CLEVELAND — If you’re finding yourself watching a lot of tv and movies during social distancing, it might be time to shake things up a bit.
Going out of your comfort zone to learn a new skill can be really difficult, which is why technology has now made it easier than ever to do it from the comfort of your own home. Learn a new language, an instrument, or how to cook with these 10 apps.
Duolingo
This free app will teach you a new language that may come in handy when you take that post-social-distancing-trip. Choose from French, Spanish, Italian, and countless others and you will slowly be on your way to fluency.
Word of the Day
If learning a new language feels like biting off a little more than you can chew, start with English. This app will send you a notification every day with a new word to help you expand your vocabulary. Did we mention it’s free?
Simply Piano
Itching to play your favorite song on the piano? Want to impress a dinner party full of friends… after COVID-19 times end of course. This app can help. Learn how to play some of your favorite songs on the piano, or even just start with the basics. This app will have you playing like an expert in no time.
Elevate
Looking to just increase your brain power in general? Maybe you need to articulate your thoughts more clearly or add/subtract faster than you can now. This program will send you daily problems to help you get better at math, reading, and writing.
Yoga For Beginners
If you have always wanted to become more flexible and learn some basic yoga, but have never wanted to embarrass yourself in a class, there has never been a better time to start. Many yoga instructors across the country are streaming free classes, but trying to keep up can be challenging for a beginner. This app will help you navigate the ins and outs of the workout so that next time an instructor asks for a ‘child’s pose,’ you don’t start stressing.
ASL American Sign Language
Maybe cooking or crafting isn’t your style, but you still want to learn something hands on, pun intended. This app will help you learn American Sign Language for free.
Bluprint Watch + Learn
Knitting, crocheting, embroidery, painting, and photography are just a few of the more-than-20 skills this app can teach you. Through hundreds of short videos, you can become an expert in an area that you have been dying to learn about. Best part? It’s free!
Tasty
If you are one of the millions of Americans who eat takeout most nights of the week, this time of social distancing might have you wondering about learning to cook. TASTY makes baking and cooking easy. This free app will let you choose from categories like: how many ingredients you have, what you want to cook, occasion, diet, and so many more.
This app is somewhat of a combination of all of the above. Find recipes, crafts, projects and so many more. Login with your facebook account and you can even share what you find with friends.
Masterclass
This one is last because although it is incredibly cool, it isn’t free. If you have ever wanted to learn one specific skill from an expert, this is the place. Learn how to write comedy with Steve Martin, cook with Gordon Ramsay, or take photos with Annie Leibovitz. Right now, Masterclass is offering 2 passes for $180.