On this tab you can find links to free online activities. You can explore a range of virtual activities including museum exhibits and exercise programs, with more activities to follow in the coming weeks. Each activity also includes a brief introduction, and research discussing the benefits of staying engaged and connected. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Although social distancing may make it difficult to visit zoos and sites in nature where we can observe animals, you can watch a variety of animals from your own home at the links listed below. People may visit zoos for a variety of reasons, including social connection, learning, and spirituality (Falk et al., 2007). Visiting zoos can also lead people to reconsider their own role in environmental problems and conservation and consider how they can be part of the solution Falk et al, 2007). If connecting with animals, nature, or environmental and conservation causes appeals to you, feel free to check out these links! <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sandiego Zoo Cams<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Smithsonian National Zoo<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Houston Zoo<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Reid Park Zoo<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n El Paso Zoo<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/a>Katmai National Park Bears<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Channel Islands National Park Bald Eagles <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Explore Livecams <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Farrallon Islands <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n National Geographic WildCam Obersvations<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n EarthCam<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n With the spring semester over, you might be finding yourself with a bit more free time. If you\u2019d like to use that time to read, feel free to check out the following list of resources to help you access free e-books and audiobooks that you can safely access from home! Research has shown that in addition to cognitive benefits, reading can help reduce stress (Rizzolo et al., 2009), and if we\u2019re emotionally transported into the story, reading can build empathy (Bal & Veltkamp, 2013). In fact, listening to the stories of people who have oppressed identities is an important step in working toward social justice when those stories lead to our increased awareness and action against oppression. Based on the books and stories we choose, reading can have benefits not only for ourselves, but for others as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Open Library<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Akron-Summit County Public Library<\/a> (for Ohio residents)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Learn Out Loud<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Audiobooks<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Escape rooms can be a fun way to use and build critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills (Wiemker et al., 2015). Escape rooms have also been found to be an effective way to practice leadership skills, including communication and teamwork (Wu et al., 2018). There are several free ways to have an escape-room-like experience from your own home to safely practice social distancing. You could complete these puzzle and escape rooms on your own, or consider video chatting with family or friends to complete them as a group. Check out the list below for online escape rooms in a variety of formats!<\/p>\n\n\n\n “Cube Escape” Mobile App Series (Made by Rusty Lake)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Escape This Podcast<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Sherlock Holmes Escape Room<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Compiled lists of several online escape room games: List<\/a> 1<\/a>, List 2<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n In response to social distancing, concerts have become available for streaming. Several studies have found that listening to music can reduce feelings of stress, anxiety, and promotes relaxation (Fancourt et al. 2014). Additionally, music also fosters positive emotions such as confidence, social connection, and focus (Fancourt et al. 2014; Schellenberg 2012). We invite you to explore the links below, which cover a range of free concerts across a wide variety of genres, including classical, rock, hip hop, R&B, country, and more, as well as a wide range of artists such as John Legend, the Roots, Post Malone, Kesha, and The Cleveland Orchestra. <\/p>\n\n\n\n NPR List of Free Concerts<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Vulture List of Free Concerts<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Rock & Roll Hall of Fame<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Free Classic Music in Northeast Ohio<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Free Andrew Lloyd Webber Musicals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n With the following links to virtual exhibits and interactive experiences at a variety of museums with content ranging from art to history to nature to culture, we invite you to explore! In addition to learning something new, research has found a variety of potential benefits from visiting museums, including: experiencing personal growth, understanding oneself and others more deeply, broadening perspective, connecting with purpose in life, feeling connected to one\u2019s culture and history and to other people, and relaxation (Everett & Barrett, 2011; Packer, 2008). Many of us could use some feelings of connection and relaxation during this time, and if a virtual museum tour feels like a good option for you, please check any or all of these out!<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Louvre Online Tours<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Cleveland Museum of Natural History<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Cleveland Art Museum<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Van Gogh Museum Amsterdam<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n British Museum- Museum of the World Exhibit<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n National Gallery of Victoria<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Smithsonian National Museum of African Art<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Although current\nopportunities to get out in nature may be limited right now, research has shown\nus that spending time in nature can provide a variety of benefits. For example,\nbeing in nature or green spaces has been found to reduce difficult emotions, such\nas feelings of depression or anxiety; help maintain positive emotions; improve\nworking memory; and even provide physical health benefits such as lowered blood\npressure (Bratman et al., 2015; Shanahan et al., 2016). Looking at and\nlistening to nature through a computer or smartphone is far different from\nphysically being in nature, but if you find enjoyment or other benefits from\nbeing in nature yourself, we would encourage you to check out the following\nlinks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Virtual Guided Tours of 5 U.S. National Parks<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Oklahoma Nature Conservancy Virtual Field Trip<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Virtual Diving Tours<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Virtual English Garden Tour<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Grand Canyon National Park (Google Earth)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n San Diego Zoo Cams<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Monterey Bay Aquarium Cams<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Variety of other National Park and historical site resources<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n With the following links to exercise workouts, work-ins, and apps, we invite you to explore! Research has shown that exercise is related to positive mood, optimism, resiliency, and stress reduction (Szabo, 2003). Thus, we encourage those interested to explore these options to exercise in an affordable way. The links below include a variety of workout websites that provide free workout videos, testimonials, blogs, and healthy recipes. Each website also has its own app, listed below!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Planet Fitness Live Stream Workouts<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Planet Free Home Work-Ins<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Planet Fitness Mobile App<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Fitness Blender<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Team Body Project Free Home Workouts<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Team Body Project Mobile App<\/p>\n\n\n\n On this tab you can find links to free online activities. You can explore a range of virtual activities including museum exhibits and exercise programs, with more activities to follow in the coming weeks. Each activity also includes a brief introduction, and research discussing the benefits of staying engaged and connected. Animals Although social distancing … <\/p>\nBooks<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Escape Rooms<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Music and Concerts<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Museums<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Nature\nand Parks<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Exercise<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
References: <\/h4>\n\n\n\n