Dear Benchmarks' Members, 

We wanted to share with you some fun ways to seek a little relief during this very stressful time.  Read more below.  Sending SUPER HUGE THANKS to Paige Wiggs for helping to brainstorm and design this email for our members!

Take care of each other and stay safe and healthy!

The Benchmarks' Team
Coronavirus memes are spreading as the disease travels across the world - here's what they look like and why creators say they're important


"Memes and TikTok videos are lightening the mood as people grapple with the realities of the coronavirus pandemic."  Sam Thullesen/Izzie Feehrer/TikTok
  • As the novel coronavirus continues to spread and the realities of the pandemic set in, people are turning to the internet for some relief.
  • Coronavirus-themed memes and TikTok videos are providing comic relief and distraction amid times of uncertainty. 
  • A search for "coronavirus" on any social media platform yields Purell memes, hamster videos, and "The Office" fan fiction, among other content. 
  • Creators say that using humor and art is critical in bringing people together and soothing global panic. 
Sesame Workshop Launches 'Caring for Each Other' Initiative to Help Parents and Children During Coronavirus Pandemic


In response to the unprecedented uncertainty facing young children and families, Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit educational organization behind Sesame Street ,  is offering a broad variety of free resources to help children and families during the coronavirus pandemic. 

Just because the zoos and aquariums are closed doesn't mean you can't peek in on hippos, pandas, jellyfish, and sharks.


Go to the zoo!
Many zoos around the world are offering live stream videos.  Super fun to watch!  San Diego zoo,  Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, Panda Cam at Zoo Altanta, Houston Zoo,  Smithsonian National Zoo and Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden are some of the best.

More of an aquarium fan?


Watch your favorite sea creatures at  Monteray Bay Aquarium ,  Georgia Aquarium  and  Aquarium of the Pacific .  These are very relaxing!
Space Agency Launches 'Nasa at Home' to Engage Those in Coronavirus 


Resources include do-it-yourself activities, live virtual chats with astronauts and officials, formal lesson plans, an augmented reality app and more.
Fun things to do while social distancing!


Here are some great ideas we discovered on KIRO 7's Website.

Learn to draw

Mo Willems, the author of the Pigeon and Elephant and Piggy children's books hosts a daily lunch doodle. While you may not be able to take the time at 1 p.m. every weekday, catch up on the weekends. The classes are all on  YouTube.

Disney animator Michael Woodside is also hosting a daily drawing class where he teaches kids and grownups how to draw Disney characters. Find out early in the day who he plans to draw by visiting his   Twitter site, then log into  YouTube for the live class.

Participate in a heart, bear or rainbow scavenger hunt

People are putting a heart, bear or a rainbow in a window to allow kids to go on a hunt.

The bears were,  according to KSAT, a book and song called "We're Going on a Bear Hunt."

You can not only put the requested item in a window if you're allowed to leave the confines of your home, but you can also try to see if anyone in your neighborhood is participating, as long as you are doing it by practicing social distancing.

Meditate, Do Yoga

Find your center and sign up for a virtual meditation or yoga class.

One such example is the online yoga platform  EkhartYoga , which is offering free gentle yoga and meditation classes online to people during the outbreak to help counteract the escalation of stress and anxiety that comes with it.

Build a Lego

If you have kids, and they have a bin of Legos, dump them out and build. See what you can come up with by free-building. But there are some kits that are more  adult-friendly than  kid-friendly.

One thing you can do with some Legos and other things laying around the house is to make a  Rube Goldberg Machine,  WKBW suggested. Basically make a complicated machine to do something simple.

The Rube Goldberg Twitter account has challenges if you can't think of an idea.


Write, journal

The COVID-19 pandemic has a lot of people saying we're living in an unprecedented time. Write about it. Or if you always wanted to write a book, start writing,  Psychology Today suggested.

Listen to podcasts

Find your favorite topic and listen to a podcast on it,  The New York Times suggested.

Go for a walk, get outside

You can leave your homes in most cases, just practice social distancing. if you're not under curfew or shelter-in-place orders. Doctors say fresh air and exercise are good for not only your physical health but also mental health,  USA Today reported. You can walk around your neighborhood if you live in the suburbs, go to a park, go hiking or go jogging.

One place you should avoid is a playground. If you do end up on a playground, make sure you wash your hands and don't touch your face,  USA Today reported.

#ChalkYourWalk has flooded social media with inspiring messages during the coronavirus pandemic.


Thousands of chalk drawings and signs have made people's walks during coronavirus a little better.

Under stay-at-home orders, the outdoors is one of the few places people can go to get out of the house. Many people who have gone to their local parks or taken walks through their neighborhood have noticed positive messages on their routes.

Cook

See what you have in your pantry and whip up a new meal,  Psychology Today recommends.

Or make it competition the likes of "Chopped" or "Iron Chef America."  SuperCook is one app that can help.  Auguste Escoffler School of Culinary Arts has a list of others.
Ways for Individuals to Take Action During the COVID-19 Crisis


How people can contribute to those in need.

Support a small business.
Economic downturns hit small businesses the hardest, and there's never been a better time to use our power as consumers to support the companies who need it the most. Remember small and mid-size businesses as you stock up on household supplies, and shop directly on their website whenever possible. Share your favorite small brands on social media. If your favorite business is currently closed, they may offer digital gift cards online that you can buy now and use later.

Volunteer virtually.
 
The most vulnerable members of our communities are in greater need than ever, but volunteering has become much more complicated. Visit your favorite organization's website to explore opportunities to give your time online, or send a monetary donation if you can.

Be mindful at the grocery store.

It's an understandable urge to stock up during uncertain times, but it's leading to shortages in grocery stores. Next time you go shopping, consider buying only the standard amount of food and essentials needed for your household and leave some behind for your fellow shoppers. Bear in mind that some families on public assistance, such as WIC and SNAP, can buy only program-eligible products and can't be flexible with their purchases when shelves are empty.

Reallocate unused budgets to local charities.

Since most offices have transitioned to working remotely, many teams will have unused budgets for supplies like snacks and cleaning products. Individuals may be spending less on parking, tolls, or public transportation. Reallocating those expenses to a charity of your choice is a great way to help people in need.

Give blood.
 
Due to an unprecedented number of blood drive cancellations, the Red Cross is facing a severe shortage of blood to support patients in need of necessary surgeries. It is still safe for eligible and healthy donors to donate blood, and you can schedule an appointment online.  Find a location near you.

Get takeout.

The food and hospitality industries have been particularly shaken by the COVID-19 outbreak. But many are still open as essential businesses, and they need support to stay afloat. Conscious consumers are the backbone of resilient communities, so consider ordering a meal or coffee to go from one of your local spots. Visit their social media handles for service updates and ways to support.

Check in on a neighbor.

Check in on your neighbors who may need a helping hand, such as higher-risk individuals or parents at home with kids. You may be able to assist with a much-needed errand or a friendly smile.
Keep connecting.

Human connection is a critical part of mental health, but physical distancing is keeping us all separated from friends, families, coworkers, and communities. Though it takes extra effort, it's invaluable to create moments of social connection with the people in your personal and professional circles. We don't know how long this period will last, but we know that we're stronger together.