The team at Yo Vocal have put together some ideas of how to keep yourself occupied and your mind active while we’re stuck at home, giving you a fresh perspective on what you could be getting up to.

Words by Liam Stretch and Java Katzur. Images by Frances Scrimgeour and Java Katzur.

People all over the country (and world) are now stuck in the same situation; we have to stay at home. To both protect us and others, it's important that we follow the guidelines of the government – and to be honest, apply a little bit of common sense. Although we are all still adjusting to our new world, there are many positives about being at home. We are unable to change our situation, but we need to all try our best to make the most of it.

We have come up with a list of activities to do while you are stuck at home.

1: Art

Often with the commitments of everyday life such as work, we forget how to let our creative juices get going. This is the perfect time to get back into it. Let your mind flow; it doesn't have to be a masterpiece, just any form of expression.

2: Inter-flat/household challenges

This can be a wild as your little beating heart desires. Currently, some of the favourites are TikTok/Snapchat/Instagram challenges – i.e. #see10do10. You could be more grassroots and set a whole array of challenges that the other flat or household needs to complete – maybe try a Houseparty Paint n' Sip?

3: Make-up and makeovers

For those who are keen on make-up, this is your time. Practice your looks and think outside of the box. And while you're at it, drag your flatmates or family along for the ride and give them a makeover too.

Make up tutorials

4: Tidy and rearrange your house

Tidy room = tidy mind. If you haven't done much during the day, this is a perfect way to feel productive. Take it from me; it's a tonic for anxiety.

5: Learn new skills

Now is the perfect time to get good at skills you don't need in everyday life but those that can be fucking fun to whip out at all the future parties we WILL have. Juggling, wheelies, opening a bottle with your teeth, break an apple in half with your bare hands, lift a glass without using your hands there is lots more out there – or something more practical like poetry, for all those soft bois.

6: Get into magic tricks

Remember Criss Angel or Elgregoe? Lockdown is the perfect chance to practice a bit of sleight of hand. Get on YouTube and get started on your next magic tick to show the whānau.

7: Take time for yourself

Take this chance to reflect and be at one with yourself – never have time to meditate?? Well now is your time. It's a time to slow down, reflect, and be grateful for everything that you do have. We are pretty privileged to see this pandemic out in warm, dry houses. Check out The Honest Guys on YouTube for some guided meditation.

Guided Meditation

8: Read

Is that stack of books in the corner gathering a bit of dust? Pick one up and read it! If you didn't stock up on books before the lockdown or you don't like reading much, places such as AUDIBLE are great for audiobooks.

Audible

9: Online courses

This can be the perfect time to level up, educate yourself and expand your knowledge base. We may feel useless while isolated, but we can keep our mind active by doing online courses or classes.

10: Grow that mo

No explanation needed

11: Cook and bake 'til the cows come home

The supermarkets are still open, and you can get your hands on some juicy ingredients in order to cook and bake your heart out. There are heaps of websites with yummy recipes for you to try at home.

Recipes

12: Make things

If you have a sewing machine or even just a pen, paper, and some scissors, this is the time to get creative. Make a new pair of pants, crop that T that is possibly a little bit small – or go full Project Runway and create a whole new wardrobe.

13: Shoot some music videos

Choose your favourite song; get your flatmates or family members together and create a music video. Get whacky and get weird, it's the best way to do it.

14: Host virtual parties or pub quizzes on ZOOM

Get people involved in the virtual way and create a house party or a pub quiz together with other households or flats, it's simple. Everyone is at home; it's a perfect time. This has been tested by the Yo, Vocal team and this shit works. One recommendation is an 'at home BYO'. Grab your Cleanskin Sav and a pack of Indomie Mi Goreng – the blue pack of course – and plenty of extra soy sauce, and you're good to go.

15: Keep active

Pull out the skipping rope from the back of the garage. Take a neighbourhood stroll, or simply do some pushups and sit-ups each day. Releasing some endorphins will make these cooped up days a lot easier. Also, yoga is a well-rounded at home workout for you to try.

Chris Hemsworth free fitness app

Yoga

16: Exercise patience

This is not going to last forever, so cut your housemates and family some slack. You might find, if you slow down, that you've got a whole lot in common and conversation is about the best time waster there is.

Remember that tough times don't last – tough people do. We're all in this together; connect with people you miss or haven't talked to in a while. Use this time the best you can and remain positive. We cannot do anything about what's going on in this big, wide world at the moment, but we can change our immediate environments and how we choose to go forward. Stay positive and most importantly, be kind.

And if you have any more activity ideas, comment them down below. We would love to hear what you've got going on at home.

Keeping cool in COVID