The general public did not expect COVID-19 to get serious so fast and staying indoors is the new way of life for the next few weeks. All of a sudden, schools are online, and public places like bars, restaurants, and shopping centers are closed. Everyone is being asked to stay home, but what does this mean exactly? It looks like the following weeks are going to be long ones, but it does not have to be that way. Here are 34 ways to stay happily busy and entertained while quarantined at home.
Self-care is one of the best things to focus on in this strange time of isolation. You can give your nails some love by doing a manicure. Trim your nails and then soak them in warm water for 3-4 minutes. Push your cuticles back and use a nail file to soften the edges of your nails. Remember to put some cream on afterward, too. Another part of self-care is taking care of your face. You can wash your face, put on a face mask, creams, and anything that will make your skin glow. Meditation is also healthy and can be interesting to try. Find a quiet spot in your house, and look up meditation techniques to help you drown out the rest of the world and focus on yourself for a little while. Yoga is similar to this, and you can even do it with family or friends through video chats.
Playing games is one of the best ways to pass the time. You can play board games like Monopoly, Clue, Scrabble, The Game of Life, or any other one you have at your house. Pictionary and Charades are fun too. Download apps like “Heads Up” or write down action cues on papers and put them in a bowl to pick out during the game. If you have a large family staying with you, then you can divide up into teams and have a competition. Playing Uno or card games can be very entertaining as well. There are numerous games to learn, and you can play on your own or with multiple people. Lastly, crossword puzzles or sudoku are simple ways to keep busy and exercise your brain for a couple of hours. You can do this by finding ones in apps, online and then printing them, or using a crossword book if you have one.
With more time than usual on everyone’s hands, it is a great time to develop new skills. You can choose to paint or draw, for example. By drawing anything you would like or looking up tutorials online, you can improve your skills every day and have fun in the meantime. The hours will also go by quickly if you try to learn how to play an instrument. Dust off the old piano or pull out your family’s guitar and bring some music to the house. Tutorials on YouTube or a musically-gifted family member (or friend through FaceTime) can help you get started. For people looking to get creative, learning how to do unique hairstyles or mastering how to put on liquid eyeliner are some ways to do this. If you are looking to really challenge yourself, try to learn to do everyday things with your non-dominant hand. From eating to writing, developing this skill is one you can boast about when you go out into the world again. More activities you can do are playing sports in your backyard, taking up gardening, learning a new language or calligraphy, making origami, or teaching yourself how to cook delicious food. Remember to be creative by using what you already have to avoid going to the supermarket!
The many electronics available to people today provide hundreds of ways to stay entertained while indoors. People can play video games with their Xbox, PlayStation, or Wii, or play around with a virtual reality device if they own one. They can also bring back old games like Just Dance to their homes. Watching movies and television shows are always an excellent choice. There are thousands of thrilling, action-packed, and beautifully romantic movies to watch your television or streaming services. The options include Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Disney+, Apply TV+, CBS All Access, HBO Now, and many more. While all of those are fun, people can also listen to music, make new playlists, or take part in society’s latest trend by making TikToks. FaceTime and social media, now more than ever, can help people stay connected and happy by communicating with friends or seeing funny posts.
Some activities people can do will inspire imagination or relaxation. Building a fort at home is a sure way to build up teamwork among families, and it makes for a cozy hangout spot. Now is also an excellent time to read books you have been postponing for later on or be creative by writing short stories or poems. Organizing areas of the house can be surprisingly relaxing. Messy closets, pantries, or refrigerators are screaming for your attention, so why not give them some love? You can also workout at home. Download some fitness apps, watch workout videos to follow along with, or create your own routine to help you be physically healthy. If you maintain a consistent schedule and balance between your entertainment and work, you can also feel more relaxed as a result. It could be comforting to know that your time away from the outside world will not deter you from having as much normalcy as possible.
Finally, do whatever it takes but please stay home to help prevent the spread of Coronavirus. Take care!
