As more and more people bar themselves inside their homes amidst the COVID-19 shutdowns, it may be tempting to keep your eyes fixed on the TV or social media news feeds. You might try and keep yourself informed by reading every quarantine update that pops up on your phone—but worrying yourself can be like sitting in a rocking chair: it can give you something to do, but it doesn’t necessarily get you anywhere.

That’s why we’re encouraging our readers to use this time as a gift. Take this rare opportunity and turn the isolation to your advantage; because the world is improved when its occupants are inspired and motivated, rather than anxious and overwhelmed.

First thing you can do is, sign up to receive 3 good news headlines every Monday-Friday in your Inbox, with our Morning Jolt email.

Now, here are 16 tips on how to face this pandemic with positivity and productivity.

1) TAKE THAT COURSE YOU ALWAYS WANTED TO TAKE: There are hundreds of Ivy League courses from schools like Harvard, Princeton, and Yale, that you can take online for free. From Art & Design and Business to Social Sciences, Engineering or Medicine, you are sure to find something to broaden your horizons and fire those sleepy synapsis.

2) COLOR THESE PRINTABLE PAGES: Get out the color pencils and markers because Just Color has some fabulous free downloadable coloring pages on topics like travel, art, nature, and history.

3) ENJOY MUSEUMS: Google Arts and Culture has partnered with more than 2,500 museums and galleries around the world in order to offer virtual tours and online displays of their collections to internet surfers (and if you screenshare with a friend, it’s like you’re touring the museum together!) You can also use the “Send Me Art” texting service courtesy of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.

4) READ A BOOK: Not to brag, but our recently-published book “And Now, The Good News” is a great gift for news junkies…

5) ORGANIZE SMALL AREAS: Clean out and organize your junk door—it will feel like a huge accomplishment.

6) CLEAN YOUR SCREENS: Remove smudges and grime from your screens and keyboards.

7) TALK ON THE PHONE: Now that everyone is focused on social distancing and isolation, you can take some time to recharge old friendships by dropping them a line.

8) DO THE ONCE-A-YEAR JOBS: Flip over and rotate your mattress so you can sleep better; purge your phone of bad photos and contacts you don’t want anymore; dust the bookshelf; clean out your clothes closet and load up a giveaway bag.

9) MAKE A PANDEMIC PLAYLIST: feel-good songs only.

10) FOCUS ON SELF CARE: You now have more time to sit quietly and meditate. Do some stretches in the morning. Soak in a tub with some candles. Scrub your feet. Do a facial masque if you have some on hand. Bring flowers in the house. Use your good china and table clothes to eat a homemade dinner with some soft music playing—and remember to drink plenty of water, especially after the wine.

11) TRY A NEW RECIPE: Make something you “never have time” to cook (Michelin-starred chef Massimo Bottura is posting free cooking lessons to his Instagram account.)

12) SEW THOSE BUTTONS OR SMALL HOLES: Yeah, remember that hole that was left after you ripped the tag off your shirt? Repair it in 15 minutes with some needle and thread.

13) TAKE VITAMINS: People deficient in Vitamin D (and, most of us are) who start taking the supplement every day (400iu/40mcg), can get a 70% reduced risk of contracting any viral (or bacterial) respiratory disease. This is based on a rigorous scientific double blind, placebo study of 10,000 people. If you don’t get enough sunshine, take Vitamin D pills, or eat foods like tuna and egg yolks (watch this intriguing YouTube lecture to learn more).

14) DO SOME PUZZLES: traditional puzzles like crosswords and jigsaws can be wonderfully beneficial for your cognitive health. You can also play online trivia games that benefit good causes for every answer you get correct, such as helping to pay off other people’s student loans or planting trees around the world.

15) WRITE A GOOD OL’-FASHIONED LETTER: There is no limit to just how many different kinds of heartfelt letters you can write to anyone—or anything.

16) LEARN AN INSTRUMENT (BONUS TIP FROM GNN EDITOR): In addition to working for GNN, McKinley also works as a part-time music teacher and staffer at the House of Musical Traditions in Washington DC. Since the local foot traffic has died down, the online shop is offering free shipping on everything—from accordions and balalaikas to guitars and ukuleles. So if you have ever dreamt of picking up an instrument, this is the perfect time to fulfill that dream while also helping out a local business—plus, there is not an instrument under the sun that can’t be learned through YouTube videos.

Do you have any additional tips for using your quarantine time productively? Let us know in the comments below!

Be Sure And Share These Helpful Hints With Your Friends On Social Media — Feature photo by Good News Network