Our Favorite Online Resources for Adjusting to Life at Home
As many of us have discovered over these past weeks and months, transitioning to life (mostly) at home comes with its challenges. In an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19, we’ve given up many of our go-to workouts, dining experiences, cultural activities, and various other hobbies and distractions — and while our collective distancing efforts have certainly paid off, these necessary adjustments have changed our day-to-day lives in significant ways.
In hopes of easing this transition, those of us at Malibu Beach Inn would like to share some of our favorite resources for not only adapting to life at home, but thriving. These online tools are designed to make things like physical activity, mindfulness, creative parenting, and even learning something new as accessible as possible.
Virtually visit the J. Paul Getty Museum for a cultural immersion from home.
Photo: Bobak Ha’Eri via Wikimedia Commons/CC BY
If you’re craving a bit of culture to break up the cycle of Netflix and the news, turn to one of Malibu’s most prized art institutions for an at-home immersion. While the Getty Villa’s lush, Roman-inspired grounds and Mediterranean antiquity collections are closed for now, the Getty Center’s world-renowned galleries are accessible through several online avenues.
Using Google Street View technology, Google Arts & Culture offers a simulated walk-through of the J. Paul Getty Museum, as well as several of its online exhibits. Or, if you’re particularly interested in learning about their Michelangelo: Mind of the Master exhibition, the Getty also offers a free audio tour on their website, paired with up-close images of works by the Italian visionary. (Learn more about the Getty’s digital offerings, including an expansive virtual library and two art podcasts, here.)
Sweat it out with a free trial of Peloton’s app.
Even if you don’t have the brand’s signature bike or treadmill, the Peloton app is still one of the most advanced resources out there for getting in a heart-pumping workout wherever you are. (After all, at its core, the company is based on the ideals of sweating it out at home.) Featuring high-intensity bodyweight boot camps, strength-building programs, and even yoga flows, the app features a variety of workouts tailored to all interests, each led by all-star trainers. And, if it’s advisable to be outdoors where you live, there are also guided outdoor runs you can listen to (sans video).
The app has a free trial period 0f 30 days, so you’ll have a month of at-home workouts to decide whether you plan to stick with it long-term.
Get your zen on with a Pilates or yoga flow via social media.
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Many health, fitness, and mindfulness experts have taken to social media to share how they’re taking care of their bodies and minds at home (and how their followers can do the same). One of our favorites is health coach Rochelle Ludovisi’s daily Pilates classes on Instagram Live (@rochelleludovisi), which take place Monday – Friday starting at 7:30am PST. It’s the perfect way to begin the day with a clear mind and a centered body.
We also enjoy Strala Yoga founder Tara Stiles’ live Facebook videos, where she demonstrates soothing yoga, tai chi, and shiatsu practices for all levels (whether you’ve dabbled in them before or you’re simply seeking a new way to find calm in these challenging times). It’s perfectly in line with the 2020 intention she shared with us December: “My New Year’s resolution is to make myself of service wherever I can,” she explained. “Service is essential for our wellbeing: helping others takes you out of the rut of perfectionism and improves your wellbeing through real-life connection.” (Even virtual connection.)
Expand your mind with a free class through Coursera.
If you’d like to use this time of stillness to try something you likely wouldn’t normally have time for, consider signing up for a free class through Coursera, a learning platform that’s home to thousands of skill-building classes from top universities and leading companies.
Classes are divided up by weeks, but you can still complete assignments and readings at your own pace, so each course truly is for your own personal benefit (though you can also opt to work toward a certification in many classes, if you’re interested in professional development). One of their most popular courses right now is Yale’s The Science of Wellbeing (the university’s most popular class ever), led by Laurie Santos, which teaches some especially helpful and actionable skills during these uncertain times.
If there’s something you’re particularly interested in, from languages to technology, chances are that Coursera has a class for it. And if you need some inspiration, browse their free classes page to see what catches your eye.
Try a beginner-friendly meditation through Headspace, or take up gratitude journaling with Calm.
In addition to their complimentary two-week trial, popular meditation app Headspace has made several of their guided sessions easy to access on their website (no sign-up required).
Part of their larger collection titled Weathering the Storm, the soothing voice of co-founder Andy Puddicombe guides you through three simple practices focused on Relieving Stress, Walking at Home, and Panicking. They’re each 10 minutes or less, and you can find them here (alongside several other mindfulness resources you can use during this time). Or, if you’re looking for something even shorter, their Mini Meditations on YouTube are a good place to turn.
Calm, another wonderful meditation app, has created a collection of free printable journals designed to help you reflect and start new practices as you cozy up with a cup of tea (optional, but recommended). They have workbooks and journals geared toward practicing gratitude (complete with inspiring quotes and helpful prompts), as well as journals focused on managing stress, setting intentions, mindfully making and breaking habits, improving sleep, and more.
If journaling isn’t up your alley, you can also use this page to discover some of their soothing meditations, soundscapes, sleep stories, and even a Calm calendar complete with short daily mindfulness activities to try at home — all complimentary. Plus, there are meditations for kids, too.
Keep the kids entertained with Snapology’s daily LEGO challenges.
If you have young ones at home, engage them in a creative version of a classic pastime that they may already love. Snapology, which offers programs and classes focused on LEGO, Robotics, and STEM activities for kids in locations across the U.S., has been posting daily LEGO Build challenges on their Facebook page. (If your child isn’t into Lego, they can build with other recycled materials.) Recent examples include “Create a Self-Portrait,” build a “Mode of Transportation,” and more.
Cook a flavorful, healthy recipe, from our kitchen to yours.
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Many people have used this time at home to channel their inner chef with new creations in the kitchen. While cookbooks and food blogs are excellent places to start, if you’re looking for some fresh inspiration, we’d like to share one of our favorite nourishing recipes from Carbon Beach Club.
Grilled Avocado With Tunisian Purée & Pistachio
Prepare the Tunisian Purée and the Pistachio & Pink Peppercorn Mix (recipes below), and set aside. Preheat a grill to medium high heat. Cut the avocados in half and remove the pit. Place the avocado on the grill, cut side down. Grill for 4 to 6 minutes until grill marks form. Remove from the grill and top with Tunisian Puree. Finish by drizzling with the pistachio and peppercorn mix and serve!
Tunisian Purée
Blend the following in a blender or Vitamix until completely smooth.
1 Cup Green Olives (Drained)
1 Cup Peppadew Peppers (Drained)
½ Tbsp Chopped Garlic
¼ Tsp Salt
¼ Tsp Espelette
1/8 Cup Dried Currants
Adjust seasoning to taste.
Pistachio & Pink Peppercorn Mix
In a medium size mixing bowl, toss the following until fully mixed.
1 Cup Toasted, Chopped Pistachio
½ Tbsp Crushed Pink Peppercorn
¼ Tsp Salt
¼ Tbsp Olive Oil
Adjust seasoning to taste.
If you’re local to the Malibu area, Carbon Beach Club also offers curbside pickup from Malibu Beach Inn’s porte-cochère, as well as delivery by our trusted partners, including UberEats, Grubhub, Postmates, and DoorDash. View our menu here.
