• Read A Book.

When people say they don’t read, it is often followed by, “Well, I would, but I just don’t have the time.” So, what better time to get back into reading than now? Find a quiet room, light some candles, open a window, and get to it! You’ll be happy you have a short escape from reality.

• Play A Video Game.

Since all the shutdowns of businesses and jobs, I have seen a huge spike of video game talk in my newsfeed. Most people are too busy in their day-to-day life to remember to take the time to have fun. Video games are fun whether you are on your own or with friends. It can be a great way to spend time with the people you can’t physically be around right now.

• Clean.

Clean your car, give the dog a bath, clean your house. Clean something that you haven’t had the time to do in a while. Reorganizing and decluttering can make you feel accomplished, and a wave of relaxation washes over you when you are finished. When time seems to be dragging on and our days mush together, cleaning can help us feel like we have something important to do. Don’t forget to treat yourself afterward!

• Spend Time With Your Kids.

Too often, we get sucked into our routines and daily schedules, and the days almost feel like chores. It is extremely important to a child’s mental and physical health to interact with others and have things to do. Boredom can lead to behavioral issues, so it’s important to keep them busy! Go outside and draw with chalk. Come up with fun obstacle courses. Jump on a trampoline or jump rope. Public parks aren’t the safest right now due to hygiene issues, so it’s best to keep outside play limited to your yard. Play with them; it’ll be a memory you both cherish.

• Take A Moment To Learn Something New Each Day.

The world around us is full of information. Thankfully, for most of us; we have the technology right at our fingertips. Take a moment each day to think of a question and spend some time researching it and finding the answers you’re looking for. It doesn’t have to be a complicated question or take a long time to research. With personal assistants like Alexa and Siri, it’s easier than it’s ever been. When someone asks you what you did during the virus quarantine, you can say you took some time to educate yourself and learn new things. It may spark up a conversation and lead to new friendships!

• Work On Home Projects.

Paint the room you’ve been wanting to paint. Clean the backyard. Check items off of your honey-do list. With most people unemployed or working from home, it’s easy to find ourselves bored and feeling stuck. With more time on our hands, we have one less reason not to get things done.

• Do Nothing.

This may sound counter-productive but stick with me here. Find a quiet spot, maybe outside if the weather permits. Get comfortable, maybe with a blanket or pillows, and try to clear your head. Listen to the world around you. With less foot and vehicle traffic, there is more chance to view and hear the nature around you. Most people don’t have the time to sit and do this on a normal day, or simply don’t think to. It can be quite meditative just to sit and relax, feeling the breeze of the wind upon your face. Sunlight also helps in making us feel happy, and being cooped up inside has a lot of people down right now.

• Tell The People Around You That You Love Them.

Things are scary right now. We’re experiencing a situation that we’ve never been in before. People are getting sick and even dying. With no way to know who will get infected, it is important to let our loved ones know that we support and love them. While many people are struggling with the virus, a lot of people are also struggling with mental health issues, domestic violence, and substance abuse. Check on them, make sure they are okay, and let them know how you feel because tomorrow isn’t promised for any of us. Even if you and your family are okay, it can be reassuring to hear someone tell you how they feel.

• Have A Movie Day.

Sit down with your family, or even by yourself, and binge-watch your favorite movies and shows. Make some popcorn and put on your favorite pajamas. Lounge around all day. What better opportunity to relax than when you’re stuck at home with nowhere to go?

• Play A Board Game.

An old pass-time that a lot of people don’t partake in anymore is playing a board game. Technology has made it easy to play games with someone over the phone, but nothing beats the feeling of the game pieces in your hand and the competitiveness throughout. It’s a great family event that will be sure to produce laughs and memories that everyone will carry for years to come.