What to do When You are Stuck at Home

During a time like this, the last thing you want to do is be holed up in your home, away from the world, your family, your friends, and your routine. It can also feel extremely tough to not be worrying, projecting, and living in fear, when it feels like all that’s surrounding you is just that.

But remember that how you feel is always still within your control. Emotions will come up, but you still have the choice to come back to your heart and breathe. 

Once you’ve taken a breath, it’s time to make staying indoors a bit more fun. While you may not be able to go out and about like you normally do, we’ve compiled a list of over 20 fun and different activities that you can try while you’re taking this time of solitude. It can actually be a great way for you to try things that you’ve been putting off. These activities can be great for kids and adults alike, even whether you’re with many people or just yourself! 

Take a look at some of these activities, and have fun! 

• At-home no-equipment workouts. You can find a ton of these online and via YouTube. A few favorites are:
  • 20-Minute No Equipment Zero noise workout: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYD7f5b_qj4
  • Full Body Workout: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6Rle5hK1cQ
  • 15-Min Ab Workout: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=glxrwC9zsHY
  • 30-Min Boxing Workout: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCTEVKRTuS8
• Draw, paint, sketch, color!
• Start a meditation practice
• Get outside for just a breath of air. You don’t have to drive around town, but if your area is still able to, you can definitely stand outside of your home for a few minutes just to get some fresh oxygen and sunlight on your face!
• Practice breathwork: this can be a great exercise to help calm nerves and stress!
• Bake something fun and healthy by yourself, with a partner or friend, or with your kids. 
• Challenge yourself to make a dish using just pantry staples, like beans, tomatoes, rice, and seasonings
• Watch your favorite movie series, like Harry Potter, Marvel movies, Ghostbusters, Toy Story, Pirates of the Caribbean, Star Wars, or Shrek (try to keep it as upbeat and funny as possible!)
• Have a virtual dinner date with friends
• Start that side hobby you’ve been meaning to pick up
• Organize a part of the house or apartment that’s a little messy
• Do a fitness challenge while watching your favorite TV show (for instance, if you like The Office, do 20 push-ups every time you hear Dwight shout, “Michael!”)
• Cuddle and play with your pet
• Say 10 things you’re grateful for at this moment. If you can’t think of 10, do as many as you can. There is always at least one, even if it’s just that the sun rose again
• Limit your consumption of the news. Yes, it’s important to stay informed, but there is also a lot of misinformation going around. In order to maintain a good outlook and positive mindset, it’s best to limit your consumption of the projections and fears of others
• Check-in on a family member or friend. When we feel we need someone to lean on, sometimes it helps by being the first person to extend the offer
• Read a new book or re-read an old one; you can also set up an Audible account and listen to books!
• Try a crossword or a puzzle! You can find many crosswords online, or play a board game with your children, partner, or friend
• Write a to-do list of all of the things you can accomplish while at home
• When consuming media, try to keep it as positive as possible. Check out a meditation channel on YouTube, scroll through Tiny Buddha, or check out Instagram accounts like Tank’s Good News (he was featured on Ellen!).
• Remember that this too shall pass. This is just one moment, and though it’s trying and scary, the unknown can also bring beautiful blessings, like showing us how truly kind some people can be (there are a lot of good things happening from this, like restaurants offering to turn their spaces into soup kitchens for those who can’t afford to eat, or hotels giving up their rooms to be turned into hospital rooms for those who need extra beds). Remember to stay in your heart as best as you can. Many are acting from their emotions and fear, and will often say things they don’t mean to. It’s important to remember to ride the wave. And like a wave, it ultimately flattens into calm water once more. Hang tight and know that this is only temporary and that a better day is ahead, but you can absolutely make the most of this period of rest!