RA and Covid-Friendly Activities

I want to start by saying that "COVID-friendly activities" may be defined differently by every reader. To maintain an ultra-cautious approach, I am describing these as activities I can do at home or outside that involve minimal face-to-face/close interaction with others.

We're now two years into a global pandemic, which means we are continually trying to entertain ourselves safely. i.e., avoiding large crowds of people, maintaining social distancing, going fewer places, being masked while indoors, avoiding indoor hangout locations entirely, practicing extra hand washing, etc. Whether you live alone, with a friend or a partner, with or without family members, the last two years have required us to get creative over and over again.

Craving more activity in my day

We could use Netflix for that, right? I'm talking about staying engaged, employing critical thinking, finding joy, interacting with others, being creative, using our hands, and getting fresh air.

There's so much we want to learn, do, or be, but within the parameters of COVID-19, those things have had to be redefined constantly.

So, I want to share some things I've experimented with, some things I've enjoyed, and some things that have kept me as sane as possible while life continues to change.

Safe RA-friendly ideas

Indoor activities to do alone

When left to my own devices, I've learned that I end up blowing through "free" time by scrolling on my phone and binge-watching different TV series on streaming services. Now, there's NOTHING wrong with either of these activities, and they are still very much part of my routine; however, I needed more.

I needed to feel more engaged.

Like I was having fun or learning things.

So, I've tried various things, from macramé to cross-stitch, beading to bracelet making, journaling, reading, list-making, coloring, painting, and organizing. I'm sure there are things I'm forgetting. When it comes to being curled up on the couch under warm blankets, I've found that my RA prefers coloring (with colored pencils not requiring much pressure) and macramé (simple knotting without having to hold small objects like needles or beads). My heart and interests prefer cross-stitch and bracelet making, but those have to be reserved for good days with no pain and high levels of dexterity and focus.

Mainting a social connection indoors

This is a category I've gotten pretty good at filling. In the first year of COVID, I learned to play several online games with friends. We'd be hanging out on video chat and playing the same game simultaneously - like Ticket to Ride or Quiplash. We loved cheering each other on and teasing each other. It almost felt like there wasn't so much physical distance between our homes. The silver lining of this was I got in a lot more FaceTime and playtime with friends who live far away and might not visit often. Everyone's a click away when things are virtual! Plus, it was easy to keep my body comfortable and at rest when using my tablet or computer. A bonus for us RA folks!

Getting outside

When the weather allows, I've found that getting outside has done wonders for my mental health. Mainly I've participated in short walks, and I've even taken a book out to my back patio to read because the fresh air and sunshine make me smile, even on days when temperatures might be a little brisk. I have also enjoyed socially-distanced visits with friends outdoors this season - being close enough to chat but not to share germs. Sometimes being surrounded by new faces (even masked) is a great change of pace.

What RA activities have you found to entertain and support you during COVID-19? I'd love to read about your discoveries below.