With COVID-19 restrictions in place, the home we once thought of as our sanctuary may now feel more like a source of cabin fever. Although social distancing guidelines are important for the safety of our community, spending more time in our homes can cause us to feel anxious and a little stir crazy. So, we’ve rounded up nine budget-friendly ways on how to fight boredom during COVID-19.
Break Out the Games
Grab your partner, a roommate or your children and break out the board games for a free night of fun. Whether it’s Monopoly, Uno or a game of chess, let the healthy competition begin! Or, if you are quarantining alone, play against friends and family using online versions of your favorite board games. Alternatively, challenge yourself to a game and try to beat your highest score.
Fight Boredom with Exercise
Focus any additional time at home on becoming a healthier you! There are limitless ways to exercise from home. Check out YouTube, Planet Fitness, Nike Training Club and other online fitness resources for free versions of your favorite exercise classes including Pilates, yoga, aerobics and more. You could even consider downloading a free fitness tracking app to measure your progress and your results.
D.I.Y. Projects to Fight Boredom
Time to have fun with crafts and get those creative juices flowing! Whether putting pen to paper, blogging, capturing videos, knitting, painting, cookie decorating or scrapbooking, consider expressing yourself through a craft. You could start from scratch by building a vegetable garden in your backyard, or even use materials you already have by repurposing old furniture into something new.
Start Spring Cleaning Early
While you have the time, start your spring-cleaning to-do list early. Deep clean areas of your house you wouldn’t normally focus on when you have a full schedule. Declutter the Tupperware cabinet, organize piles of paperwork with a filing system, or go through your clothes and donate what you don’t wear.
Soak Up Some Sunshine
Sunlight boosts serotonin which then boosts your overall mood. Sunlight is great for mental health and spending some quiet time in nature can help improve your overall wellbeing. So, take a few minutes out of your day to go outside and enjoy some sunshine. When you step outside, consider slowing the pace of your day, removing your watch, turning your phone or pager off and focusing on the immediate experience of being outdoors.
Plan Your Next Vacation
Use your time at home to do a little research and brainstorm a few ideas for your next vacation. Make a list of all of the places you’d like to visit or focus on planning every last detail of one dream trip that you’d like to take in the future. Compare the best hotel spots and research local activities and excursions that you can do while traveling.
Fighting Boredom with an Old Hobby
Take some time to revisit a long-lost hobby. Get back to doodling, painting, playing an instrument and get lost in old interests. You can even make a small business out of doing what you love such as selling your artwork or sewing face masks for people in your community.
Teach Yourself Something New
Another great way for fighting boredom and to pass the time is by learning something new. Download an app, enroll in an online course or enjoy a free digital audiobook on a topic you find interesting. There are so many fun and budget-friendly ways to learn a new language, try a new recipe, or unleash your inner creative with free courses on calligraphy, watercolor and more.
Play with a Pet
There is no better time than now to show some extra love to your furry companion. Dedicate some time each day to teaching your pet a new trick or playing their favorite game. Not only is spending quality time with your pet fun, but it also offers great health benefits including companionship, lowered blood pressure and even lower levels of anxiety and depression.
