Jamison Guice, Campus Carrier features editor
Zander Carver, Campus Carrier asst. features editor
The Carrier staff has created a list of fun quarantine activities to help pass the time. Just because you are in your room that does not mean that there is nothing to do, so here are our suggestions.
Movies:
The great thing about the world of film is that there is something out there for everyone, both in broad genres and in specific films. If you want to watch a superhero movie, there are hundreds of options. More specifically, if you want a movie in the Marvel Universe, there are over 50.
Movies can cover all of the most specific desires. For example, if you wanted to watch something as obscure as a flock of killer birds being fought off by teenagers with coat hangers, there is actually a movie all about that.
Films can be entertaining or informative, and they can lead viewers down a rabbit hole to a whole new world of entertainment. This is especially prevalent in large movie franchises like the Marvel cinematic universe, the Star Wars universe, and various spin-off films and multi-part documentary series.
Every person develops their own special way of watching movies, which is a major part of the experience. Sitting down on your bed with your blankets pulled up over you, or sitting on a couch with plenty of snacks, there are countless ways to go about movie watching, because it is more than just watching a movie, it is experiencing the movie.
Another great thing about movies is that if you find one you really enjoy, there is nothing stopping you from rewatching it. If pleasant to watch, it can help the viewer get through four or even six hours when rewatching it multiple times, and you may even pick up on details that were previously missed.
There is no such thing as getting too into a movie and there is no such thing as watching one movie too many times. If you find a movie you love, make the most out of it, and it may introduce you to a whole new world that is yours to explore.
Yoga:
Yoga is an accessible workout when unable to visit The Cage Athletic Center. This practice allows for the mind, body and spirit to connect and release stress through breathing techniques and meditation. The ability to gain focus and slowly let go of daily problems is a skill that can be learned, and it enables the practitioner to gain control of their body. So, if stuck in a dorm room without any gym equipment, find dorm items that can be reused as makeshift yoga supplies.
- No mat? Find a blanket and shoes!
A yoga mat is typically used to prevent hands and feet from slipping while working out. Mats are also great directional tools when participating in larger groups. However, at-home yoga does not have to follow strict rules, and it can be what the practitioner makes it. So, slip on tennis shoes and begin practicing. Since you will be doing yoga on a hard floor, pressure can build up in certain joints resulting in pain.
For example, if a mat is not on-hand, layer blankets on the floor in between floor poses that need extra cushion. So, a blanket might be placed underneath the hands and knees when doing the Cat-Cow Stretch to prevent body parts from straining.
2. Need a routine? Find one!
Yoga does not need a routine. However, if it helps, find routines online. One recommendation is the video Yoga With Adriene “Full Body Flow” on YouTube. This short video uses moderate to beginner poses that will target muscles in the arms, legs and back. If just starting yoga, it is good to remember that you are not required to mimic the teacher’s position. Make sure to do what feels comfortable to your body, and that sometimes means altering or doing a different pose.
3. Learn more!
Yoga is a life-long practice and even if a person is only interested in it short-term, learning more about the practice can be beneficial during both the meditation and poses. Some interesting reads are “The Yoga Beginner’s Bible” by Tai Morello and “Yoga for Everyone: 50 Poses For Every Type of Body” by Diane Bondy.
Fermentation, fruits and vegetables:
Fermentation, a method of food preservation, can take from five to seven days depending on the food. These foods are rich in probiotics and can even save students money in the long-term since this preservation method allows food to be kept in storage from a few months to a few years.
According to culturesforhealth.com, there are certain tricks for success when fermenting foods. First, make sure to use fresh produce and properly prepare them for the jar. So, for example, if using cabbage, dice it according to preference.
Second, there are different methods to fermenting foods that use salt, whey or a starter culture. While a recipe may call for a specific method, it also depends on the cook. Each type of fermentation has its own benefits and it is up to the person on how they want it to pair with the food.
Third, make sure the brine water is contaminant free. If using tap water, make sure to boil before using. However, culturesforhealth.com notes that this does not remove the contaminants chloramine and fluoride. If using bottled or distilled water, check the label on any contents like added minerals.
Fourth, put the prepared food into the brine. Make sure the food is completely covered by water during the fermentation. Culturesforhealth.com recommends weighing any fruits or vegetables down to keep them in an anaerobic environment which then allows the lactic acid bacteria to develop.
Lastly, once the food has finished culturing, move the jar to cold storage. Since this can be hard to determine for a beginner, the website said to look for different signs. Bubbles and sour smells are signs that may signal to move the fermented food to a cooler temperature, like a refrigerator.
Fermentation can be a confusing process, so do not be afraid to find resources that can help make it easier. Troubleshooting questions like ‘Is it mold or yeast?’ can make this activity fun and an interesting conversation topic. So, be safe and make all the kombucha, kefir and kimchi you can.
Video Games:
Video games are a very polarizing topic. Some people say they are a waste of time and cause violent personalities, and others say they are extremely fun and help you relax.
Video games are like most forms of entertainment, in the way that there is just about something for everyone in the gaming world, regardless of age, gender or personality.
If you are looking for action and adventure there is a wide world of shooter games, turn-based role-playing games, platformers and other genres. These genres are typically the best-selling among players, with household franchise names like Super Mario, Call of Duty and Pokémon.
For people who just want a game they can relax to, there are several games meant to help players relax. These are typically easy to play because they are created to satisfy the player and give them a sense of accomplishment. Games like this are typically called life simulation games and consist of games like Animal Crossing, The Sims and Stardew Valley.
While some video games are expensive, a newer video game sells around $60. Also, there is a wide selection of free video games. Most free games can be downloaded on smartphones, but there are also several free games that can be played on the computer that fall into any category.
For example, Steam is the most downloaded computer gaming app in the world. Steam is a good app to use because it will recommend games based on what you play, and it has filters that only show free games, or games in a certain price range. You can also find games of specific categories and read reviews from people who have already played to see if it is something you would like.
Video games are an excellent distraction if quarantined, because you can get lost in the world of the game and time will fly by as you play.
Become Campus Famous!:
Social media has an ever-growing presence in people’s day to day lives, and with new social media platforms popping up all the time, if you are stuck inside, you could try to make a name for yourself on one of those.
Almost everyone on campus has a smartphone, and making a YouTube video or TikTok video can be as easy as hitting record.
Something new goes viral every day, and it can be something as over the top as a music video, or even as simple as a clip of someone saying nonsense words.
Creating content is a matter of being committed and putting in hard work. Whether it is a day-in-the-life video, a podcast with your friends that you record over Zoom, recordings about your favorite movies or a Tik Tok where you lip sync to your favorite song while wearing a crazy hat, content creation has something for everyone.
Getting into creating content on social media can also be a good way to connect with people through comments left on your creations and posts, giving you a good chance to talk to people who took the time to watch what you have made. Sometimes comments left on a post can even lead to making new friends; some of the biggest YouTube collaborations started because the creators met one another through comments.
It is also a great way to get your name known around campus and become someone that people are happy to see. If you make a video and everyone on campus watches it, you may have made yourself Berry-famous.
Journaling:
Remember being nine years old and fantasizing about being the next New York Times bestselling author? While that question may just be targeting English and creative writing majors, writing can be therapeutic regardless of who does it, even if starting small, and it can be a great way to relieve anxiety.
While conventional journaling portrays writers pouring out their heart, it can take any form. Instead, pick an interest. Doodling? Writing fanfiction? Food? Religion? Pick an interest, or many, and just start. The first page can be a list of ideas of what to journal about!
If picking an interest to journal about is difficult, think about your go-to hobby. Sometimes the things you do in your free time are inspirations in themselves and can be wells of creativity. For example, the blog vanillapapers.net offers tips for first-time writers that may help when creating the writing process.
Then, create the aesthetic. For people who have limited supplies, recording your thoughts can look like anything from a vintage leather bound to a college-ruled notebook. While notebooks tend to work better for writers, it is always good to weigh the pros and cons of each.
If you are avoiding something that resembles a diary, one idea could be a food journal. Each day you could create three new recipes to try for breakfast, lunch and dinner. While the food pantry needs to be stocked, this is a great way to keep both the mind and stomach busy while quarantined.
Breakfast recipe example:
Oatmeal
- One cup of oats
- One cup of almond milk
- ¼ cup of bananas
- ¼ cup of blueberries
- Teaspoons of flax seeds
- Two tablespoons of maple syrup
This activity gets interesting because while food becomes slim, the recipes become more creative. For example, while the above recipe is something that could be eaten throughout the week, the milk will eventually run out. However, it can actually be replaced with yogurt since it contains dairy. This is also a great way to intentionally incorporate nutritious and immune boosting foods into your diet.