We are all cooped up inside indefinitely, so what are we supposed to do all day every day? Many of us have transitioned to working from home full time, giving us extra time back into our day that we used to spend getting ready and commuting. On top of that, we are trapped inside except for necessary activities to reduce the spread of the coronavirus, and you can only rewatch your favorite Netflix show for so many times…
If you are going a little stir crazy and wondering what to do with your spare time, I’ve got you covered with 15 ways to stay sane and productive during this quarantine!
1. Bake & cook a new recipe
Our normal schedules leave us with minimal time to cook a delicious meal. Most of us are scrambling after work to put something together quickly. And let’s be honest, the last thing we want to do after a long day is to cook anything elaborate.
Well now that we are spending more time at home, we are able to make those complicated recipes we usually don’t have the energy for. Not to mention, more time to bake yummy breakfast foods and treats like cookies, pumpkin bread and brownies.
2. Try a new at-home workout or meditation
All this extra time leaves us with no excuses for skipping out on workouts. I’ve been loving the Instagram lives from Studio Three, Peloton app (free 90 day trial) and Classpass Go (free on demand classes). All of these options offer a variety of classes – Yoga, HIIT cardio, strength training, core workouts, etc.
Maybe this time of uncertainty is leaving you anxious, depressed or overwhelmed. If so, I recommend trying out meditations through Headspace (free access right now) or Chill Out Chicago’s Instagram page (live sessions daily).
Do whatever makes you feel good during this time.
3. Discover a new hobby
If you’ve ever had a desire to discover a new hobby, now is the time! Whether that’s starting a new craft project, painting new artwork for your home, gardening (indoors if you are in the midwest like me), DIY projects and hacks, knitting, scrapbooking or maybe even board games. You can still order supplies online and have them delivered right to your door so you can avoid going to the store and shopping. Craft stores like Michaels are allowing people to order items online and pick them up curbside, and they even have ideas and inspiration videos on their website.
4. Color or draw
I’ve started coloring in my adult coloring books again and it’s so soothing. Something about using markers and colored pencils again relieves all the stress and anxiety I’m having. You can order some fun ones on Amazon, or pick a color book up at the grocery store.
If you are extra artistic, get out that sketch pad you haven’t touched in years and get drawing. even doodling can be soothing.
5. Read a new book
If you’re like me and constantly have a running “to read” list, this is a great time to check some off. If you don’t want to break the bank on all these new books, try renting them online from your local library. Since many, if not all, libraries are closed right now, you can opt to download the PDF or Kindle version of the books to read on your Kindle, tablet, computer or phone. This may even be a good time to invest in a Kindle if you don’t have one already – I absolutely love mine.
Some of the best books I’ve read recently are The Immortalist, Educated, When’s Happy Hour?, Bad Blood, The Silent Patient, City of Girls and The Hate You Give.
6. Get outdoors for a walk or run
As of when I am writing this post, we are still being told it’s safe to go outside for walks and runs as long as we keep our distance from one another. Fresh air truly does wonders when you have been trapped inside all day.
I’ve been making it a goal of mine to get out of the house for a long walk every night after work as long as it’s not raining. Let’s take advantage of being outside while we can, I promise you’ll feel better afterwards.
7. Update your resume & LinkedIn
Even if you’re not actively looking for a new job, it’s important to keep your resume and LinkedIn profile up to date. You never know when a good opportunity will come your way so it’s better to be prepared and share your best, full self. Maybe you haven’t updated either since you started your newest job, you completed some certifications recently or you started a blog that could help sell yourself. Whatever it is, be sure to update it and keep these tips in mind. Among the most important in my opinion: remove the objective, start each bullet with an action word and exclude any irrelevant work experience (your accounting firm doesn’t need to know you worked on the yearbook staff in high school).
8. Journal about #QuarantineLife
Journaling has always been part of my life. When I was younger, I used to write in my diary every night, and if I missed a night I’d make up for it and apologize for missing an entry 😂
Now as an adult, I journal random nights to release thoughts in my head. Sometimes you just need to let it all out. I’m usually sparked to write when something big happened during the day, but now I’m writing more and more so I have a documentation of this bizarre part of my life and history.
If you are looking for some writing prompt ideas, I suggest starting with a recap of your day or week, what you are thankful for, what made you start writing in the first place or how you are feeling today and why.
9. Meet with a therapist online
If this COVID-19 outbreak has you feeling extra depressed or anxious, it may be time to talk to someone professionally. With telemedicine and telehealth readily accessible, there are endless, affordable options. A local blogger friend of mine, Erin’s Inside Job, shared a blog post on this topic, I highly recommend checking it out.
10. Schedule virtual happy hours or dinner dates
During a time when we are unable to see family and friends. in-person, the next best thing is having virtual happy hours. Grab your favorite beverage and Facetime your besties or get dressed up and have a dinner date. It’s important to stay social even if it’s from afar.
11. Organize & deep clean your home
I’ve gone into full on cleaning mode numerous times during this quarantine, but it feels great to tend to the areas of our homes that we normally neglect. Think cleaning out your pantry and fridge of expired condiments and canned goods, dusting your blinds and cleaning ceiling fans. Whatever it is you’ve been putting off, get to it. Consider it spring cleaning, just a little early.
12. Purge unnecessary items from life
On the topic of cleaning, now is a great time to go through your dresser and closet and put aside clothes to sell or donate. If you are looking to sell your items, Poshmark is a good option or a local resale shop (once they open back up). If you’d rather donate your items, toss them in a bag and hold onto them until all businesses are back up and running. Donation items can go to your local Salvation Army, women shelters or Goodwill.
13. Enroll in an online course to continue building your skill set
Wouldn’t it be nice to end this quarantine with a new skill to show off? That would be something new to add to your resume and LinkedIn, too! Whether you’re looking to expand your computer programming, marketing or public speaking skills, there are a variety of free options to look into. Also, consider any certifications or testing that could help you kick butt at your current job or make that career changed you’ve been dreaming about.
14. Online shop to support small businesses & order in from your favorite restaurants
Small businesses and restaurants are hurting right now. Many of their storefronts are closed completely or limited to curbside pick up and delivery. Consider ordering out from your favorite neighborhood spot or online shop for new clothes, jewelry and candles from little mom and pop stores rather than big retailers.
So far during quarantine I’ve purchased soy candles (grapefruit + mint and almond cream + chai) from Applewood Candle Co. and popcorn from Cravings Popcorn (which I had delivered to my parents). My shopping is not over yet, though!
15. Spruce up your living space
Now more than ever it’s important to create a clean, healthy and welcoming home. While it may be hard to go out and shop for large artwork and plants, you can either DIY projects or order items online to brighten up the space. Consider adding some plants, an oil diffuser, or a soothing photo to your space.
During this time of uncertainty, it’s important to prioritize ourselves, both our mental and physical health. Please stay healthy, safe and sane ❤️