Volunteer Donate

Ways to help families stay happy and hopeful during self-isolation

Whatever your living situation we’ve collected tips from the extended Red Cross family to help your family during self-isolation.

You may have two toddlers under five in the suburbs. Or live with a lively teenager in a small inner-city apartment. Maybe you live alone, with your extended family in one home or in a share house full of students. Whatever the circumstance there are ways to make self-isolation easier.

Tips for families with children

  • For parents who need to work from home, take turns working and parenting.

  • Set up video chat ‘play dates’ with school friends
  • Don’t forget about your own needs. Keep up meditation, yoga and exercise.
  • Take time to prepare meals together, get creative, let the children take control!
  • Perfect time to Marie Kondo your child’s bedroom, together.
  • Got a crafty skill like crochet or knitting – share the skill with your family.
  • Make a short movie – stop motion using household items, a drama or comedy.
  • Not creative? Colouring in is very calming, frame your favourite piece!

Self-improvement ideas

  • Dig out the guitar and commit to learning some tunes.
  • No instrument? Apps for instruments are fun with plenty of online options.
  • Take a course or try first aid training or Pet First Aid online.  
  • Always thought you had a novel in you? A biography? Now’s the time to sit yourself down and get started.
  • Napoleonic wars? Codes? Viticulture? Geography? Impressionism? 1980’s TV shows? Indulge your interest and study it like you’re going on a quiz show.
  • Brain training apps – puzzles and lateral thinking. Crack cryptic crosswords.
  • ABC iView
  • ABC podcasts
  • TED Talks: learn something new with over 3,300 videos  
  • Start an online bookclub with friends or neighbours.
  • Visit a world-class museum or your local library online.
  • Clothes need repairs? There’s a YouTube video for that.

Ideas for maintaining your wellbeing

  • Make regular phone calls or video calls to people you know.
  • Being in close confines can be stressful, watch out for signs of stress among family members.
  • Work out a strategy to defuse any difficult situations or anger.
  • Watch movies or footy games together, virtually.
  • Get some sun every day – keep up the vitamin D.
  • Stay in touch with work colleagues. If you can, working from home could help you stay busy and connected.
  • Self-indulge and put on that hair mask you’ve had in the back of the drawer or give yourself a pedicure.
  • Now’s the time to do those household projects you’ve been putting off.

Ideas for having fun

  • Replace outdoor time, with kitchen dance parties or yoga in the sitting room.
  • If you have access to a garden, go out and pull out the weeds, mow and rake the lawn, trim the hedges, transfer plants, get dirty.
  • Start planning a holiday. Do your research and create your perfect itinerary, where would you stay? What would you see in a day? Where will you eat lunch?
  • Challenge yourself in the kitchen - try a ingredient meal or bake a soufflé. 
  • Sort out all those old photos and videos.

Ways to help others

  • Reach out to others you know who might also be self-isolating.  
  • Share on social the ways that help you stay connected, they can inspire others too. 
  • Post highlights of your day to help spread the positive word.
  • Write a letter to someone. It’s amazing the effect it can have. 
  • Haven’t worn it for years? Try your hand at repurposing and up styling or package up items for donation to your local Red Cross shop
  • Search online for items you can make and donate to others.

You may also be interested in

Tech and other solutions for staying connected with elderly friends and family in the COVID-19 era

A list of bright ideas for connecting and helping the wellbeing of oldies (and others). Made with thanks to our supporters who shared how they are staying in touch.

Read More

Disrupted and disappointed by COVID-19

How to lessen disappointment when holidays and social events are cancelled.

Read More

A card to help your neighbours

An idea we love and a template you can use.

Read More

Right now, we’re expanding and adapting our services to meet the demands of a world responding to COVID-19. More than ever, we need your support to help people stay safe, connected and supported. Please donate if you’re able.

Donate