things to do while stuck inside home due to a pandemic
As concerts are postponed, sporting events are canceled, schools are closed and tourist hot spots are shut down, experts recommend that even those who show no sign of illness stay home during this time of global pandemic.
That’s right: It’s advised that you self-quarantine.
Although remaining inside is a good way to protect yourself and others from the coronavirus, and is an important measure to help “flatten the curve” of daily cases that put pressure on our health care system, it could lead to a lesser evil: boredom and stir craziness.
What’s there to do while stuck indoors? We’ve compiled some suggestions to help make your time quarantined as interesting – and perhaps even as productive – as possible.
Complete a puzzle: The more pieces the better! Feeling extra saucy? Take on a Rubik’s Cube. More of a word person? Crossword puzzle!
Start a journal or blog. Sure, it can be about the coronavirus, but it could also be about a specific interest from chess to cheese.
If it won’t bother your neighbors: Dust off that old instrument and practice.
Text all your exes just in case you have one more thing you wanted to get off your chest.
Write poetry. Perhaps you can craft a haiku for Mother’s Day, or something without a specific structure. Just try it!
Watch all the really long movies you’ve avoided until now.
Download Duolingo, or a similar app, and teach yourself a foreign language.
Meditate. Try lying down with your eyes closed, palms up and while focusing on your breath. Or spend 20 minutes sitting crosslegged and repeat a soothing word to yourself in your head. (The latter is more like transcendental meditation.)
Face masks, moisturizer, oh my! Treat yourself to a 10-step skin care routine you don’t have time for during a normal work week.
Look at pictures of puppies.
Put together the most attractive charcuterie board possible, but you can only use foods you already have in your fridge and cupboard.
Take note from “Tangled” star Rapunzel, who has an entire song about how she’s spent her days alone in a castle. Activities included in her ditty: Ventriloquy, candle-making, papier-mâché and adding a new painting to her gallery.
Write actual letters to family and friends. After that? Write thank-you notes to service people who you remember went out of their way for you.
Learn calligraphy. YouTube can help.
Finally read the rules to those long and intense board games you’ve never played with the family. Encourage the family to play.
Put on a soap opera. Mute the sound. Create your own dialogue.
Have a space in your home where all of the tupperware goes? Organize it and actually match lids to containers.
Try on all your clothes and determine whether they “spark joy” á la Marie Kondo.
Better yet, go through this process with your junk drawer and supply shelves.
Have a roommate meeting about how to be more considerate of one other, especially while you will likely be spending more time together.
Bring baked goods. Bake those goods.
Watch the films that won Oscars for best picture.
Watch films that won Independent Spirit Awards for best picture.
Watch films that critics say should have won those aforementioned awards.
Knit or crochet.
Use Skype, FaceTime, Google Hangouts or Marco Polo to video chat with your long-distance friends.
Look at yourself in the mirror. Attempt a self portrait with pencil and paper.
Take a bubble bath (bonus: Add a glass of wine).
Make a classic cocktail, from negronis to Manhattans and aperol spritzes. Don’t forget the garnish.
Coloring books: They’re not just for kids.
Take time to reflect: What have you accomplished in the last year? What goals are you setting for yourself in the next year?
Write a short story or get started on that novel.
Clear out the family room and camp indoors with all blankets, popcorn and scary movies.
Finally get around to fixing that broken door knob and loose tile or cleaning scuffed up walls.
Acquire a foam roller and treat yourself to some physical therapy.
Pretend you’re 13 years old and fold a square piece of paper into a fortune teller you put your thumbs and pointer fingers into. Proceed to tell fortunes.
Learn how to braid (fishtail, French, etc.) via YouTube tutorial..
Throw out all your too-old makeup and products. (Tip: most liquid products have a small symbol on them noting expirations, usually six months to a year. This includes sunscreen!)
Interview your grandparents (over the phone, of course) and save the audio. Can you create an audio story or book with that file?
Go through your camera roll, pick your favorite pics from the past year and make a photo book or order framed versions online.
Go on a health kick and learn how to cook new recipes with ingredients you may not be using already, from miso to tahini.
Create a Google document of shows or movies you’re watching and share it among family and friends.
Make a list of things for which you are grateful.
