9 Fun Things to Do at Home During Quarantine
The whole planet is going through a lot of pain due to the Covid-19 pandemic; as at November 2020, over 1.29 million people succumbed to the virus. In an attempt to curb the spread, many nations have implemented stay-at-home orders. Unfortunately, increased social isolation and its downsides aren’t healthy for your well-being. For all the entertaining social gatherings that were cancelled in the wake of the Coronavirus outbreak, it will be a good idea to do your own fun things at home during the pandemic. Here are the top nine ways to have fun at home as you wait for things to return to normal.
1. Catch up on some TV shows
Quarantine is not a complete bust with TV shows. There is no more incredible feeling than spending your lockdown hours catching up on the TV series you have never had time to watch. Fortunately, from comedy shows to telenovelas, there are a lot of exciting TV programs you can enjoy. In fact, Netflix subscribers shot up to astronomical numbers because of the Coronavirus pandemic and quarantine. As of April, the BBC reported that 16 million new subscribers signed up to Netflix thanks to lockdown. This represents a two-fold increment when you consider the sign-ups Netflix saw in the previous year (2019). This means that many people don’t want their stay-at-home lives to be boring. Therefore, resorting to home-entertainment platforms is a good investment if you’re going to catch some fun.
2. Keep fit at home
Physical activities help you to clear your mind and fill you with positive energy. To get yourself in good shape for the rest of the day, try to incorporate physical activities into your at-home routines. Attending one gym class per day may not be a bad idea at all. You may notice significant changes in your fitness level. Thankfully, by working with gym instructors and health coaches, you can quickly learn how to take good care of your health through exercises.
Since the Coronavirus burst into the scenes, fitness coaches have taken their services online to meet the changing needs of their clients. Taking online fitness classes is one way to make the most out of quarantine. For instance, some fitness trainers even offer free courses on Instagram and Facebook. For those who are not interested in traditional exercising, there are still a ton of healthy options to choose from. Examples include yoga and stretching. From the comfort of your home, you can also learn weightlifting, kickboxing, and cardio exercises from virtual platforms.
3. Learn new recipes
Learning how to prepare appetizing dishes is also a good idea for quarantine. For busy workers who are now spending more time at home due to the global pandemic, perhaps lockdown is the best time to practice or improve your cooking skills. Cooking is such a fulfilling activity you can do with your family while staying safe together at home.
Whether you are preparing delicious brownies, baking cakes, or trying new recipes, the experience will always be great because there is no place like home. If you want to build on your cooking skills, getting out of your comfort zone sounds excellent. Come out post-Covid-19 looking healthier and happier than before, simply because you prepared the right dishes while staying in quarantine.
4. Read new books
Reading isn’t just a fun thing to do at home; it’s intellectually rewarding, as great thinkers are associated with being great readers. And if you are guilty of not reading enough, start digesting the books on your shelves one after the other. Don’t have enough books? Download some online or borrow best-sellers and magazines from your friends. Some digital books usually come with good discounts. However, if the virus has impacted your earnings, and you can’t afford to spend more on books, consider downloading free eBooks to your tablet, PC, or smartphone. Also, you can choose to listen to audiobooks on subjects that inspire you to a better person. Abnormal problems require big solutions. With extensive reading, you can acquire knowledge on how to overcome the various challenges you face, including those caused by the pandemic.
5. Play games
Playing video games while in quarantine is also a great way to release stress, improve your critical thinking skills, and increase your happiness. In addition to your current collection, you can play even more games with PlayStation, Xbox, or even Microsoft Store. Are you hunting for new gaming experiences? Head over to Google Stadia or Apple Arcade for more exclusive game content. Baseball or softball players and coaches can also invest in high-quality batting cages to play games at home. There are thousands of affordable and free gaming apps you can download to make your quarantine experience an absolute delight. While PC gamers can have an endless list of game options to choose from, mobile games are also abundant on Google Play Store and AppStore. NASA has also developed a fantastic game for Mac and iOS systems. Known as the NeMo-Net, this NASA-themed game allows players to explore dozens of species on the ocean floor by traveling in a Nautilus vessel.
6. Try some DIY projects
Using a social media platform like Pinterest, you can entertain yourself during quarantine while improving your creativity with fun DIY projects. Designing aesthetically pleasing images may require a great deal of skills. But with practice, the results may surprise you. While some do-it-yourself (DIY) projects may require you to have certain materials, you may not have to look far to get them — try organizing your overflowing closet and see what you get. For both kids and adults, create exciting DIY projects to make your lockdown full of entertainment and education. Examples of interesting DIY projects that can add value to your life include learning how to upcycle glass jars, building DIY suncatchers, waste management ideas, and designing face masks and hand sanitizers.
7. Connect with your friends and family
Now is one of the best times to spend quality time with your significant others if your busy work schedule has always prevented you from connecting well with your loved ones. As you stay at home with your family, you can grab some snacks, and share exciting stories with your family members at the dinner table. Assuming that you don’t stay with your family, you could pick up the phone and connect with a couple of friends. These days it’s easier to keep in touch with your pals when you use apps like FaceTime, Skype, Zoom, and WhatsApp from Facebook. Everyone is going through their own troubles due to the health crisis. But when you connect with others, you will get to know what they are up to, and whether they are doing well. Although buildings and distance may separate you, you can go online and make video calls with a few people you enjoy spending time with.
8. Plant trees
Plants are essential to human life and existence, and the topic is gaining momentum now more than ever. Did you know that if the world could plant about 20 million trees, they will collectively produce 260 million tons of oxygen for the planet and its population? Oxygen is the gaseous fuel that keeps every person alive on earth.
Trees also cleanse the atmosphere by removing carbon dioxide. In fact, 20 million trees can remove 10 million tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, improving the air quality for us. Research also shows that one average-size tree can produce enough oxygen for four family members to breathe comfortably. So, when you embark on a tree-planting project during quarantine, you are adding value to the world. Additionally, when you plant trees at the right spot around your building, you can cut down your air-conditioning costs by up to 50%.
9. Make your Fridays count
With some countries witnessing a resurgence in new infections, it’s evident that the Covid-19 pandemic may linger for a while. However, you can still make your Fridays count. Despite the Coronavirus rage, many people are dealing with tight work schedules. If that’s exactly your situation, then you need to make your weekends the best days to free yourself from work pressure. You can organize an entertaining weekend party for your family, and maybe invite a few very close friends to join you.
Put on your best clothes, turn on the music, and dine and wine in style. The pandemic is a threat to your emotional balance, but you don’t have to lose your sense of fun. As long as you adhere to the safety protocols, a Friday night party or weekend entertainment session cannot be a mistake. By enjoying happy times over the weekend, you can boost your energy for your working days.
The bottom line is that the Coronavirus is real and still active. But even as you stay safe at home, taking care of your physical and emotional needs is essential. The above ideas highlight a few exciting things you can do during the quarantine. Try them and stay safe.