Keeping your distance & your sanity

As an “expert” in social distancing, here are few recommendations to keep yourself sane. To make it easy, here’s a menu of what’s included:

Media

Podcasts

Comedy Specials

I’ve watched so many comedy specials, but here are the ones that stick out (and likely the ones I’ve watched more than once).

Netflix

Prime Video

  • Ellen Degeneres’ Here and Now: This is a must-see. You’ll reference “oh, that’s not Nancy” and “give it, I got it” for years to come.
  • Jim Gaffigan’s Quality Time
  • Iliza Schlesinger’s War Paint (also available on Netflix)

TV

Netflix

  • Queer Eye: Duh! Need I say more?
  • Schitt’s Creek: I was late in jumping on the Schitt’s Creek bandwagon, but I binged this like I’ve never binged anything before because it is hilarious.
  • Self Made: The most upsetting part of this show is that it is only four episodes.
  • Once Day at a Time: It’s a real shame the next season isn’t being picked up by Netflix, but this is such a good-hearted series.
  • Gilmore Girls
  • Dating Around: This has similar vibes to Love Is Blind (with less drama).
  • Patriot Act: After watching Hasan Minhaj’s Homecoming King, I was so happy when he came out with Patriot Act. It addresses topical issues with comedic commentary and I think that’s a health balance in this day-in-age.
  • The Fix: In a lot of ways, this is similar to Patriot Act, but goes a step further in coming with creative solutions for solving today’s problems.
  • Friends from College: Great cast. Unique content.
  • Gossip Girl: If you were late in watching Gossip Girl like I was, it’s ok to go back and rewatch the iconic New York City lifestyles of teenagers. (Note: I asked my friend who grew up  in NYC if this was depicted accurately and she said, “in some ways, yes, and in other ways, no” which in hindsight didn’t really answer my question.)
  • Northern Rescue: This was a random find for me, and I’m not sure if the series will get picked up for a second season, but I very much enjoyed the family drama.
  • Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal: Basically anything where Shonda Rhimes was involved, I’m watching.
  • Mindhunter: The first season came out so long ago that when the second season finally arrived, I completely forgot what happened. This is for anyone who enjoys true crime.
  • Instant Hotel: An Australian competition to crown a winner for best Airbnb (more or less).
  • Selling Sunset: This is reality TV for real estate.

Hulu

And, for the time being, they are offering HBO shows like Big Little Lies and Veep.

Prime Video

Note: Not all of these are necessarily included with your Prime membership but are available for purchase. 

  • The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel: I love this show for its wittiness, costumes, and uniqueness.
  • Lie to Me: Basically, a show about a human lie detector.
  • What I Like About You: If you have a sister, this is a must-watch. I dreamed of living a life like Val and Holly.
  • House of Lies: Kristen Bell has such range. From a Disney princess to the spin of consulting, this is not for the easily offended.
  • Sex and the City
  • Ellen: Before Ellen Degeneres became a part of our every day afternoons, she had her own sitcom and it is funny.

Movies

I’ve included fewer movies because I feel like people know what they’re looking for when it comes to what they want to watch for a movie day/night.

Netflix

Brene Brown’s Call to Courage doesn’t really fit into any of my media categories but I still want to make sure it is included.

Hulu

Prime Video

Books

Note: If you are a Prime member, you have access to thousands of free Kindle books through Prime Reading, so don’t feel obligated to go buy a bunch of books. 

I have about 20 books sitting unread on my bookshelf, plus 140+ in my Kindle library. I’m planning to knock a few out over the new few weeks. The included books that I’ve read and enjoyed, in no particular order, that I would recommend.

Biographies & Memoirs

Fiction

Mystery, Thriller & Suspense

Romance

The “50 Shades” Romance

Science Fiction & Fantasy

Young Adult

If you have kids or want a lighter read, here are a few of my favorite books from late elementary school into middle school.

Self-care

Activities

  • Puzzles! I donated all my puzzles in my move back to Denver from Seattle, but I’ll be ordering a few from Amazon.
  • Yard work: This may not sound very fun, but now’s the time to get this out of the way. I spent the day raking and feel very accomplished, albeit sore, and now I don’t have to worry about it come spring and summer gatherings.
  • Unsubscribe: I know you’re thinking this seems counterintuitive advice to give as someone who sends email for a living, but “ghost” recipients actually hurt my numbers. Take this time to unsubscribe from the emails you haven’t opened or engaged with in a while.
  • Working out: With fitness studios and gyms doing their part in closing, you can invest in at-home exercises through Obe Fitness, ClassPass, or Fitness Blender or I’ve included my favorite FREE at-home workouts that I do more often than not.
  • Helping out: If you’re feeling helpless, there are a few things you can do.
    • Volunteer your time: Offer to do chores (e.g. yard work) for those that are unable or run errands for those that are at a higher risk of infection.
    • Write or donate: You can do things from the comfort of your home such as writing letters to those who may be quarantined (senior centers, oncology or cardiac floors of a hospital, etc.) or donating to Feeding America, Meals on Wheels, or other similar organizations.
    • Shop online or buy gift cards: Many establishments will suffer by doing their part in temporarily closing, but you can still shop online or buy gift cards to help support them.
    • You can dedicate your time to non-medical tasks such as delivering medicine to patients, restocking shelves, placing orders and cleaning through Good Sam App.
    • Tip the service industry
    • Find a project

If you don’t understand what’s going on and why it’s important to make adjustments, here are a few resources I urge you to read:

Leave a comment