#1 How to make a Corona virus
anti-boredom box
I like to fill it with things to satisfy all my senses - something for my eyes to look at and feel soothed or taken in by, my sense of smell to be engaged (like a wonderfully baked cake), my hands to touch (sowing seeds or planting) or create (drawing a sunset or rainbow on a boring brown flower pot), my ears to hear and enjoy and for my heart to be touched.

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Step 1 - Make it
Take some card board out of the recycling box...and cut into ..NIA to explain see
paper/card board cut out example

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Step 2 - Fill it with fun suggestions!

Now that you’ve built the box, you need to fill it.
I went back to the recycling box, cut out small pieces of cardboard and wrote a different activity on each one:

For example;

physical activities: skipping, jogging around the block, dog walking, yoga, having a
shower/bath, having a healthy snack like fruit, drinking plenty of water..
pic of skipping rope
calming activities: drawing, colouring in, writing a journal, listening to calm music or
an audio book, stroking my/a dog, looking at old photographs, reading a book,
designing clothes... pic of the apple face?
creative activities: taking photos, making a funny video clip of my dog, baking, listening to up beat music and thinking of a dance routine, playing the guitar,
making a perfume from different herbs or flowers in the garden, putting on different types of make -up, making cards with inspirational quotes, making stuff out of felt
like animals.. pic of felt lama
social activities: write a message to a friend or talk to a friend on FaceTime, talk to your mum or dad or other family member, make a fun video of you and your family

all dancing or doing a funny shape and send to others , think of a quizz you can play online via zoom or skype...

pic of a drawn person with a thinking bubble? (see BOOTS?)

Step 3 - Keep it somewhere safe!
Keep it in a place where you can easily find it when you need or want it most.

 

Step 4 - Use it!
Just take a lucky dip and do the activity you’ve drawn.
It has so far not failed to change my mood pretty reliably! These are just my ideas to get you inspired or
started - what would you like to put into your box?
pic of Antonia’s box
All these activities will help you to change your mood and become
happy and calm again.
Here are some other ideas
2. Get dancing - it creates happiness
• Get together with a friend via FaceTime or WhatsApp and create a fun dance
routine.
• Meet up at regular intervals throughout the week to practise and add on moves.
• If you like you can video yourselves and send to friends or family members for
fun and entertainment.
• Most importantly, dancing keeps you fit, you see a friend and it keeps you active.
Mum says, happiness hormones flood your body when you move!
dance pic from Boots website?
3. Get writing - poems/Songs - it all clears the mind
It can really take me into a different space whenever I try to put my thoughts or
feelings into short, snappy poems - haven’t had the patience for longer ones yet..
During the first week of lockdown I felt as if everything became very small around
me, a feeling as if I were fenced it...
SEE sample
4. get breathing - it helps to Relax