Our Team’s Jigsaw Puzzle Game Has Been Tight During COVID-19
Let me start by saying that I was into puzzles before they became big (#Hipster). I started doing the 1,000-piece ones as soon as the pieces were no longer a choking hazard. As a kid, it was a special time I got to spend with my mom. As an adult, it’s a stress reliever.
When quarantine was looming, I already had an arsenal of about 10 or 12 puzzles that I knew I could redo. But I wanted something new to look forward to — something other than the box of Fudge Stripe cookies and giant pack of Swedish fish I’d just bought. So I went to Target and made my way to the puzzle section (which I could do with my eyes closed).
Imagine my astonishment when there were zero puzzles left. Zero. None. Zilch. I checked Amazon. An overpriced toy store. Same thing.
This had never happened before. COVID-19 was already cramping my style. But this was the rotten cherry on top of my melted sundae. No puzzles? I was DONE.
My mom and I finally snagged a few left on the Barnes & Noble website and resigned ourselves to redoing old ones when these were finished.
Pandemic, Puzzles, And Profits
We were not alone. It seemed like literally everyone in the US had decided to jump on the puzzle bandwagon with an unknown number of weeks (hah — little did we know) at home on the horizon.
The US game company Ravensburger had a 370% surge in puzzle sales in the last week of March/first week of April, 2020. They were selling an average of about 20 puzzles per minute in North America, compared to 7 per minute in 2019.
Other companies saw similar increases. Some even reported an increase by as much as 1,000%.
Puzzle makers across the country struggled to keep up with the massive uptick in orders, partly due to problems created by the need to social distance in warehouses. But that didn’t stop these dedicated companies from committing to fulfilling orders. For instance, the online retailer Puzzle Warehouse went from selling about 1,000 puzzles per day to 10,000 each day — as well as experiencing associated shipping delays — leading them to hire 30 new employees.
The Health Benefits Of Jigsaw Puzzles
It’s not just that people were bored being stuck at home. Jigsaw puzzles actually have therapeutic benefits. Completing a puzzle has been shown to reduce stress — which is something almost everyone needs right now.
Other benefits include improvements in:
- Memory (especially short-term)
- Cognition
- Concentration
- Visual-spatial reasoning
- Problem-solving
- Creativity
- Productivity
If you have children at home, doing puzzles together is a great way to bond, teach them about collaboration, and get them off of their screens.
The CareContent Team = All In
Alright. Enough jabber about jigsaw. Take a look at how the CareContent team’s puzzle game was on point over the last few months.
We’ll start with Lynette. She may have only done one puzzle, but she made up for it by gifting one to Natalie, taking up arts and crafts, and choosing a super cute one for the one she did complete.
Let’s move on to Nicole. Nicole wasn’t as into the puzzles herself, but her [adorable] daughters were.
Okay, now we’re getting into the serious puzzlers.
Natalie did six puzzles.
This was from Lynette!
And this was from a team gift to Natalie and her husband, Brandon, who got married in 2020.
And now …
Yes, I wrote this article. But I’m going to be completely not humble and give myself the award for #1 Team Puzzler.
I did at least 12, but I didn’t take pictures of them all. Here are some of my favorites:
This is one I ended up hanging in my room.
This is one my family got my mom for Mother’s Day.
My tiny nephew did this one. I guess it runs in the family.
Even my cat, Twyla, got in on the game. And speaking of which, this is who I have to blame …
… for this CATastrophe (look closely):
Thanks, Twy. Thanks.
Anyway …
Happy National Puzzle Day from the CareContent team!
How To Get Some Alone Time While Living In Tight Quarters — Even During A Pandemic
Recently, a daytime talk show host said that her 15 minutes of bathroom time has become precious to her. A year ago, that would sound like a strange statement. But when people are largely staying at home due to social distancing, it actually sounds pretty normal — and definitely accurate for many.
Whether you’re in a state that’s still largely shut down or one that’s entering phases of reopening, the COVID-19 pandemic is not gone. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to recommend staying at home whenever possible. And for people who do not live alone, this can mean more time constantly being around others and struggling to find some alone time.
But alone time is important — not just for your sanity but for other reasons, as well.
Alone Time: The Science-Backed Benefits
- Improves stress management
- Increases happiness
- Boosts productivity
- Sparks creativity
- Increases empathy for others
- Provides you with insight into who you are as a person
Source: Forbes
For celebrities with their sprawling mansions or Americans who live in rural areas with large plots of land, this may be relatively easy (though it can certainly feel stuffy in its own way). But for those of us living in a smaller space or a full house, the tight quarters may be enough to make you want to spend not just 15 minutes in the bathroom alone — but the entire day.
While there’s no magical fix to making your house larger overnight, there are ways to get some alone time during the pandemic.
1. Utilize places of solace, like your car.
Hiding in the bathroom may work for a little while, but if you have children, they’ll be knocking on your door before you know it. If you don’t have children, the people you share a house with will wonder if you’re okay, and they won’t be able to use the facilities themselves (assuming that you don’t have an extra bathroom).
Don’t worry — there are other places you can find solace, such as your car. No, you don’t need to get in it and drive away, but you can use it as a space for some alone time. Listen to music or your favorite podcast, talk on the phone, sit and meditate, or do nothing at all. The beauty is that there won’t be anyone asking you for a quick favor (because everybody knows those “Got a sec?” requests are never just one second).
Even if you’re just sitting in your car in front of your house, it allows you to respect social distancing rules and avoid public places while still getting that solitude you truly need.
2. Get outside (safely).
Depending on where you live, there are likely some places where you can get outside and still maintain distance. The more obvious places, such as a local park or nearby trail, are a great start. But if you’re a city dweller or looking for some change in scenery, there are other places that offer some space for some “me time,” such as:
- A rooftop
- An empty parking lot
- An open running track
Some cities, like Chicago and Oakland, are also designating some streets as “slow streets” or “shared streets.” These are intended to open up streets to accommodate walkers, runners, and bikers in addition to local traffic that are required to drive a bit slower than normal.
Whether you go for a walk, a jog, or simply pop up a lawn chair and sit down with a book, these are all places to safely distance while spending some alone time outside.
3. Put it on the calendar.
When all else fails, you may need to seek out some space within the confines of your own home. While this may sound impossible (particularly if you have little ones), it’s doable — especially if you schedule your alone time so everyone knows not to bother you.
If you and your partner are both working from home right now, take a look at your schedules and workflow. Find some time slots a few days a week where you can both alternate managing the kids.
If it’s just you and your children at home, consider planning your alone time for when they’re occupied and safe, such as while they’re taking a nap or watching their favorite television show in the next room.
Even if you don’t have children — or they’re older and don’t need to be watched — it may still be helpful to let everyone know you’re off-limits for the time being. Put your alone time in writing somewhere as if it were a doctor’s appointment or another meeting.
A Note About Multitasking
Spending time on your own is critical to your well-being, but it defeats the purpose if you try to do a dozen other tasks during your alone time.
Think of your body like your cell phone — if you want to charge it efficiently, you need to put it on the charger and leave it alone. Playing around with it while it’s regaining power takes away from its ability to recharge.
During your alone time, don’t try to multitask. This means no meetings, no quick-checks of your email, and no other people. Train yourself to appreciate solitude — your mental and physical health will thank you for it.
Do you want to create COVID-19-related content for your healthcare organization’s website? Let us know!
Social Distancing, Quarantine, And Isolation: What’s The Difference And Why Do They Matter?
Why Are Social Distancing, Quarantine, And Isolation Important?
Person to person — that’s how the novel coronavirus spreads. It does so easily and sustainably through tiny droplets in the air that can land in your nose or mouth — or even be inhaled into your lungs. Currently, there is no vaccine to prevent COVID-19, so the best way to protect yourself is by avoiding exposure entirely through social distancing, quarantine, or isolation.
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Staying Connected While Staying Away
Social interaction is important for your well-being both physically and mentally. Try keeping in touch by video chatting; setting up virtual game nights, dinners, or happy hours; joining a virtual workout class — or even picking up the phone for a regular old phone call.
Don’t let content creation take a back seat during COVID-19. Let us help you keep your audience engaged and informed.
“You Need To Get A Hobby” Is Not An Insult During Coronavirus Quarantine
The COVID-19 pandemic is continuing, and the quarantine life is slowly but surely becoming the norm.
You may find yourself with extra time on your hands and in need of something fun to do. You might have the kids at home and be adjusting to home-schooling. If you are an essential worker, you may be braving the storm.
Whether you suddenly have your entire day free or you’re just as busy as ever, it’s important to take a break for yourself and do something fun. It will help you destress and get through these difficult times. And what better way to do that than take up that hobby you’ve been thinking about for years?
Learn Ballet
Or hip-hop. Or tap. Dance studios and teachers from around the world are offering free or low-cost dance classes for students of all levels that you can stream right in your living room. You don’t need to have the right shoes or wear a leotard — just make sure you’re on a floor where you won’t slip, and wear something that you can easily move in.
This is a great way to get moving and keep up physical activity while doing something that’s a little different than your normal workout routine.
Check out some of these sites to learn about free and low-cost classes:
- Pointe.com: This is a list of classes. The cheaper ones are closer to the bottom, so scroll down.
- TapDanceLessons.com: There are both free and paid classes for all experience levels.
- Fred Astaire: These are technically couples’ dances, but they are encouraging people who are socially distancing to still take the classes and stand six feet apart — if you can get this on video, it will probably be a major laugh later.
Become A Broadway Star
Well, at least in your head.
Broadway Weekends at Home is offering free online musical theatre classes (via Zoom) taught by Broadway and West End professionals. And for Broadway fans, this is hard-core geeking out time. Sarah Crane from the touring cast of Mean Girls recently taught actual choreography from the show, and Hannah Shankman from the Broadway cast of Wicked gave a talk on the process of making it to Broadway.
These classes max out at 100 participants, but you can find plenty of other classes, seminars, and chats with the stars. Check out Playbill.com’s list of upcoming activities.
And for the ultimate geeking-out for Broadway wannabes and musical theatre fans, there are often opportunities to perform in front of the artists for personal feedback or to submit a video of yourself singing to be part of a global digital chorus. These have deadlines for submissions, but keep checking out Playbill.com’s site under “Theatre Alternatives” for current opportunities.
Master An Instrument
Playing an instrument isn’t only fun, but it also has health benefits. People who play music have been shown to have better emotional release and decreased anxiety — which might be exactly what you need right now.
Learning to play does involve investing in an instrument if you don’t already have one. If you do have one, brush off those piano keys or dig out the guitar that’s been sitting in your storage closet. There are websites offering lessons for free or at a minimal cost. For example, PianoNet.com offers low-cost lessons (monthly and annual plans), and they have some classes for free on their sister-site, PianoLessons.com. You can also check out guitar and ukulele lessons. (Check out YouTube for free lessons, too.)
You can buy or download free sheet music on sites like Musicnotes.com, which also has an app so you can look at the music without printing it.
Get Into Coding
Quarantine might not be enough time to learn enough skills to create a sophisticated website that becomes the next Facebook. But there are many online classes (including lots of free ones) where you can learn the basics of coding. It’s not as daunting as it might seem, and it is actually very rewarding to play around with codes and see the results.
Plus, if you are going to be on the job hunt soon, having even the most basic programming skills can make your resume stand out.
Check out this round-up of Bill Gates’s favorite free online coding classes for beginners.
Volunteer
It’s common to hear people say that they wish they could volunteer but they just don’t have the time.
The good news is that now, you might finally have that time. The even better news is that you don’t need to risk exposure or even leave your couch to help others. Take advantage of virtual volunteer opportunities. For example, the smartphone app Be My Eyes connects you to blind and low-vision people who need help with everyday tasks like checking expiration dates. You act as their eyes via video call.
Or, try Crisis Text Line. Social distancing and the fear of the virus have taken a toll on many people’s mental health. Crisis Text Line offers free 24/7 support for those going through a crisis. If you’re over 18, you can receive free training to become a Crisis Counselor.
And if you are okay going out, consider doing grocery or pharmacy runs for people who are having trouble getting out. Many delivery services are overwhelmed, leaving people desperate for food or medicine with no way to get it. Just be sure to follow precautions like wearing gloves, and washing your hands with soap and water.
Hone Your Home Improvement Skills
Get crafty.
Paint walls with blackboard, whiteboard, or magnetic paint. You don’t need to do the whole wall — just a square does the trick (with the help of painters’ tape). These are super helpful if you work from home and like making schedules or idea boards, or if you want to give your kids something fun to do that doesn’t involve screen time.
DIY shelving is also an easy project. You can buy slabs of wood cut to the exact length you need at hardware stores like Home Depot. These stores are still open, and most have curbside pick-up so you can order ahead and not have physical contact with anyone. Then install, paint, stain, wallpaper — follow those creative instincts.
And speaking of wallpaper …
This is a fantastic time to experiment with removable wallpaper. These are just rolls that look like wrapping paper and don’t require any prep work. They peel off easily, without leaving any damage, which is especially great if you live in an apartment. You don’t need to stick to walls — removable wallpaper works for ugly bathroom floors (if you get the waterproof kind) or outdated countertops, too.
Check out this before (tiles so ugly I wouldn’t take a full-room picture) and after (the magic of wallpaper):
Create Lesson Plans For Your Kids
This might not sound like a hobby. However, you’d be surprised how fun it can actually be.
Teachers are posting their own lessons, but why not take the opportunity to customize lessons and tailor them to your kids’ interests and needs? Make fun flashcards, come up with arts and crafts projects, etc. You will find that it’s not only much more fun that it sounds — it’s also a really great opportunity to learn more about your kids’ interests and learning styles so you can help them and advocate for them in the future.
Make Your Debut As The Next Low-Budget Filmmaker
There is a series of [totally underrated] videos on YouTube that are insanely low-budget remakes of tech-heavy movies. They use household items like a computer keyboard for the ship in Titanic and Pringles cans and a toilet seat for the Quidditch Pitch in Harry Potter.
This will definitely take creativity and a good amount of time. But fortunately, depending on your job, time may be much easier to come by these days.
