Yoga is offering classes multiple times daily on their Facebook page, which can be taken for no-charge, but if you’re in a position to, you can support the instructors through a link provided on the page.
Local personal trainer and group fitness instructor, Lara Tanguay, is offering stretch, strengthening and Barre classes on her Facebook page LT Fitness daily for only $5-10 payable through Venmo.
Local personal trainer and group fitness instructor, Vanessa Lee, is offering cardio, hybrid tabata, and strengthening with dumbbell, bands and bodyweight fitness classes for a donation through her Facebook page Vanessa Lee Fitness – Workout Videos.
Learn music, or listen to some local music.
Now is a great time to finally learn to play an instrument! Local musician, Jake Pardee, is offering virtual guitar lessons, $50 for two 30 minute lessons for new students via FaceTime or Google Hangouts.
You can also still enjoy live local music, thanks to the Shalin Liu’s live streaming concert series, starting with Mari Martin & the Lucky Boys March 27th!
We can’t go to the pub for a while, but you can still support local musicians who have been hit hard by the shutdown. Local bands Pier Ave and Over the Bridge have tunes available for purchase in all the usual tune-purchasing places, as well as streaming on Spotify!
(Not local, but I have to mention, when our family is stuck indoors, we love watching NPR’s Tiny Desk Concerts together on YouTube, and there are hours and hours of them to enjoy. A few of our favorites have been: Tank and The Bangas, Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers, D.R.A.M., Tash Sultana, Liane La Havas, and Nickel Creek — be aware, there’s sometimes explicit language.)
Meditate.
Nicole Anastas, yoga instructor, massage therapist and owner of Embody Balance, is offering group meditation daily online via Facebook. Join her Embody Balance Meditation Group to find out when we’re meditating!
You can start your seedlings and join Cape Ann’s First Giant Pumpkin Competition!
Amateur and seasoned growers welcome! Visit the event page for Cape Ann’s First Giant Pumpkin Contest and enter your contact information to learn more about the event as details become available, and to get help finding seeds or getting started.
Download Hoopla and Libby apps for e-books and audiobooks.
The apps are available through the Sawyer Free Library offering e-books that can be sent to your Kindle as well as audiobooks and a lot of choices for kids as well.
Also, there are many free online learning tools for kids. Scholastic Magazine just launched a new Learn at Home site to provide free online educational courses for kids of all ages. The Kennedy Center online has digital educational resources as well as a fun after lunch activity, Doodles with Mo Willems.
Consider getting your quarantine reading from a local bookseller instead of online.
The Bookstore of Gloucester can order your lock-down reading material, is providing drop-off service to help you avoid public spaces, or can even mail you your books if you prefer. It’s really important to support our local small businesses at this time.
Dogtown Books also has an online book store, and is offering curb-side pickup as well as free shipping on made-to-order “Stay-At-Home Book Boxes”!
Paint Glosta Rocks!
Paint some Glosta Rocks with love and kindness, then spread them throughout the community on a nature walk!
Support Local Restaurants
So we still have somewhere to go when this is all over. If you’re in a position to right now, get your Christmas shopping done by getting everyone gift cards to your favorite local restaurants or to Cape Ann Lanes.
Launch Your Life 2020
If you are choosing to use this time of disruption as a chance for introspection and getting clear on the life you’re building moving forward, I’m considering offering my lifestyle design and goal mastery workshop, Launch Your Life 2020, in an online format either for free or a small donation. After all, many of us don’t have much to do right now except to start working on some goals we’ve long put off.
If you’re interested in participating in the Launch Your Life workshop by learning short daily exercises designed to help you get super clear and create an actionable plan to still make 2020 an amazing year — OR if you have other suggestions for how to connect locally during quarantine that you would like me to share — please use the contact box below!
If you’d like to know how Cape Ann Community Chiropractic is handling COVID-19, you can read my message to our community.
