As everyone around us (we included) is starting to feel quite panicked and freaked out about the horrible situation with Coronavirus, we’re struggling to find something that helps our positive thinking and optimism. You can probably imagine that it has been super hard for us, travel bloggers, as traffic is dropping dramatically which is totally hurting our businesses. So we decided to unite with fellow-bloggers and ask them to help all of us with some positive reframing of our mindsets. This is how “things to do instead of freaking out about a pandemic” was born. We put together a resource if you want to donate to a Covid-19 campaign.

Never underestimate the power of the community – we collected ideas about things to do instead of panicking about the virus in no time. It’s so inspiring that strangers (well, like-minded strangers) were exchanging ideas, showing empathy and support. Beautiful!

It’s extremely important to follow the rules set by our respective states. That would mean keeping up with social distancing, lockdowns, curfews, and all the other forms of state of emergency rules. Without further ado, here come the ideas, practices, coping mechanism you can try to fight negative patterns triggered by the pandemic.

Report misleading and fake news

Claudia Tavani | My Adventures Across The World

Entire Italy has been on lockdown since Monday, and people are starting to get bored out of their minds. Some of us continue working from home, but with the pandemic emergency in Italy, we quickly got used to listening to the news several times a day, waiting for the Civil Protection Unit to announce the numbers of those infected and deceased every day at 6:00 pm, or the Prime Minister holding a speech to the nation at 9:45 pm. 

With the amount of information available online about coronavirus, many have a hard time to differentiate news that is real and reliable from fake ones. A good, constructive way to spend your time in this emergency is reporting any piece of information which is misleading or fake to the relevant authorities and to inform others about it – whether answering Whatsapp or Facebook threads. 

It’s important to stay informed and these fake news help spreading panic – the last thing we need at such a difficult time. 

Start planning future trips

Laura | Anywhere She Roams

Covid-19 need not quell our wanderlust. Just because travel bans are on the rise, it doesn’t mean that we should stop thinking about travel altogether.

I should have just been returning from Catania, Italy, after attending TBEX: The Blogger Exchange – a conference and networking event for content creators, alas, it was postponed in light of the current news alike many other events globally. Whilst at first I was disheartened, it enabled me to take a step back and re-evaluate my travel plans.

As I and many others have watched the developing news unfold it has become more apparent about the importance of self-isolating and limiting non-essential travel. Instead of seeing this in a negative light, try to use this down-time to refocus and review your travel plans. Make a
bucket-list of destinations you want to visit and make goals of how you will achieve getting there. Take some time to read more in-depth about these destinations – their foods, culture, and traditions! You will be a pro by the time you get there!

Did you know that the anticipation of a holiday releases a huge amount of happy hormones? Yes, you read that right – according to a 2010 study published in the journal Applied Research in Quality of Life, states that simply planning or anticipating your trip can make you happier than actually taking it.

Support the elderly

Anne Fraser | The Platinum Line

I think that it is going to be important to offer emotional support as well as practical assistance to your elderly friends, neighbors, and relations at this time. They may be feeling particularly vulnerable. You may find they need help with tasks like online shopping or banking. If they live too far away why not start a game like Words with friends or online chess. It will enable you to stay in touch and provide a welcome distraction.

Be out in nature

Allison Gygi | Allison Gygi Travels

Being out in nature is good for the body and the mind. Now that spring is approaching and the weather is warming up, my family has decided to spend some much-needed family time outside. Though the schools, libraries and most public places in our community are closing, we don’t plan to spend the foreseeable future stuck at home.

Instead, we’re finding new hiking trails to try, nature preserves to explore and parks in which to play. Not only does this allow us time to disconnect from all the media sources that tend to induce fear in our society, but it also allows us to strengthen our relationships with each other while enjoying some much needed fresh air and exercise.

Host board game nights

Alexandra | The Adventure Classroom

I’ve been using this complicated time to get back to what is simple and easy: play.  I’ve collected a few board games over the years – and I received 4 new ones in the past month! – so I’m taking this opportunity to host board game nights for my family and friends. So far, it has become a bi-weekly event with friends, and an almost daily occurrence with my family.  It’s a great way to get together and focus on fun instead of the news around COVID-19, which seems to be spreading faster than the virus itself.  

Improve your photography skills

Jamie | PhotoJeepers

One of the best things you can do during stressful times is to pick up your camera and take pictures. Photography boosts mental health in so many ways: it allows you to express yourself, brings focus to positive life experiences, enhances your self-worth, and reduces the stress hormone. Improving your photography skills takes practice. Use this time to enjoy the process and remind yourself why you love taking pictures.

Homemade Italian food

Odo | The Traveller’s Loft

Living in northern Italy at the time of coronavirus is somehow both disappointing and astonishing. All the country is in quarantine and when you manage to leave your house for grocery shopping, the streets are empty as you have never seen them before. My girlfriend and myself are locked in our flat in the center of Varese, a beautiful little town with a lot of open-air activities to do. But right now, apart from our terrace, there is not much sun to get.

Luckily we are humanitarians, so we are in a way used to curfew and movement limitations. To fight the boredom of the situation, we decided to go full-in cooking classes. We patriotically switched towards Italian homemade food. Our tagliatelle is becoming every day like those from Italian grandmas. The freshly baked bread is perfect for breakfast with the jam we made. And carbonara is not the only pasta sauce we prepared, as we are getting more and more refined. Every cloud has a silver lining.

Revise old blog posts

 Edyta | Say Yes To Madeira Blog

The possibility to stay home with your close ones is a great way to spend quality time together and straighten your family bonds. And if you do not live with your family, this time is a great opportunity to do something that you have been putting off for ages. In my case, it was… revising my old blog posts. I kept creating new posts, never having time to look through the old ones, which is a mistake, because some of them are already well positioned on Google. So, I stocked up on coffee and I approached it in a structured way. I made a list of all old posts which need to be updated – starting from the ones with the most traffic. I keep improving their overall look, updating Pinterest pins, pictures, adding new links where possible, and removing all content. It not only revives old travel memories, keeps my mind off the pandemic, but gives me a nice feeling of accomplishment. I am sure that my readers will appreciate it too.

Study a foreign language

Jamie | The Daily Adventures of Me

Working on becoming bilingual is a perfect thing to do while we are stuck at home. There are many free or low-cost ways to study language at home. Check out the app DuoLingo. With it, you can test to see what level you are at of already knowing a language, then learn advanced skills from there. If you only want to do this 15 minutes a day, it is free. You can also listen to their podcast.

There is also a free podcast called Slow News in Spanish on which you can hear today’s news (for a fee) or last week’s news for free. Another way to become proficient at a language from home is to read books in the language or watch TV. I watch shows through Netflix with simple plot lines in Spanish with Spanish subtitles to help a little more.

Go to a remote place

Kelli | Compass & Coastline

If you need a break from the worry associated with the pandemic, a relaxing and peaceful thing to do is go somewhere remote.  This could mean renting a cabin for a week or even taking a road trip through a sparsely-populated area. You don’t have to go completely “off the grid” to still gain the benefits of time away.  Some of my favorite places to unwind are under-the-radar beach destinations.

Give yourself the gift of peace and quiet.  I recommend disconnecting from technology and instead filling up your day with hobbies you enjoy, reading, and connecting with loved ones.  What better time is there to learn something new about yourself and give your mind and body a reset?

Stay connected online

Erin Parker | Love To Travel, Stay-Eat-Do

One of the greatest fears I have about the spread of the Coronavirus, is the isolation and loneliness, that people are all about to experience! Thank goodness for Skype, Face Time, Facebook Messenger and all other forms of video conferencing and social communication.

My sister lives in Perth and had a planned trip to visit us all, in Victoria. Based on the current travel recommendations, she has decided, the responsible decision is to postpone her trip. We share a love for a nice glass of wine, so instead of doing so in person, we bought the same bottle locally and had a wine or two together, over Skype. Obviously, it was not the same as face-to-face, but thanks to the increasing numbers of ways we can communicate online, I do not fear social isolation as much as I would have in the past.

Stay isolated

Emma Kelly | Our Wayfaring Life

It’s by coincidence that my husband and I have found ourselves living in a remote seaside community in Australia at this particular time of the pandemic. We are full-time travelers funding our travels by doing temporary work and it just happened we got work at a caravan park and a local tavern not long before the outbreak.  

So we find ourselves in a place called Marion Bay at the bottom of the nearly 200-kilometer-long Yorke Peninsula, an hour away from the nearest supermarket. Our plan is to stay here for as long as we can working and enjoying the beaches, swimming, snorkeling, and walks that are here as well. Also, the people here while taking the recommended precautions such as washing hands and self-isolation when sick are getting on with life as normal which is nice and in stark contrast to so many other places.

Spend quality time with your kids

Anjali | Travel Melodies

The looming threat of coronavirus or COVID – 19 is making everyone feel helpless and anxious around us. That’s natural. We all know deep down that panic wouldn’t take us anywhere but find it difficult to not react. The only thing we can do is exercise the precautions and stay calm.

What am I doing to silence pandemic anxiety? Well, I’m spending more time with my daughter. I’m doing things she adores to do. She loves it when I bake for her. Helping me while baking puts a smile on her face and uplifts my mood too. I also have enrolled in an online creative writing course I’ve been postponing for so long. I’ve realized the best way to relieve the anxiety and stress in this difficult time is to stay positive and indulge yourself in things you always wanted to do but couldn’t because of work and regular routines.

Enjoy a date night at home

Ann Tolman | Ann Plans Travel

Taking time to reconnect with my husband and finally have time to enjoy a date night without all the distractions of everyday life. Without being able to go to the gym I’ve also been able to discover all the amazing parks and running trails near my house which has been an adventure in of itself.  

Google Arts & Culture

Katie-Beth Gamblin | Her Life in Ruins

Not being able to travel sucks, but thankfully, Google has the next best thing: Google Arts & Culture. Google Arts & Culture allows you to tour famous landmarks, museums, and works of art virtually, making it the perfect option for exploring the world from home! The best part? Google Arts & Culture is totally free! You’re even able to go “behind the scenes” and learn important facts about many places. Learning and looking at some gorgeous stuff? Sign me up!

P.S. Street Art with Google Art Project will take you on a virtual tour around the most fascinating street art around the world with all the stories behind it.

Learn to play a musical instrument

Sean Lau | LivingOutLau

Do you have a guitar that has been laying around since high school? Or a piano that has been collecting dust since you were a little child? Now it is the perfect opportunity to learn how to play those instruments. With so much bad news and negative energy, playing music will boost your mood. Not only will it help with the depressing vibes, but you will come out having learned a new skill!

Keep the kids on a schedule

Kristi Valentini | Readymade Travel Plans

When it was announced schools were shutting down here for the next several weeks, I got a little panicky wondering how to keep the kids entertained for all that time. I don’t know about you, but what always helps me feel better and more in control is having a plan.

I brainstormed a list of indoor and outdoor activities, from parks we could explore to crafts, science experiments and things we could do to prepare for summer. I also created a daily schedule to give our days structure and a sense of normalcy.

My kids know they should be ready to start their day at 9 a.m. and that they’ll be school work, outdoor activities and time for learning “life skills” like how to use a cutting board and knife or load the dishwasher. Having a plan helped me figure out how to keep the kids busy and to focus on the positive and productive things we can do each day. 

Start a meditation practice

Wendy Werneth | The Nomadic Vegan

Meditation is helpful for staying calm and focused at any time, but it’s more important than ever in scary times like these. When you’re surrounded by news reports and social media posts predicting disaster, your mind can very easily spiral out of control with harmful negative thoughts. Learning how to control your own thoughts is, therefore, a very powerful tool for getting through these hard times. It takes time and practice to master, but even after your first meditation session, you will already start to feel a sense of calm and peace.

If you’re new to meditation, start out with a short, guided meditation of 10 minutes or so and then gradually build on that. Headspace is a wonderful smartphone app for this, or for a free alternative try Insight Timer. You can also find plenty of guided meditations on YouTube. The best time to meditate is generally first thing in the morning when you wake up, as this will start your day off on the right foot. You can also try meditating just before bed if you have trouble falling asleep. The wonderful thing about meditation is that you don’t have to travel a long way to a meditation retreat or pay a fortune to a guru to learn how to do it. It’s completely free and can be done absolutely anywhere at any time, whenever you need peace of mind.

Watch your favorite series on Netflix

Bruna | I Heart Brazil

Every time I turn the TV on, I see the Coronavirus news, no matter the channel. So instead of watching the conventional channels, I’m now binge-watching series on Netflix.

It is an excellent way to forget this stressful situation, and relax for a change since we are all in quarantine here in the Netherlands. I’ve recently found some pretty interesting Brazilian movies on Netflix too. Great timing. I’m not going anywhere.

Video chat activities and games

Caitlin | The Vegan Word

Video chats are great ways to keep in touch with friends and family around the world but what if you want to do something beyond just your regular catch-up call? Zoom and Skype are both free ways to have multi-person calls meaning you can still have games night with your friends (find some games you can play over video here) or even board games night (you can play online board games on your computer and have a video call at the same time). Or, have a movie night — chose a film together, start your video call and press play on the movie at the same time. You can still see your loved ones’ reactions to the film as it happens. A virtual cooking night is also a lot of fun! You and a friend cook dinner at the same time (can be the same dish, or a different one if you don’t have the same ingredients in your kitchen) while chatting via video chat. Then you get to show off your finished dish at the end! Lastly, online exercise videos are a great way to stay fit while staying in, but many of us love going to the gym with a gym buddy. Pick a workout video to do together, start your video chat and hit play at the same time — then enjoy working out ‘alongside’ each other virtually.

The art of Orimoto

Emer and Nils | Let’s Go Ireland

If you are stuck indoors these days and want to do something meaningful, artistic and at the same time aesthetically pleasing, then why don’t you try to learn the art of Orimoto aka Book Origami. Often we wonder what to do with old books that probably won’t be read again. Orimoto is a beautiful way to bring new life to a book in a creative way. If you are looking for a unique present idea, this folded book art comes in handy.

Update your bucket list

Amy Dodd | Oceans to Alpines

One of the things to do instead of freaking out about a pandemic is to update your bucket list. This is a great time to reflect, and look towards the future and plan some big goals for this year or the years to come. Some things to help brainstorm while updating that bucket list is to mix it up and have some easily achievable habits or hobbies, some long-term habits or hobbies, look into local activities and attractions (we never seem to explore our own home towns!), and then, of course, the big dream items that are foreign activities or attractions. This will keep you busy and inspire you to look up some great future activities or destinations.

Organize your photos

Flo Lawnicki | Flo’s Favorites

With the extra time, I’ll be organizing all of my photos into folders.  My photography hobby has led to an accumulation of 68,000 photos on my laptop and 30,000 on my phone.  I’m looking forward to sorting through them and reliving all of the good memories with my family!  We’ve had so many good times in the past.

Video games for travelers

Kay | The Awkward Traveller

Who says you have to leave your couch to travel the world? Whatever game console you have, there are tons of video game titles that will fit any travel lover! For open-world adventure seekers, there are titles like Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Skyrim, which offer beautiful scenery and endless paths to get lost. Lovers of history and culture will enjoy franchises such as Assassin’s Creed and Dynasty Warriors, which blend historical fiction and compelling storytelling. Those that travel for food will have fun playing Overcooked and Cooking Mama, which incorporates recipes from around the world! Best of all, most of these games offer co-op or online multiplayer, so you can play with your friends and family around the world!

Go gardening

Izzy | The Gap Decaders

Gardening is the most amazing therapy there is! Getting your hands into the soil, tending to plants and being outdoors will all help lift your spirits and keep you healthy. Gardening is a great aid to mindfulness, focussing you on something other than negativity and worry. Even planting a small tub or pot will help keep you positive as you watch your plants grow. Try herbs or a hardy summer plant like a bright red geranium to cheer you up!

Create a physical photobook

Steph | A Nomadic Passport

One of the things that really lifts up one’s spirit right now is to create physical photobooks. Hereby it does not matter if you create them digitally and have them shipped to you or if you create them entirely on your own.

Creating photobooks is an amazing creative outlet and helps improve your
mood. It is an activity that makes you focus on the good memories that
you want to capture between the pages.

I have wanted to create photobooks for all of my trips in the last two years for a while now, and now is the perfect time to do it.

Update your book

Talek Nantes | Travels with Talek

I’ve been busy traveling but now, with travel restricted, I will work on updating my book, “Don’t just travel to Cuba, experience Cuba like a local”. Working on a book requires focus and consistency. Now, with limited travel, I’ll finally have time to focus on the update. Everybody has a book in them. This is the time to start putting your thoughts down.  Who knows, it may be a best-seller!

Bake ginger cookies (recipe included)

Josh and Sarah | Veggie Vagabonds

Taking the time to do something for yourself has never been more important and baking is the perfect thing to immerse yourself in. Involving yourself in the process of creating something delicious and having something to show (and munch) at the end of it has a truly overwhelmingly positive impact. 

These vegan ginger cookies are the perfect thing to whip up as they’re super-easy, requiring only 10 ingredients and 1 bowl. Plus, this recipe tastes great throughout the whole cooking process so a taste of the mixture as you go is obligatory. 

Ingredients: 

225 grams of margarine 

300 grams of brown sugar – plus more for coating the cookies 

½ cup agave nectar 

1 tablespoon of vanilla 

450 grams of plain flour 

1 tablespoon of baking powder 

1 tablespoon of ground ginger 

1 tablespoon of cinnamon 

½ teaspoon of ground nutmeg 

2 generous handfuls of crystallized ginger 

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 180°C. 
2. Mix butter and sugar together. 
3. Add the agave and vanilla then mix. 
4. Add the remaining ingredients and mix. 
5. Roll into golf-sized balls, then roll in sugar to coat before placing on a lined baking tray about 3cm apart. 
6. Bake for 10 – 12 minutes. They will seem underdone and soft when they first come out but trust me they harden, if you leave them in longer they will harden even further after baking possibly becoming too hard.

Connect with healing sounds

Narissa | Nomad Girl Tales

Kenya is just getting into the thick of lockdown, and I’ve been spending my time connecting with sacred healing sounds – from taking an online bansuri (bamboo flute) course to learning my favorite Buddhist chant, the Great Compassion Mantra of Avalokitesvara, by-heart with correct Sanskrit pronunciation (yes I am so proud of finally having done this!), to meditating with online recordings from fellow sound healers playing the Tibetan or crystal singing bowls, to listening to binaural beats to soothe my mind.

There’s so much out there in the realm of sound healing and this is the perfect time to tune out the noise, anxiety and negativity, and tune in to sounds that soothe, relax, heal, and uplift. 

Read, read, read!

Now it’s time to finish all the books you started. It is now time to start reading at least a few new books. Check out our list of favorite travel books or reconnect with friends and ask them for recommendations (and how they’re doing)!

Don’t forget to support your favorite travel bloggers by reading their articles. In case you’re looking to expand your list of favorite travel bloggers, go check out all the amazing blogs above by those lovely people who contributed with their advice and ideas on how to deal with those tough times! Thank you in advance for supporting us!

We really hope this list will give you some ideas on how to cope with the pandemic situation and get your mind off the panic! Stay healthy and let’s support each other to overcome the crisis!