It can feel frustrating in days like these, not being able to leave the house – but there are some engaging ways to spend your time at home. From creative outlets, relieving stress to just simply having some fun, below are some great ideas to keep yourself occupied and entertained.
Try Painting…
Painting can be a great stress reliever, and you don’t need to be artistically gifted to have some fun with it. If painting is a skill of yours, it’s a great hobby to indulge in; if you aren’t experienced in it, it’s a fantastic thing to try out! Experiment with different types – we recommend watercolours as a cheap option for beginners – and explore abstract shapes to unlock some creative juices. This is a brilliant idea for children, as it engages them and bonds the family, while providing some cute mementos for you to treasure or place around the house.
…or Drawing
If painting is too messy for you or not your style, a nice alternative is to get a sketchbook and some pens or pencil and try your hand at drawing. Again, you don’t have to create masterpieces for this to be a rewarding experience. Many adults forget how important having creative outlets is for your mental wellbeing, and there is great satisfaction in seeing your work progress if you decide to keep it up.
Online Games
This is a fun way to brighten up your day and create some much needed ‘me time’ for many of us stuck in lockdown. There are so many different types of games to play online, from RPGs and stealth games, to educational games to occupy the kids with maths and English lessons hidden in the fun. For games that come with a bit more thrill, UK bingo sites or sites for online poker allow you to play for real profits, creating a more dynamic tension to your evening. Roger.com is the best UK site for bingo and slots reviews as well as links to the best bingo sites offering the best deals.
Make sure to play responsibly, and these activities can be thoroughly enjoyable ways to spend your time (and if you’re any good, financially productive too!).
Learn an Instrument
If you have extra time on your hands, one the best ways to use it productively is by learning an instrument. Either you can rediscover a long-lost passion for music in the guitar you put down a couple years ago and haven’t picked up since, or this is a rare opportunity to pursue an instrument you have never tried but always wanted to. There is an amazing resource of free videos online that can help you on your journey – filled with inspirational covers, tutorials and lessons that you can try out. These range across all skill levels: beginner, intermediate or advanced, so there’s something for everyone.
Decorate the House
This is a perfect time to take a step back and reflect on whether your home looks the way you want it to at the moment – and if it doesn’t, it’s time to change it! You want the space you live in to feel as safe and comfortable as possible, and often the interior of a property can have a great effect on the mood and stress levels of its inhabitants. Try re-organising the space to spruce things up and create change, and invest in some new items or photos to update your décor. This can often feel like a huge project once it gets going, so take your time and make use of the opportunity to make real changes to your life.
Get Your Gardening Gloves On!
Gardening is one of the most rewarding hobbies there can be; you literally watch your efforts grow into something useful and delicious (fruits and veg) or beautiful and sweet smelling (flowers). It can be a great form of exercise and a way to involve your kids in an activity which holds their interest (instead of a screen), and teaches them important skills and responsibilities. The bonding and memories this creates in families is just a bonus for social development, but it can also be a really meditative hobby for those who live alone. It can be an opportunity for introspection and peaceful solitude which can be rare in an age of incessant social media and work deadlines.
If you don’t have a garden, a nice alternative is growing a mini herb garden in your kitchen. Basil, parsley, and chives are staple ingredients to use in lots of different dishes, and taste best fresh from the plant instead of store bought.
Try Home Exercise
One of the main reasons for a build-up of stress or anxiety is a lack of exercise making you feel extra tense and unhappy. A great way to relieve this healthily is by trying out some home exercise. Yoga is a brilliant, gentle form of exercise which is suitable for any age group. There are videos online that can guide you through sessions, from more intense workouts to calming meditations. More rigorous workout videos can also be found, and if you are willing to splash the cash, treadmills or cycling machines are a great way to do cardio without leaving the house. Make sure you give yourself space and stretch before and after to prevent injuries.
Call Your Loved Ones
This is simple, but an effective way to boost your mood and get connected with friends and family. Making the effort to check in will strengthen your relationships and provide some well-needed love and attention to soothe yourself as well. You can organise some fun games and quizzes, try cooking together over a call, or just sit and chat for a bit with some tea and biscuits. This is a great way to socialise from the comfort of your home, and there’s not even any pressure to get dressed up and out of your pyjamas!
These are just a few ideas to occupy yourself in healthy and fun ways around the house. Try out the ones that appeal to you – or try them all if you are looking to try new hobbies and find new passions.
