Working Out During Coronavirus and More News From This Week

This week we’re switching things up and focusing on moments in the news that caught our eye, kept us informed, lightened the mood, and made us laugh.

Is It Okay To... It's not exactly easy to keep track of all of the recommendations about how to handle self-isolation right now. Many cities and even whole states are in shelter-in-place mode, encouraging residents to stay indoors unless headed out for essentials. Which makes sense on the surface but has left many of us wondering what counts as an essential activity: Walking? Working out? Using the laundromat? It seems that we're going to have more questions than answers for a while, but in the meantime, WIRED put together this video answering some common coronavirus questions.

Pure Soothe SNL cast member and all over hilarious human Chloe Fineman shot her own Open Door and it's incredible. She also made a highlight of her favorite moments as a collection of "pure soothe" content. I asked some of my lovely coworkers what they've been doing to self-soothe during this deeply strange time.

  • Zoe's recipe for a soothing time: "I've been doing a ton of collaborative crossword puzzles. It's nice to use my brain and take a moment away from worrying about everything. Other small pleasures: bird watching, hair braiding, and pizza making."

  • Keith is rediscovering his DVD collection

  • Wes has been keeping things chill by "listening to the radio (both NPR and online music radio streams) and getting in contact with people I haven't spoken with in a while."

  • I've been listening to movie scores and forcing all of my friends to send me photos of themselves as babies.

  • Sydney's soothe moves are as follows: "I've been carving out an hour each day to work out—I can do barre and yoga classes in my studio apartment, but for more intense routines, I've been using my building's stairwell to jump rope and climb the 20 flights of stairs. I've also enjoyed The Daily Social Distancing Show with Trevor Noah on IGTV, and this video of Anthony Hopkins playing piano for his cat."

Important Animal News As people take to the indoors, animals get out and explore. Dolphins have been spotted in the canals of Venice, and while the photo of drunk elephants wasn't new (or true), it's still comforting to look at them having such a nice time. Also, these penguins wandering around the Shedd Aquarium never fails to make me cry.

Hope your weekend is full of soothing stuff!

All products featured on Architectural Digest are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Originally Appeared on Architectural Digest