The Best of Hong Kong
Lifestyle News
By The Loop HK Staff | February 18th, 2020

With the COVID-19 outbreak, we’re all staying home a little more these days. That can be difficult as we’re all so used to going out to socialize and have fun, especially in Hong Kong where apartments are so small. If you’re starting to get a little bit of cabin fever and are bored of staying home, here are a few ideas that’ll bring a little fun back into your life.

Catch Up With Friends

We’re social creatures, so it’s essential that you maintain your relationships – and not just with text messages. Use free video call apps (Facetime, Whatsapp, Skype, Voxer) to have a good old catch-up with friends. You can even mimic social experiences by having dinner or watching a movie together!

Tidying Up with Marie Kondo
Photo: Marie Kondo / Facebook

Go Full-On Marie Kondo on Your Space

It’s easy to put off cleaning and organizing when you’re busy, which is why there’s no better time to whip your home into shape. Start by watching “Tidying Up with Marie Kondo” on Netflix. When you’re suitably inspired, start organizing everything from your closet to your kitchen – we promise it’ll feel a lot better staying home in a clean apartment!

Take an Online Course

Dedicate your time to picking up some new skills, whether it’s a fun hobby or something that’ll look good on your resume. Whether you want to improve your photography and learn an instrument or finally get to grips with SEO and learn about Shakespeare, you’ll find a plethora of online courses. Try Skillshare, Udemy, Coursera, or Oxford Short Courses.

Learn a Language

Learning a language requires a bit of time investment – and luckily, you probably have plenty of that right now. Use apps like DuoLingo, Rosetta Stone, Babbel or Memrise to quickly pick up a new language. Then start dreaming of your next vacation and how you’ll practically be a local with your new language skills.

Pick Up an Instrument

Most of us probably had some kind of rudimentary musical education, whether that was a guitar or piano or perhaps just a recorder. It may have been awhile since you indulged, but why not pick it up again and let your creative side free? Not only will it be fun, but it could also be a good stress reliever, too.

Binge-Watch TV

Pop some corn, open a bottle of wine (or perhaps whip up some hot chocolate in this surprising cold snap) and snuggle down on the couch to binge-watch some TV. Fire up a streaming service like Netflix or Amazon Prime and start making your way through the many TV shows and movies on offer. If you need some suggestions, here’s our pick of Netflix’s February lineup!

Read A Good Book

We’re usually too busy to read much these days, but there really is nothing like curling up with a good book. If you’re any kind of bibliophile, you’ve probably already got a pile of unread books just waiting to be read. If not, browse Book Depository for some great finds – they’re cheap, and they’ll be delivered pretty quickly (and with no delivery fee!).

Perfect Some Gourmet Recipes

Unleash your inner Nigella Lawson (or perhaps you’re more of a Gordon Ramsay) by heading into the kitchen and perfecting some delicious meals. Bonus: you could throw some epic dinner parties!

Play Some Games

Have a little fun by playing some games. Break out childhood classics like Monopoly and Twister, get strategic with Battleship or Carcassone, or maybe just fire up the old X-Box. If you really want to challenge yourself, why not attempt one of those detailed 1,000-piece puzzles?

Work Up a Sweat

Just because you’re stuck at home doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be working out. With so many apps and online videos available, there’s really no excuse! Try Sweat with Kayla for intense 28-minute workouts; Pocket Yoga for flows; Sworkit for effective bodyweight workouts; or Qinetic for group-class style exercises like HIIT and Zumba.

Indulge in Some Self-Care

This is the perfect time to just relax. Light some candles, put on some soothing music, and pop on a face mask. Or perhaps for you, it looks more like journaling, throwing a private dance party or meditating. Whatever makes you feel good and leaves you happy and relaxed, just do it.

Do Some Life Admin

Fair cop: there are plenty of things that just fall to the wayside when we’re busy. Maybe you need to check on your insurance, organize your investments, or planning your next holiday. Whatever it is, you have the time to do it now, so get to it.

Re-Design Your Space

If you’ve ever thought you home could use a little refresh, now’s the time. Move some furniture about, order some cute decorative items, or perhaps even do some painting. You’ll have a new perspective when you’re living in a space that feels new.

Do Some Shopping

Sometimes, the urge to make use of your credit card strikes. Luckily, even if you can’t venture out, there’s online shopping.
So get to browsing and order some fun things that you can look forward to. If you need some inspiration, here are some international stores that deliver to Hong Kong – or perhaps you’re more into wine or fashion?

Sleep

When all else fails, just catch up on your sleep so that when you’re ready to head out again, you’re raring to go.

    • By The Loop HK Staff | February 18th, 2020

    With the COVID-19 outbreak, we’re all staying home a little more these days. That can be difficult as we’re all so used to going out to socialize and have fun, especially in Hong Kong where apartments are so small. If you’re starting to get a little bit of cabin fever and are bored of staying home, here are a few ideas that’ll bring a little fun back into your life.

    Catch Up With Friends

    We’re social creatures, so it’s essential that you maintain your relationships – and not just with text messages. Use free video call apps (Facetime, Whatsapp, Skype, Voxer) to have a good old catch-up with friends. You can even mimic social experiences by having dinner or watching a movie together!

    Tidying Up with Marie Kondo
    Photo: Marie Kondo / Facebook

    Go Full-On Marie Kondo on Your Space

    It’s easy to put off cleaning and organizing when you’re busy, which is why there’s no better time to whip your home into shape. Start by watching “Tidying Up with Marie Kondo” on Netflix. When you’re suitably inspired, start organizing everything from your closet to your kitchen – we promise it’ll feel a lot better staying home in a clean apartment!

    Take an Online Course

    Dedicate your time to picking up some new skills, whether it’s a fun hobby or something that’ll look good on your resume. Whether you want to improve your photography and learn an instrument or finally get to grips with SEO and learn about Shakespeare, you’ll find a plethora of online courses. Try Skillshare, Udemy, Coursera, or Oxford Short Courses.

    Learn a Language

    Learning a language requires a bit of time investment – and luckily, you probably have plenty of that right now. Use apps like DuoLingo, Rosetta Stone, Babbel or Memrise to quickly pick up a new language. Then start dreaming of your next vacation and how you’ll practically be a local with your new language skills.

    Pick Up an Instrument

    Most of us probably had some kind of rudimentary musical education, whether that was a guitar or piano or perhaps just a recorder. It may have been awhile since you indulged, but why not pick it up again and let your creative side free? Not only will it be fun, but it could also be a good stress reliever, too.

    Binge-Watch TV

    Pop some corn, open a bottle of wine (or perhaps whip up some hot chocolate in this surprising cold snap) and snuggle down on the couch to binge-watch some TV. Fire up a streaming service like Netflix or Amazon Prime and start making your way through the many TV shows and movies on offer. If you need some suggestions, here’s our pick of Netflix’s February lineup!

    Read A Good Book

    We’re usually too busy to read much these days, but there really is nothing like curling up with a good book. If you’re any kind of bibliophile, you’ve probably already got a pile of unread books just waiting to be read. If not, browse Book Depository for some great finds – they’re cheap, and they’ll be delivered pretty quickly (and with no delivery fee!).

    Perfect Some Gourmet Recipes

    Unleash your inner Nigella Lawson (or perhaps you’re more of a Gordon Ramsay) by heading into the kitchen and perfecting some delicious meals. Bonus: you could throw some epic dinner parties!

    Play Some Games

    Have a little fun by playing some games. Break out childhood classics like Monopoly and Twister, get strategic with Battleship or Carcassone, or maybe just fire up the old X-Box. If you really want to challenge yourself, why not attempt one of those detailed 1,000-piece puzzles?

    Work Up a Sweat

    Just because you’re stuck at home doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be working out. With so many apps and online videos available, there’s really no excuse! Try Sweat with Kayla for intense 28-minute workouts; Pocket Yoga for flows; Sworkit for effective bodyweight workouts; or Qinetic for group-class style exercises like HIIT and Zumba.

    Indulge in Some Self-Care

    This is the perfect time to just relax. Light some candles, put on some soothing music, and pop on a face mask. Or perhaps for you, it looks more like journaling, throwing a private dance party or meditating. Whatever makes you feel good and leaves you happy and relaxed, just do it.

    Do Some Life Admin

    Fair cop: there are plenty of things that just fall to the wayside when we’re busy. Maybe you need to check on your insurance, organize your investments, or planning your next holiday. Whatever it is, you have the time to do it now, so get to it.

    Re-Design Your Space

    If you’ve ever thought you home could use a little refresh, now’s the time. Move some furniture about, order some cute decorative items, or perhaps even do some painting. You’ll have a new perspective when you’re living in a space that feels new.

    Do Some Shopping

    Sometimes, the urge to make use of your credit card strikes. Luckily, even if you can’t venture out, there’s online shopping.
    So get to browsing and order some fun things that you can look forward to. If you need some inspiration, here are some international stores that deliver to Hong Kong – or perhaps you’re more into wine or fashion?

    Sleep

    When all else fails, just catch up on your sleep so that when you’re ready to head out again, you’re raring to go.