Quarantine Binge-Watch (and Other Ways to Keep Your Mind Busy)

April 24, 2020

No doubt about it, this is a SCARY time. Borders are closed, Navy hospitals are mobilized, Coronavirus charts are abuzz with both good and bad numbers. Most of the world is in quarantine or shelter in place…awaiting our release. At some point boredom and stress will become a challenge, but amid all the uncertainty… TV and Internet TV are still here for us!!  If screen time is not your thing, read on for novel ideas on how to keep your mind active during this potentially “isolating” time.

TV AND INTERNET

The internet is responding with more options than ever before. There is no shortage of TV series and movies on platforms like Netflix, Disney Plus, Hulu, HBO, and Amazon Prime. With these subscriptions you can binge watch hundreds of series and movies. They also offer game shows/trivia to challenge your mind and give you a chuckle, documentaries for those who love informative content, reality shows for some guilty pleasures and even some beloved Latin telenovelas (soap operas). You can take a walk down memory lane and re-watch “The Ed Sullivan Show” or “I Love Lucy.”Below are 5 trending shows right now, all of whichare sure to feed your Quarantine binge-watching appetite:

  1. “Narcos: Mexico”- Netflix – The rise of the Guadalajara Cartel keeps you on the edge of your seat with suspense, betrayal, passion, while providing an inside look at the luxurious lifestyles of some of Mexico’s most infamous.
  2. Ozark–Netflix – (3 Seasons) – A riveting crime drama centered around the “all American family” that gets involuntary gets involved in money laundering, Mexican drug cartels, first loves, and extramarital affairs.
  3. Stranger Things- Netflix – (3 Seasons) – Set in the 1980s in the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana, supernatural events plague the town which lead the people to uncover secrets of a government lab, portals to another world, sinister monsters, and psychokinetic abilities.
  4. Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness – Netflix – A zoo owner spirals out of control amid a cast of eccentric characters in this true murder-for-hire story from the underbelly of big cat breeding.
  5. The Mandalorian – Disney Plus – the 10-episode break-out star of Disney’s streaming service. A “space western” set in the Star Wars universe after the fall of the Empire that will make you fall in love with Baby Yoda.

HOME DÉCOR & DE-CLUTTER

If you prefer to avoid a couch potato lifestyle and wish to stay active, start a home project. Our busy lifestyles often preclude home projects, but now may be the perfect time. Here are a few ideas to bring some “spring fever” into your home:

  1. Closet organizing or re-arranging furniture to give your home a new feel.
  1. Collect clothing and non-perishable items you no longer want for donation. This can help those financially affected by COVID-19while de-cluttering your home.
  1. Attempt some hands-on activities like starting a small home garden to grow beautiful indoor plants like the Croton Petra or even vegetables like carrots or tomatoes.
  1. How about cooking? You can explore your recipe repertoire and cook something new. You can even try to replicate a restaurant recipe or bake cookies or muffins from scratch.

YOUR INNER ARTIST / CRAFTSMAN

If you are artistically inclined, you can attempt to draw or paint the next Sistine Chapel right in your home. Regardless of your skillset, these tasks will not only keep your mind busy, but you will likely discover a rewarding and hidden talent you never knew you had.

  1. Try new hobbies such as knitting, crocheting, calligraphy, origami, working with modeling clay, or quilting.
  1. Learn a new instrument with the help of some free online tutorials on Google.
  1. Attempt some creative writing like poetry, writing a journal or starting your own blog.
  1. Challenge your mind with a jigsaw puzzle, Sudoku, playing a board game or card game, crossword puzzles, or simply listening to music or educational lectures such as TED Talks.

Remember, this too shall pass. Staying productive and active will help you manage the inevitable boredom and anxiety. Our law firm is here to assist you, your family, and the elderly population with any legal questions that may arise during these trying times. If we do not have a direct answer, we can put you in contact with someone that who will. Contact OC Estate and Elder Law at (954) 251-0332 or info@ocestatelawyers.com for a free phone consultation. Our attorneys are fluent in English, Spanish, and Russian.