At Home Isolated? These Apps Can Keep You Productive During the Quarantine Period

In some parts of the world, governments have enforced lockdown for its citizens over the COVID-19 pandemic. Nigeria, for example, has mandated its citizens staying in Lagos, Abuja and Ogun state to stay indoors for 14 days beginning from 11 pm Monday night.

This has caused many to begin stressing out over the thought. Truth is over the next few weeks, it will be almost impossible to ignore the constant headlines of updated numbers on coronavirus cases on social media and other news outlets.

But during this break/remote work period, you still need to be productive and here are a few essential apps that could help.

Team Communication

Although you and the team are at home, but that’s not the end of work. There are simple apps you and your team members could use to communicate while also keeping track of progress and ensuring everyone does their part even while working at home.

If you have a small team, a simple platform like WhatsApp group could come in handy. If you have a large team with several sub-teams working on various project, an app like Slack will be useful.

In case you need a video conference, video conferencing apps like Zoom and Skype could come in handy depending on how long or large your meeting will be.

Self Development

Oh, you are on ‘forced’ leave. Alright, but isn’t it time you pick up that one skill you have always wanted but never had the time to acquire?

Apps like Udemy and EDx provide you with a vast array of courses to choose from. Some are free, some are paid, but you can always learn that skill and get certified for it. Talking about returning to work more equipped…

If you are out for learning new languages, Duolingo is an app that could help you learn any language – French, Mandarin, Spanish, German etc. So when next you get back to work, you could go Buenos días todos/todas.

Health and Fitness

So there’s no jumping around to do, but you should still burn those calories. However, due to the lockdown, you may not be able to attend the gym. If you do have a home gym already, great, if not these apps can help you do basic exercises.

Apps like Google fit, Jefit, Workout Trainer (Android) and Nike Training Club, Carrot Fit (iOS) can do the trick. However, you will still need a bit of self-determination to get them running and fulfilling the goal.

Entertainment

Hey, it can’t be all work throughout the self-isolation period. You still need some ‘you-time’ to relax and do something fun. However, for most people, they will be alone for the period and even if you have a housemate or partner, it could get boring fast.

Apps like Netflix could help you stream movies as a substitute for going to cinemas. YouTube will also offer you a library of several million video contents you can watch, laugh and learn from.

If you are a gamer, you could also download mobile games, like Call of Duty Mobile, Mario Cart, Asphalt, FIFA and Scrabble, and have your fun. And if you are a reader, WattPad or Free Books & Audio Books could help you do what you love.

Worthy Mentions

You probably forgot to get your home scanner running before the restriction hit or your graphics designer/editor is unreachable and you need to get something done?

An app like CamScanner could help you scan your document into PDF formats using your default phone camera.

Canva is also a free platform that could help you make basic designs even if you have no graphics background. Templates (free and paid) are provided for you to edit and tweak to your taste. Quik is a good video editing tool, one that can do basic video editing with just taps from your mobile phone.

Also don’t forget the good ol’ social media platforms out there – Twitter, Facebook, Houseparty, TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram. They are your basic fun partners.