When you’re doing your part to stop the spread of COVID-19 by following “stay at home” orders, it’s important to find ways to enjoy daily life as much as possible — so we’ve put together this list of links you can explore from your computer or phone while you’re staying in.
The list is geared toward older adults, but offers something for everyone.
See a show from the comfort of your easy chair
- The Metropolitan Opera in New York City is streaming a free title from its Live in HD series every night as long as the company is closed down. The performances begin nightly at 7:30 p.m. Eastern time on the company's home page.
- LA Theater Works broadcasts a recording of a play every week on radio stations nationwide; each week’s broadcast is also available for streaming.
- The Kennedy Center Digital Stage offers music, dance, comedy, theater and more on video.
- Playbill put together a list of 15 filmed Broadway plays and musicals that you can watch on a variety of streaming services, including Amazon Prime, YouTube and Hoopla (an app that connects you with all kinds of free content from your public library).
Learn something new
- In addition to free movies, e-books, language lessons and audiobooks, Open Culture links to more than 1,500 free online classes and lectures from top universities.
- Mather Lifeways offers a range of wellness and education programs, music reviews, live performances and more that you can listen to on the phone. Read more about it, and call (888) 600-2560 to get started.
- Well Connected is a phone and online program with activities, friendly conversation and an assortment of classes and support groups for older adults.
Take a virtual museum stroll
- Google Arts & Culture lets you look around inside some of the world’s great museums, including the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles, the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam and the British Museum in London.
- The Vatican Museum virtual tour gives you a 360-degree view of soaring spaces and priceless artworks.
- Apple created a five-hour virtual walk through the massive State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia, taking you through dozens of galleries, hundreds of works and even live performances.
Dabble in the arts
- Children’s book author Mo Willems is offering a daily “Lunch Doodle” class on the Kennedy Center website.
- The Chrome Music Lab is full of addictive, interactive experiments in rhythm and music.
Move your body and clear your mind
- The National Institute on Aging at NIH has put together a full menu of exercises and workout videos for endurance, strength, balance and flexibility.
- Get a complete workout right in your chair with the Fitness Blender Total Body Chair Workout.
Think about what matters
- Check out the Schaalman Senior Voices Film Library to watch inspiring films that aim to strengthen the well-being of older adults and their communities.
- Visit the Rush Generations Facebook page to hear from a variety of professionals speaking on topics that include safety concerns, chronic fatigue, managing back and neck pain and more.
Remember to find the joy
- Members of the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra collaborated remotely to record an amazing performance of “Ode to Joy,” the final movement of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony.
