1. Ted Talks.
Satisfy your curiosity about just about any subject  under the sun through the Ted Talks site. The site that rare gift of explaining complex issues on just about any subject simply and clearly. The Ted-Ed animations to feed your curiosity.

2. You Tube.
The online video-sharing platform can be a springboard to just about anything that may interest you from the arts, music, culture, even some films and television programmes. It is a wonderful source for tutorials on a wide range of subjects and interests whether it is learning to play a musical instrument, to writing, podcasting, vlogging or working out exercise routines that best suit you.

3. DIY and home renovations.
If DIY is your thing, make sure you plan the job properly. Get the right materials make sure have the right tools. Also pay attention to safety. This may sound like unnecessary mothering but there has been a rise in cases of people seeing doctors because of DIY jobs gone wrong, from such things as falls from ladders or being careless with power tools.  You have the time to plot the job properly. If in doubt about what approach to take seek advice from an experienced assistant at a hardware shop, or consult a DIY book, or visit the internet.

4. Family history.
As we have said before, this is a good time to talk to your parents and grandparents and learn their stories. In doing this you are also positively engaging a loved one in isolation and helping them to focus on positive events. You also are building up your family history for your children and their. The  are a large of  family history websites to help you with your research or to advise you on how best you can build up the history of your family.

5. Radio and television stations.
For many who are not used to accessing the internet, there is still the radio and television to keep us in touch with what is going on in our communities. SBS broadcast Greek programmes at selected times on SBS Radio2 on 93.1 FM or SBS Radio 1 on 1224 AM. And there are the daily Greek news broadcasts on television to keep you up to date on developments in Greece. Victorians can also tune into local community radio station 3XY Radio Hellas on 1422 AM and Rythmos on DAB 1656 AM. Also broadcasting from Melbourne is internet station Fresh Radio. Sydney listeners have 2MM on 1665 AM and Adelaide has their local station Radio ENA on 87.6 FM.

READ MORE: 10+ things to do when in self-isolation

6. Building up mindfulness and wellbeing.
The respected Australian organisation, the Black Dog Institute, offers links through its Digital Tool and Apps page to digital tools and apps that promote mental health and wellbeing which have been developed through recognised  research trials and are accessible anywhere without cost.

7. Board games at home and online.
Even if you are separated from friends you can still play competitive games within the family. There is Tavli and chess to teach the kids, as well as card games and the old board games, like Monopoly, that were designed to bring families together. Online there are sites where you can play a game with a friend/s. Websites such Tabletopia.com offer a host of games (1170)  to play with friends or anyone in the world for free. Another site offering free games is klfoodie.com. A good way to be with friends without focussing on the difficulties we are all facing.

8. De-Cluttering.
This is a time where you have heaps of time on your hands. So use it to think about the things you really need in your life – in short what an opportunity to de-clutter your life. There is the old rule that if you do not use something over six months then you are not likely to use it in a hurry. Go to YouTube for ideas or visits sites, such as becomingminimalist.com , among many others who offer useful tips,.

9. Music.
Turn off the news, listen to music, dance to music, sing, learn a musical instrument, anything that takes your mind to other locations to feed the you that does not live on anxiety but on curiosity, creativity and competition.

10. Art and culture.
We may be in lockdown but arts and culture are not. There are many online events taking place  across Australia right now. For example, you can access the Antipodean Palette exhibition from home as more organisations see the necessity to promote their cultural events online. For example, this month you can look forward to signing on to the Melbourne International Film Festival. A number of musicians are using the intimacy of the Hamer Hall to perform the Vault Sessions; or you can enjoy taking part in  the annual Ballarat Virtual Winter Fest.

To find out more punch in “Online events in Australia (or Greece)” on any internet search engine and you will find that there is plenty going on out there that you can be part of.

♦ Why not share your tips, ideas, or knowledge of online services and websites that can help us take our minds off lockdown. Send you tips to: Alexe@neoskosmos.com.au

READ MORE: 10 things to do: Keep calm and think Greek