(Newswire.net — April 27, 2020) —
Whether you are having to shelter in place or finding yourself with extra free time lately, you don’t have to sit at home bored. If you put your mind to it, you can find countless ways to have fun, stay busy and enrich your life.
1. Dancing
A lot of people will find themselves getting less active and eating more while sheltering in place. Not only can this be bad for your physical health, but it can also be bad for your mental health. One way to combat each of these downfalls is to take up an active hobby like dancing. Dancing can be a lot of fun and great exercise. You can either put on some music and freestyle until you break a sweat, or you can put on a YouTube video to follow. There are also video games that get you up and moving to your favorite genres of music to consider.
2. Sewing or Knitting
Some hobbies many consider learning or pursuing when they have extra free time are sewing, knitting or crocheting. There are endless possibilities with what you can design and create when you learn one of these valuable skills. You may be able to learn well enough that you can sew your clothes when they get rips in them. For some, learning one of these hobbies may turn into a part-time income. If you get good and can create beautiful or unique creations, you can sell them online. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many people are using their sewing skills to make masks to sell for money or to give to friends and family to keep them safe.
3. Scrapbooking
Sometimes, you need a trip down memory lane to keep the loneliness from creeping up on you during the time you are sheltering in place. While you may be tempted to order one of the many online scrapbooks, don’t miss the fact that nothing beats a good, old-fashioned scrapbook made of printed photos and other materials. You can have fun, enjoy some nostalgia and make gifts for friends and family while spending your days at home. There is something very special about old photos of your younger days and childhood.
4. Puzzles
Being locked up in your home for weeks on end can be detrimental for your mind. If you want to find ways to keep it sharp without resulting in hours of watching television, online videos or scrolling through your social media accounts, consider putting together a challenging puzzle. There are countless types of puzzles to enjoy, and often the result is beautiful. Puzzles are great for exercising your brain and are perfect for enhancing your problem-solving skills. If you have no access to a physical jigsaw puzzle, the next best thing would be to download a puzzle app.
5. Coloring
If you want to tap into your creative side, coloring might be the thing to do when you have hours to yourself. Many people get stressed while having to shelter in place. Coloring has always been a great way to relax, unwind and destress. It allows you to focus on one thing at a time and block out all of the chaos from everywhere else in the world. There are countless types of coloring books to choose from. Whether you want an adult coloring book or are wanting to relive your childhood with Disney-themed coloring pages, the possibilities are endless.
6. Yoga
Another way to keep yourself fit and lower your stress levels is to try yoga. It is a relatively low-cost activity anyone can do regardless of their fitness levels. The added benefit you can gain from practicing yoga is increased flexibility. Even if you don’t have a lot of extra room at home, you can always find a small spot indoors or outside to practice. During your yoga time, add in some meditation or simple stretching to help boost your overall mental and physical wellness.
As you can see, there are many things you can do to keep busy while having to shelter in place. You don’t have to be bored or lose all motivation. Try multiple hobbies until you find the one that gives you satisfaction and peace of mind.