Keeping "Safe and Sane" by Being Productive

It’s been a few weeks…or months now (who’s keeping track?) and even the introverts are starting to feel the weight of social distancing and isolation. If the anxiety wasn’t already enough, the additional stress of being limited in your interactions with others and the outdoors only puts more of a damper on the situation we are currently enduring. On that note, if you’ve been enjoying this time off but are starting to look for ways to curb the boredom that is making its presence known, we’ve compiled some of our favorite (mostly free) online resources and activities for you to help close the gap between isolation and normalization.

Did we miss some great links, or was there one you loved? Be sure to share it with us in the comments!

Categories:

Career Levelled Up

Employment & Job Coaching

Health & Wellbeing

Personal Finances

Marketing

Technology

Just For Fun

 

Career Leveled Up

For all of you go getters out there looking to take quarantine (and your resume) to the next level, these are for you! All of the following are platforms that offer a range of courses that have both free and paid options. From marketing to language to science and everything in between, you can easily add a class to your quarantine schedule!

Coursera: Check out the course catalog here!

Cost: Free courses, and paid programs for certifications and degrees

Why we love Coursera: From Yale, Stanford, Harvard, and plenty of other schools, you can learn a variety of topics from some of the best in the business on this platform.

 

SkillShare: From the creative to analytical, learn a new skill today!

Cost: 2 free months with premium

Why invest in SkillShare: If you’ve ever wanted to learn that advanced excel trick your boss has been using or understand the basics of Adobe, SkillShare lets you do so on your own time at your own pace.

 

Career Contessa: Learn more here!

Cost: Free

Why check them out? In 6 words: Webinars, podcasts, coaching and endless resources.

 

Udemy: Learn on your schedule here!

Cost: Ranges from free-$200

What do you want to learn? Choose from thousands of courses and certification programs that are led by industry experts.

 

Harvard Business Free Classes: Go to Harvard today!

Cost: Free - $3,000

Have you always dreamed of going to Harvard? Well now you can…virtually. With a diverse course selection, fulfill your ivy league dreams from home!

 

Alison: Any topic, any time!

Cost: Free and paid options with certificates

Ready to take your resume to the next level? This platform is the go-to for learning job applicable skills on your own time.

 

Employment & Job Coaching

Have you found yourself questioning what’s next? From determining your next step in your career, going back to school or starting a business, here are some resources to get you on the track that works for you.

 

Career Contacts: Explore viable opportunities here!

Why visit their website? Catering to both the diverse needs of employer and employee, check out their job board and career-focused blog for trending industry insight. YWiB Vancouver members also receive 15% off their services!

 

Better Your Best: Find out how you can better YOUR best here!

Why we love them: They offer 1-on-1 coaching opportunities and digital resources to help you reach your fullest potential.

 

Careers By Design: Learn about the team here!

Why should you check them out? Get expert career advice, resume writing and interview coaching on a 1-on-1 basis.

 

Rebecca Beaton: Check her out here!

How can Rebecca help you in your career? If you are unsure of your next step or don’t know where to start, find some clarity with Rebecca’s 1-on-1 coaching.

Kristin Constable: Click here to learn more!

Why we love working with her: Kristin is a passionate supporter of entrepreneurs working with individuals like YOU in workshops and 1-on-1 coaching sessions to help you reach your goals.

 

Health and Wellbeing

From trying to learn what ‘work life balance means’ when you are doing both in a 500sq apartment to the sheer stress brought on by the pandemic, maintaining a healthy lifestyle is key to quarantine sanity. With countless resources and virtual classes to take part in, take your pick and give it the old college try, for your sanity of course.

Virtual Yoga Class, 30 Days of Yoga: Let’s get flexible!

Cost: Free

The Science of Well Being Course: Find it here!

Cost: Free

Mindful Meditation Yoga Class: Check the schedule here!

Cost: Free on Facebook Live

Dance Class with Vancouver Harbor Dance Studio: Sign up now!

Cost: From $10-17 per class 

Barre Fitness Full Workout: Step up to the barre here!

Cost: Free

Full Body Workout with SoulCycle Instructor Daniela @ 12pm daily: Join the team!

Cost: Free on Instagram

Orange Theory Fitness: Drop in on a class here!

Cost: Free on IGTV

 

Personal Finances

Before you start stressing at the word ‘finance,’ know that we aren’t suggesting you overhaul your finances in one day, or even a week for that matter. But at 10 minutes a day (or more if you like; these are self-guided courses) you can build a foundation of the basics of managing your personal finances.

My Financial Mountain: Understanding Your Path to a Solid Financial Foundation: Check it out here!

Cost: Free with SkillShare subscription

Personal Finances - Manage your Money Effectively: Learn more!

Cost: Free for the course, varying price for certification

Personal Finance 101: Everything you need to know: Get started here!

Cost: Free for the course, varying price for certification

 

Marketing

If you have a passion for marketing or just looking for ways to strengthen your social media presence, there are a plethora of certifications, courses and e-books at the ready. Here are some credible go-to options:

Inbound Marketing Certification Course: Get started here!

Cost: Free

Content Marketing Certification Course: Check it out here!

Cost: Free

SEO Training Course: Find out more here!

Cost: Free

Internet Marketing For Smart People: Learn more here!

Cost: Free

Viral Marketing and how to create contagious content: Start the course here!

Cost: Free

Social Media 101: Check it out here!

Cost: Free

Technology

Whether coding is your jam and you just want to brush up on your skills, or if HTML are just four letters grouped together to you, there’s a course for that. Tap into that curiosity and explore some of the (mostly) free courses to get you started!

Code Academy: Get your code on here!

Cost: Free and premium options

Free Code Camp: Start code camp here!

Cost: Free

Microsoft: Start your course here!

Cost: Free and paid certificate options

 

 

Just For Fun

As concerts are postponed, tourist hotspots are closed and happy hours equate to drinking alone with your besties doing the same on your computer screen, life as we know it has changed. But with that, we are lucky to have the opportunity to take part in activities that we never had the chance to before. From cooking with the pro’s to waltzing through the famous Louvre in Paris, check out what you can now do from the comfort of your living room!

 

Virtual Zoo Tours

Georgia Aquarium Beluga Cam: Watch here!

Cost: Free

 

Houston Zoo Rhino Cam: Check it out here!

Cost: Free

 

Monterey Bay Moon Jellyfish Cam: Watch here!

Cost: Free

 

Virtual Cooking Classes

Cooking Class with Christina Tosi of Milk Bar: Join the ‘Bake Club’ here!

Cost: Free on IGTV

 

Join an Italian (or any other cuisine) cooking class: Check it out here!

Cost: Subscription to MasterClass for $20/month  

 

From Queer Eye to Quar Eye with Antoni: Start cooking here!

Cost: Free on Instagram

 

Virtual Museum Tours

The Louvre Virtual Tour: Take the tour!

Cost: Free

 

Van Gogh Museum Tour: Take the tour here!

Cost: Free

 

The MET Museum Tour: Tour the MET here!

Cost: Free

 

Virtual Concert/Tours: Take in the show here!

Cost: Free

 

Duolingo: Learn the language here!

Cost: Free

 

Paint Night: Take a class here!

Cost: $15 Per event


 For even more ideas check out 10 Tips for Productively Working from Home, and Creating "Normalcy" Through Digital Communities!


Blog post by Georgia Crawshaw. Georgia is a Social Media Coordinator for YWiB Vancouver.