By now, we all know the importance of “flattening the curve.” To help prevent the spread of coronavirus, the CDC recommends avoiding crowds larger than 10 people. It looks like many of us will be staying home for a while, so how do you avoid cabin fever? Thankfully there are plenty of activities you can enjoy during this time. Here are 25 fun and productive things to do from home while social distancing.
While the situation is not ideal, having a positive mindset is so important. Instead of focusing on all of the things you can’t do, think about all of the things you can do from home while social distancing. Take this as an opportunity to unplug, spend time with your family and pets, and work towards your future goals.
25 Things to Do From Home While Social Distancing
1. Hug Your Dogs
And walk them… And play with them… And tell them what very good doggos they are. While working from home, you’ll have plenty of time to cuddle with your fur babies. They will appreciate the extra attention and you’ll love having them right by your side. It’s a win-win situation for all.
2. Yoga
Inhale positivity. Exhale anxiety and fear. Let your worries melt away as you focus on stretching and deep breathing techniques. Yoga is great for your mind, body, and soul. Research shows that it can even reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and improve your mood. Luckily, it’s easy to do right at home.
Clear out space in your living room or find a peaceful spot in the backyard. If you don’t have a yoga mat, a towel or a blanket will work too. For maximum results, try to meditate for at least 30 minutes each day. There are millions of free yoga classes online, but if you’re looking for a good place to start, check out Yoga With Adriene. With over 6.25 million subscribers, there’s no disputing that she’s the queen of YouTube yoga!
3. Pamper Yourself
Who says you can’t have a spa day at home? If there was ever a time to focus on self-care, now is it. Treat yourself to a fresh new mani/pedi, take a candlelit bubble bath, or revitalize those locks with a deep conditioning treatment. Put on a face mask while you’re at it and binge your favorite chick flicks.
4. Drink Wine
When in doubt: Keep calm, socially distance, and have some wine. You can even have it delivered straight to your door. If you don’t want to go to the store, check out online retailers like Wine.com, K&L Wines, or Last Bottle.
5. Take a Virtual Tour of Famous Museums
Calling all art-enthusiasts and history buffs! Would you like to travel the world without leaving your couch? To help people cope with staying home, Google teamed up with over 2,500 museums and art galleries to offer virtual tours and online exhibits. Right now, you can see some of the world’s most famous museums with just a click of a button. See stunning masterpieces from Picasso, Monet, Rembrandt, and more. The collection includes The British Museum in London, the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, and the Guggenheim in NYC, among others.
The Paris Museums even put more than 150,000 images online for unrestricted public use. Feel free to download or share any that you please.
6. Watch Broadway Plays and Musicals at Home
You might not be able to book a flight to NYC right now, but you can still catch the latest Broadway show. From Rent and Cats to Sweeny Todd, here’s a list of Broadway plays and musicals you can stream right now.
7. Plan Your Next Amazing Vacation
Ok, so we might be a little biased on this one. But while you have the extra time, take a moment to dream about your next exotic getaway. When all of this is over and you can finally leave your home, where in the world do you want to go? Perhaps you’re picturing white sandy beaches in the Caribbean, rainforests in Thailand, or romantic cities in France. Maybe you’re just ready to hop in your car and take a road trip to literally anywhere at this point.
The CDC recommends staying home right now to prevent the spread of COVID-19, but you can still plan ahead for your next getaway. Knowing that there’s a light at the end of the tunnel can actually help keep cabin fever at bay. For now, you can live vicariously through Youtube videos, travel blogs, and documentaries. Take this time to dream, plan, and put together the perfect vacation itinerary. When the time comes, you’ll be all set and ready to go!
Are you looking for travel inspo? Check out our blog for vacation ideas!
8. Grow Your Garden
Gardening is another activity that you can enjoy at home. Not only can it keep you busy for hours, but you’ll find joy in watching beautiful things grow. Plant your own vegetables, fruits, and flowers and see them bloom over time. There is healing in horticulture, and studies show that it’s great for your mental health.
9. Exercise
While many gyms are closing their doors, you don’t have to stop exercising! There are several options for at-home workouts. Now would be a great time to invest in a Peloton or Beachbody On Demand. Many free options are available as well. Planet Fitness is offering free at-home workout classes via live stream. Peloton is also offering a free 90-day subscription trial for its workout app.
10. Binge Your Favorite Shows
Over the next month, many will be turning to streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and Amazon. Catch up on all the shows and movies you’ve been too busy to watch. If you have kids, here’s a list of educational shows to consider.
11. Go Kayaking
You can still enjoy the great outdoors while social distancing. One option is to go kayaking along a secluded river, creek, or stream. Enjoy the peace and quiet while you navigate beautiful waterways. Just make sure to avoid other people!
12. Walk Through the Woods
When was the last time you unplugged? Take a walk alone through the woods and reconnect with nature. Explore scenic hiking trails, look for wildlife, and have a picnic lunch beneath the trees.
13. Go Camping
Another idea is to enjoy some good old-fashioned camping in the backyard. Roast s’mores over the fire, tell spooky ghost stories, and relax outdoors. Don’t have a yard? As an alternative, here are 33 National Park Tours you can take virtually from the comfort of your home. Set up a tent right in the living room and make microwave s’mores for the full effect.
14. Grill Out
You can still have the same weekend cookout or backyard barbecue — just without the crowds. Grill hamburgers, hot dogs, steak, corn on the cob, asparagus and squash. Make sides like watermelon, mac n’ cheese, potato salad, deviled eggs and chips. You’ll have a delicious feast in no time and plenty of tasty leftovers for the coming week.
15. Start a Blog
Do you enjoy writing? Blogging is a great way to pass the time. It can even help earn you some extra cash from home! Whether you’re passionate about fashion, sports, travel, or parenting, find your niche and start creating amazing content. You never know where it might lead in a few months.
16. Paint
If you’re artistic, now is the time to get those watercolors out. Paint the stunning masterpieces you just didn’t have time to create before. Experiment with pastels, acrylics, oils, and ink. Looking for more creative ideas? Whitewash your old furniture, finger paint with the kids, or give the interior of your home a complete makeover.
17. Go Birding
Birding is another activity you can enjoy while social distancing. Get away from people and go to wide-open spaces like Audubon’s Silver Bluff Center and Sanctuary. Bring your binoculars and keep an eye out for hummingbirds, owls, and songbirds in their natural habitat.
18. Go Bicycling
Not only is cycling great exercise, but you can also easily keep your distance from people. However, bicycling is not a great option if you live in a large, crowded city. Use your best judgment.
19. Read a Book
Want to switch things up a bit? After all, you can only watch so much Netflix! Trade your remote control for the latest page-turner instead! Find a book that you can’t put down and get lost in another world.
20. Spend Quality Time With Family
When was the last time you had the whole family under one roof without distractions? If you’re looking for things to do, a little imagination can go a long way. Build a blanket fort, play board games, or challenge each other to a round of UNO. Have a family movie night, enjoy cooking together, and have everyone pitch in with chores.
If you have kids, you may be looking for ways to provide educational content. Here are more than 150 educational shows streaming right now on Netflix. Cincinnati Zoo is also live-streaming daily animal lessons throughout school closures.
21. Stargaze
Order a telescope online, set out a blanket in the backyard, and enjoy a celestial light show in the sky. Stargazing is one of the most underrated things to do from home while social distancing. Check out some of the most exciting astronomical events happening in March and April. And don’t miss the meteor showers on April 22nd and 23rd!
22. Do Some Spring Cleaning
Are you looking for productive things to do at home while social distancing? Spring cleaning should be at the top of your list. Finish that chore that you’ve been putting off, get that yard work done, and clear out unnecessary clutter. You’re going to be living at home for a while now, so you’ll feel much better in a clean house.
23. Learn A New Language
Want to learn Spanish, French, or Mandarin right at home? Now’s a good time to expand your vocabulary with Rosetta Stone.
24. DIY Projects
What are your favorite hobbies? Do you enjoy crafting or sewing? Perhaps you’ve always wanted to repurpose your living room table or make your own jewelry. Here are some of the coolest DIY projects to try this spring.
25. Support Your Local Businesses
If you are able to, please support your small businesses. They are being hit especially hard right now. While you shouldn’t go out, you can purchase gift cards from your local business to use at a later time. This will help stimulate the economy now for a return later.
Did You Find This Blog Helpful? Give it a Like or Share on Facebook!
Now that you have some ideas for things you can do at home while social distancing, it’s time to flatten the curve. Feel free to add your own ideas in the comments. And if you found this blog helpful, please spread the word. Stay safe folks and don’t forget to wash your hands!