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Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh Live
National
Alasdair Clark

6 tips for beating loneliness and boredom if you are self isolating at home alone

Living alone can be great, but in these challenging times where many are working from home and unable to socialise in the normal way, loneliness can quickly become a problem.

Deep down we know we are all doing our bit to help curb the spread of coronavirus and protect our NHS, but as the weeks go on sticking to the rules might become more challenging as boredom sets in.

And whilst loneliness is a natural human emotion, it can have a real impact on your physical and mental health too.

According to numerous studies, extended periods of isolation can lead to problems with memory, as well harming our general mental wellbeing.

It can also increase a persons risk of drug or alcohol abuse as they find coping mechanisms.

So to help you battle loneliness, Edinburgh Live has put together six activities you can do to reconnect and beat the boredom.

Host a virtual house party

House parties are a no go, and Police Scotland even issued fines to organisers of one in Scotland over the weekend.

So why not organise a virtual get together with your friends instead?

Wales Online recommended the Houseparty app to organise time with your friends.

It includes fun inbuilt games like trivia quizzes and pictionary to keep the banter flowing between rounds. It’s just as good as an evening out and cheaper too.

All you have to do is decide who is in charge of the playlist.

Write a letter to these elderly care home residents in isolation

Many care homes have been forced to close to visitors as they try to shield their residents.

One care home in Penicuik is asking people to email in letters and drawings so residents know we haven't forgotten about them.

If you'd like to send something to the residents of Aaron House email your letter or drawing to: aaronhouse@newcenturycare.co.uk.

Stream a show with your friends

(Photothek/Getty Images)

Missing those trips to the cinema?

Online streaming giant Netflix has a new Party feature makes watching a movie at home more like a cinema experience.

It allows you to host long-distance movie nights with friends and family, so you can synchronise video playback and even add group chats.

Grab some snacks and prepare for a marathon box set binge!

Organise a pub quiz with prizes

Settle that argument about who in your friend group has the best general knowledge with a virtual pub quiz using online video conference software.

You could even include a prize like an online shopping voucher if you ask everyone taking part to chip in a fiver.

Learn a language or a new skill

Now is the perfect time to finally get round to learning a new language or a skill you've always wanted to master.

With many resources available online, often for free, you can set aside some time each day to practice.

You could even use social media to link up with others learning the same language so you can organise practice conversations.

So, dust off that guitar you bought six years ago and get ready to impress your friends and family.

Get arty

Funny man and artist Noel Fielding took to Twitter to organise an art club with his fans.

You could organise something similar too. Just set a theme, the weirder the better, and challenge your friends to see what they come up with.

Make sure you set a deadline each week for everyone taking part to post their arty creations on social media.

For all of the latest updates on coronavirus in Edinburgh, visit our breaking news live blog here.

Another way to stay updated is by joining our new Edinburgh coronavirus news Facebook group.

For the latest guidance on coronavirus from Health Protection Scotland, click here.

The Samaritans is available 24/7 if you need to talk. You can contact them for free by calling 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org or head to the website to find your nearest branch.

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