Which activities have been a source of stress relief while social distancing? [NEW POLL]
Small businesses and organizations are finding unique and creative ways to continue to bring their services and offerings to the public while quarantines and social distancing guidelines remain in place. Virtual content such as tours, art lessons, cooking demonstrations, and activities for kids are being created and consumed at an incredible pace.
“In addition to searching for new video entertainment content, other categories such as fitness and wellness, gaming live streams and cooking are all likely to be contributing to connected device streaming gains,” marketing research firm Nielsen said in a recently released report, noting that March 2020 streaming from 25-54-year-olds jumped almost 100% year-over-year.
In some city environments where it can be more difficult to access open, green space and still maintain responsible social distancing, these online options can offer an alternative outlet. In addition to virtual content being offered by The Trustees on thetrustees.org/athome, a Boston-focused platform “Harbor at Home” has been launched by One Waterfront partner Boston Harbor Now, bringing the beauty of the City’s harbor to those at home, with unique content in the categories of fitness, history, arts, nature and culture. The offerings are being regularly refreshed, and at the time of publication included:
Harbor Yoga with Casey Silvia from the East Boston waterfront,
A "historian at home" session with Carl Herzog, giving a glimpse into the storied past of Old Ironsides,
An Aztec dance and drum session with East Boston's Veronica Robles Cultural Center, and,
A segment with Bent Water Brewing in Lynn, explaining the significance of water during the beer brewing process.
More virtual programming being updated on a regular basis can be found on thetrustees.org/athome, where Trustees engagement managers from across the state are creating activities including barnyard tours, story hours, cooking lessons, crafts, ecology demonstrations, and firepit streams, with something available for all ages.
Both platforms for virtual content present opportunities for creativity, for learning something new, or for moments of calm. And finding ways to exercise the mind and utilize creative skills can also help to calm anxiety during these unprecedented times.
"This is an opportunity to try something new and do things we haven’t had time for,” reads a ‘Top Ten COVID-19 Anxiety Reduction Strategies’ blog post from the Anxiety and Depression Association of America. “Organize a messy room, paint a fence, clean the garage, edit the photos on your phone, clean a rusty bike and take it for a ride, and play a board game-remember those? You can also learn a new skill or start a new hobby from videos on You Tube or various apps and websites."
For the new One Waterfront poll this month, we want to know: Whether you've been stuck at home, or are an essential worker who has continued to serve our communities, which of these activities has been a source of stress relief for you?
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To learn more about what One Waterfront is doing to build more open, green space in the City of Boston, click here, and to learn more about The Trustees virtual content, visit: thetrustees.org/athome.