Beating the Boredom: 30 Activities to Stay Busy Inside

Due to the coronavirus, many people around the world are stuck inside on the brink of boredom. But just because you have to be inside doesn’t mean you can’t have fun. 

Many states are beginning to issue “stay at home” or “shelter in place” orders. While we are staying safe inside and limiting the spread of the current coronavirus, I am supplying you with 30 activities that you can do inside your own home. 

1. Learn a language or review your current knowledge

This is always a way to bury your head in a book or app while bettering yourself. Most people know of the app Duolingo, but you can also download other apps or look up the language online.

2. Watch movies

If you have a subscription to Disney Plus, Frozen 2 has recently been released. Disney Plus also has all the Marvel movies, so you would have plenty of binge-able material to keep you occupied. If you are missing your friends, you can watch a movie with them via Netflix Party while maintaining social distancing.

3. Research the history of your hometown

There are a lot of cities and small towns in the Midwest with rich history. Go to your town’s website and try to dig into the history of the place you live.

4. Binge a TV show

I have a subscription to Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime and Disney Plus. I have many recommendations. On Netflix, I think All American, Gilmore Girls and many others are great. Hulu has a lot of TV series, but I highly recommend Letterkenny. Amazon Prime has Downton Abbey and Bones. Disney Plus has the famous Mandalorian (aka the Baby Yoda show).

5. Read a book

Even if your public library is closed, a lot of libraries have online access to e-books. I, personally, like hard copies more, but sometimes we have to deal with what we are offered.

6. Read a comic series

I prefer hard copies of comics, but Webtoons and Go Comics have decent selections of comics online.

7. Solve puzzles

You know those jigsaw puzzles that are shoved to the back of your closet, collecting dust? Take them out, play some music, and get to solving the puzzle.

8. Watch a zoo livestream

There are a lot of zoos that have live streams on their websites because they are closed down due to the coronavirus outbreak. The Smithsonian National Zoo, The Houston Zoo, The San Diego Zoo, The National Aquarium, along with many other zoos have live streams of animals.

9. Give yourself a manicure

Whether you identify as a female, male or another gender, it is always refreshing to take care of your nails.

10. Create a Pinterest board or add to your current boards

Whenever I am bored out of my mind, Pinterest is my go-to. I have boards ranging from my favorite quotes to recipes to my dream home. Pinterest is never short on material for creating or adding to your boards.

11. Go through your closet

Depending on how many clothing items you have, this may take a while. But the purpose of this list is to offer something to pass the time. Whip out the bins or garbage bags, try on your clothes and set aside the ones that no longer fit you. Once the coronavirus passes and we don’t have to worry about quarantining, you can donate your clothes.

12. Cook or bake

There are an infinite amount of recipes on the Internet. I have recently started writing down old family recipes into my own cookbook. Maybe you can start your own record of your family’s recipes. Whether you find recipes from your family or online, cooking and baking is a great way to pass the time. You can also save the leftovers, and you will have meals for a few days.

13. Video chat with friends or family

There are a lot of platforms through which you can see and talk with your family virtually. Facetime and Google Duo are two of my favorites.

14. Sing and dance to music

If you are looking to remind yourself of the power of God, these worship songs are for you. Looking to get over a break-up? Check out these break-up songs. Or maybe you are just looking for a mixture of all kinds of music to jam to.

15. Take a bubble bath

Grab those bath bombs and that hot tea and soothing playlist, so you can finally relax.

16. Update your resume

A lot of people are losing jobs or being temporarily laid off. If you are one of these people and you can’t get your mind off the post-coronavirus economy, then this might be something to help soothe your anxiety. 

17. Clean up your email’s inbox

As of right now, I have over 300+ unread emails from my favorite restaurants and shopping stores. This is definitely on my to-do list during quarantine.

18. Write a story or a poem

There are a lot of short story prompts to help you get a story started. Nowadays, there are a lot of emotions flowing through each person that could inspire a poem, too. 

19. Update your journal or start one

During such a chaotic and impactful time, this year will definitely go down in history. Write down all your thoughts in a journal. Maybe one day you will look back at your journal entries during the coronavirus pandemic and it will remind you to keep pushing even through hard times.

20. Make a fort in your living room

Do you have rambunctious kids? This will temporarily satisfy their creative brains. Besides, who doesn’t love a good fort?

21. Do laundry

Whether you say “wash your clothes,” “put the clothes to wash,” or “do you laundry,” it means the same thing. Now, stop being lazy, and go get your clothes cleaned!

22. Interview your grandparents over the phone

Our grandparents have been through a lot; they will offer advice if you ask for it.

23. Clean out your camera roll

Recently, I went through my phone’s gallery and deleted over 2,000 photos dating all the way back to high school. I backed them up on my Google Photos, so I didn’t completely lose them, though. Maybe this would be a good way to look back at good memories, too.

24. Have a selfie photoshoot

This is a great time to be goofy and embrace the beauty that each and every one of you displays. If you want to keep them for yourself, I support that. You can also add them to Instagram. After all, we are in this quarantine together.

25. Make a YouTube or TikTok video

I am still trying to get the courage to make a TikTok video, but I think you should consider doing it, too! It is a fun way to pass the time and join your community during such a trying time.

26. Scroll through social media

Be careful with this one. Sometimes scrolling through social media can make you more sad than joyful. However, if you really want a way to pass your time, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and many other social media platforms are a great way to pass time; social media is the deepest rabbit hole of the 21st century.

27. Plan a party

We obviously can’t attend any parties right now. However, as soon as the coronavirus is no longer a major threat, there are going to be the best grill-outs and parties of the decade.

28. Exercise

Whether it is stretching or running miles at a time, exercise is always good for the body and the soul.

29. Sleep

Most people love sleeping, but be careful. With my depression, sleeping too much can make me even more depressed, and I know I am not the only one in that boat. 

30. Read Her Campus articles!

We at Her Campus spend our time writing articles for you, our dedicated readers, and we try to make our articles as fun as possible. Her Campus offers topics for everyone, from sports to relationship advice. Take a scroll through Winona State’s Her Campus articles; our chapter is filled with strong, independent, talented women who write with the intention of entertaining you.

Even if you don’t feel like you are sick, you may still be a carrier of COVID-19. Social distancing is the key to beating this virus. 

Remember that you are not in this alone! Each and every one of us is fighting to make it through this difficult time that is filled with uncertainty. We are all on this journey together. 

Please, my lovelies, stay safe!

• Coronavirus
• march
• quarantine
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• Winona