Ever since the pandemic hit, people around the world have been advised to stay at home as much as possible. And although some places have started opening up again — little by little — many of us still prefer to remain indoors, unless going out to buy food, medicine, and other necessities.
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Of course, there may be times when you feel lonely, bored, and frustrated about being cooped up inside the house for so long. Hence, we have a decided to come up with a list of activities that you can do to make your days (and nights) at home more fun, creative, and worthwhile.
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List of Fun Things to Do Indoors
Whether you live alone, or with your family or friends, here are some suggestions on how you can spend your free time at home:
1. Get some exercise.
You can start by downloading a fitness app to help you reach your fitness goals. There are many apps out there that feature different kinds of exercises: aerobics, yoga, Zumba, and more! Some apps can even help you keep track of your health details, such as number of steps taken, calories consumed, heart rate, weight, BMI, and other information.
At the same time, you can create your own “mini gym” at home. You don’t necessarily have to buy expensive gym equipment; some weights, a yoga mat, skipping rope, and other items will do. You not only get to stay healthy and fit, you can save a lot of money on gym memberships!
2. Clean and de-clutter.
Now that you have more free time, you can finally clean out your closet, wash the curtains, sort and arrange all your items, and do other household chores that you were too “busy” to bother with before. You might even find some things that you hardly use anymore — old clothes, shoes, toys, books, and other things that can be sold (if still in good condition), donated, or given away. The result? A clean and clutter-free home, plus a new lease on life for your “preloved” items!
3. Bring out the board games.
Remember those days when all you needed was a deck of cards, a board game, or some pen and paper to entertain yourselves? Put down your phone and gather your family and friends for an exciting “game night.” Bring out your old chess board, Ludo, Jenga, Scrabble, Monopoly, Pictionary and other classic games. Make some popcorn and nachos and you’re all set for a great time!
4. Learn something new.
Always wanted to learn a new language but didn’t have the time? Thinking of taking up a short course on photography, graphic design, personal finance, and other topics? There are plenty of learning opportunities online, including pod casts, webinars, self-learning modules, etc. Many of these are offered at affordable prices, and some are free of charge! Time to learn something new!
5. Discover your creative side.
Aside from learning a new skill, you could also try sketching, painting, crocheting, pottery making, paper weaving, wood crafting, and other creative activities. Who knows? You just might discover a hidden talent for producing artistic masterpieces! And besides, activities like these are often relaxing and enjoyable — a great way to pass the time, and a possible business opportunity!
6. Learn some new recipes.
In this day and age of cook books and online instructional videos, anyone can learn how to cook! Can’t go out to buy your favourite restaurant dish? Why not learn how to make it at home! Missing your mother’s homemade carrot cake? Search for the recipe online and give it a try. Buy some ingredients, head to the kitchen, wear that apron, and start channeling your inner master chef!
7. Buy from nearby restaurants and stores.
During those times when you want to order food, consider buying from nearby restaurants. Running out of groceries? Head to the little store or market in your neighbourhood. This will help boost the local economy, and you can think of it as helping out friends and neighbours. In the future, if you decide to start your own business, these are the people who will also support you!
8. Take a virtual tour.
The tourism industry is perhaps the most affected by the global crisis. Airlines, hotels, travel agencies, and tourist attractions are either struggling or closed. Until the day comes for them to open again, we can turn to “virtual tours” in the mean time. Museums all over the world are currently offering online tours, and there are many websites featuring photos and videos of popular attractions. These may not be the same as the real thing, but they will have to do for now!
9. Get together… online.
Due to the crisis, digital communication has become more crucial than ever. Even as we remain indoors, going online helps us to stay informed, updated, and connected. Feeling lonely? Make a call to your family and loved ones who are far away. Want to catch up with your friends? Schedule a group chat over Google Hangouts, Facebook Messenger, or Zoom. We may be separated physically by distance, but we can always meet face-to-face online, in the virtual world.
10. Write a journal.
Have you ever kept a diary when you were a kid? It’s always nice and interesting to read old memories again, right? Writing a journal is one way to keep the blues away. You can write about your activities, your feelings… anything at all! Someday, when the crisis over, you can look back at your experience and say, “I survived that” or “I didn’t give up.” Let us remember that the current crisis is temporary, and we can all look forward to the day when it is finally over.
Staying at home does not have to be boring, lonely, or frustrating. By keeping our hands (and our minds) busy, we can remain active, engaged, and productive. Our days and nights don’t have to be dull, because there are many things we can do, by ourselves or with other people.
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