UPDATED – APRIL 15TH 2020
NEW THINGS TO DO AT HOME IN GENEVA (WHEN YOU’RE IN SELF-QUARANTINE)
by Chené Koscielny and Alana Dunsmore
So, self-isolation is going on a bit longer than expected and finding ways of chilling and killing time at home – provided your symptoms are not too severe, of course – is becoming more difficult.
We have compiled a list of things to do at home in case you have to self-quarantine. We will KEEP UPDATING THE LIST WITH FRESH IDEAS, so check back in when you need more inspiration.
ALSO consult our list of:
How to celebrate a big birthday in self isolation
Is Home Working with the kids unraveling fast? Stay strong with these 7 Tips
Netflix movies and series worth bingeing on
Family things to do in Self-quarantine: Week 1
Family things to do in Self-quarantine:
9 Things to Love about Self – Isolation
Best movies and shows to watch on Disney +
USEFUL INFO such as emergency numbers, shopping websites, vets, dentists and news sites on this LINK
If you’re struggling to cope with anxiety and fear – here are some tips from local experts for remaining calm.
ORDER IN
Whether you need comfort food such as pizza or pasta or crave a healthy poké bowl or sushi, you can order any type of food from many of Geneva’s restaurants using a variety of delivery services, including Über Eats, Smood.ch, Dominos.ch and more.
Many local restaurants who had been forced to close down are offering delivery services – please support them. Search for your favourite restaurants on Smood.ch or on Instagram.
We like Smood.ch because until recently it is one of the only ones to deliver to where we live in Vessy.
HOP Delivery will also deliver from certain pharmacies.
Read our REVIEW of online food services HERE.
BUY YOUR GROCERIES AND DO YOUR RECYCLING ONLINE
Most supermarkets, including Migros and Coop, offer delivery options – but choose your slots early to ensure you get your groceries at your desired time.
Smood.ch has partnered with Migros and also delivers groceries – and it’s easier to find a slot on Smood.ch than on Migros – at least it was when we tried.
For a full list of OTHER delivery options – including local farms and other stores – read our HELPFUL resources article here.
We recently tested Oui Cycle – who delivers hampers of local and organic products to your doorstep and what’s more they take your recyclables away and dispose of them for you at the same time! They were great.
Read our review HERE.
KEEP CALM AND DRINK WINE!
We can’t think of a better way to distress and cope with mass panic, than chilling with a nice glass of wine.
Order wine to your home from some of the local wineries, for example
KEEP THE KIDS ENTERTAINED
Looking for something to keep the kiddos occupied while you try to work or accomplish a few things around the house?
Below is a list of great websites which provide a variety of activity worksheets or colouring sheets to entertain them so you can tick a few things off the to do list!
KiwiCo (2-12+ ages)
education.com
Crayola
Bricks 4 Kidz
Harry Potter – New
Growing Book by book – New
Also check our article: Top 10 FAMILY things to do in self-isolation here
and the follow-up 10 NEW Family things to do in self-isolation here.
If home working with the kids is a bit of a challenge – read these 7 tips from local tutoring experts TutorsPlus for staying strong!
KEEPING EVERYONE ENTERTAINED
TRAVEL AND CULTURE
Had to cancel your Easter holiday plans? This link allows you to travel around the world from the comfort of your home.
Here’s a list to bring some of the world’s most amazing landmarks into your home, including the Empire State Building, the Louvre and The Great Wall of China.
MUSIC
Something a little more local. The Montreux Jazz Festival is sharing sounds from these concerts free of charge for thirty days.
Montreux Jazz Festival
GUILT-FREE READING
If, like us, reading has become a guilty pleasure you never have time for, this is the time to rediscover reading. The city libraries offer a digital library, including 650 English books, as well as audio books.
Download your e-book and enjoy.
AUDIO STORIES
Want someone else to be reading the stories for a change?
Try these cool sites:
WEBSITES
audible.com
storylineonline.net
storynory.com
nextory.ch
World of David Walliams
PODCAST
Story pirates
Sparkle Stories
Story podcast
AT THE MOVIES
For your movie nights (or days – why not?) don’t miss our list of binge-worthy movies and series to watch now on Netflix here
For the best movies and shows to watch on Disney Plus (now in Switzerland – click here
NEW
Know the Netflix or Disney Plus menu off by heart? Check out our new article Best Easter movies online (while supporting cinemas in Geneva) for more options.
KEEP ZEN
Join Thingstodoingeneva’s founder Chené Koscielny (a 500 hour qualified yoga teacher) for FREE weekly yoga classes on Zoom – 1 hour long. Monday mornings and evenings and Wednesday mornings. Email: info@thingstodoingeneva.ch for more info.
MEDITATE AND BE MINDFUL
This seems to be the ideal time to reflect on your life or to clear your head and calm your thoughts with guided meditations aimed at tackling problems like anxiety and sleeplessness – we like the app headspace. The foundation pack is free.
For a great LIVE local meditation group – join Silvia for an online meditation class via Zoom every morning to steady the mind and cultivate stillness
Silvia@themindblisscoaching.com
ALSO read this article about HOW TO MANAGE FEAR AND ANXIETY AT THIS TIME with tips from two local psycho-analysts.
STAY FIT
Leman Bleu offers free evening courses on their channel from Monday to Friday. Plus practice your French at the same time!
BOOTCAMP STYLE WORKOUTS
We like Rockforcefusion – Jameel usually can be found teaching one-on-one fitness classes or bootcamp-style group sessions in Parc Bastion.
Read our review about Jameel CLICK HERE.
Catch his live instagram classes during the confinement period on his instagram account @rokforcefusion
DANCING
In the mood for dancing? Why not? We may as well enjoy ourselves.
Danceareageneva’s instructors are offering online LIVE dance classes on instagram @danceareageneva
FOR THE KIDS – STAYING FIT
WEBSITES:
BUSINESS HELP AND LEARNING NEW SKILLS
WOMEN ROCK SWITZERLAND
Great English Facebook group run by local volunteers – with loads of ideas from cooking to interior design to working from home to Corona virus humour.
It’s a great resources for teaming up with other entrepreneurs across Switzerland, finding new ideas, free courses and collaborating or helping others.
This Facebook group have also created a group specifically for the Geneva’s Old Town residents to help coordinate assisting neighbours in this neighbourhood.
Women Rock Facebook Group.
You could use this time to learn new skills, but don’t put yourself under pressure – it’s a tough situation and everyone finds their own way of dealing with this.
If you do want to learn a new skill – there are countless offers for discounted and free courses to learn anything from digital marketing to languages online.
We do like Pretaparler.ch – ready our review here – for learning French. They’ve been using Zoom to teach French forever and they’re currently offering a series of free business webinars.
Trying to stay positive and pro-active appears to be all we can do at the moment.
Make the best of your time at home.
If you have any suggestions, please share with others in the COMMENT field below.
