The Coronavirus pandemic has affected the daily lives of everyone. Between social distancing and being ordered to shelter in place at home to try to limit exposure to the virus, many of us might be feeling a little stir-crazy.
It’s only natural to want to get out and be physically and socially active. The good news is that while our regular routines are on hold right now, being at home doesn’t have to be boring. Here is a list of 10 fantastic things to do from the comfort of your own home that can break up the cycle of boredom and keep you entertained.
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1. Binge-watch your favorite movies and TV programs
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All you need is an internet connection to be able to view first-rate films, television series, and documentaries. PBS, Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, and others have content for free or at a small fee that you can watch on your own TV or computer.
2. Listen to music
Physical music sales have plummeted, but that doesn’t mean that people have stopped listening to their favorite tunes. Music streaming services like Pandora, Spotify, Soundcloud, and YouTube allow you to listen to your favorite artist and discover some new ones along the way. Also, you can look for some cool radio stations online which work very smoothly.
3. Play games online
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No matter your age, being able to play a game can help to alleviate boredom and to keep your mind active. There are lots of sites like BingoMania that offer games online to kids and adults alike. If you’ve been missing seeing your friends at the local bingo hall, for example, why not take advantage of some of the bingo games that are offered by online casinos? In addition to bingo, many sites provide other casino favorites like poker and roulette to earn real money. You can do it all without ever having to leave the comfort of your favorite chair or even your bed.
4. Read more books
Almost any book you care to name is available in a digital version online. If you have a library card, most local libraries have an option that allows patrons to check out books virtually. Other websites such as Forgotten Books, Scribd, and even Amazon offer access to an unlimited range of books that you can download and read for free or for under $10 per month.
5. Learn a new language
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Whether you want to brush up on your Spanish, have dreamed of someday being able to order off the menu in French, or watch your favorite Italian films and know what’s being said, now is a great time to give it a try. Duolingo and Babbel have websites and smartphone apps that let you learn any language any time at your own pace.
6. Learn something that you’ve wanted to learn but put off doing
If you’ve been wanting to finally pick up learning how to play the guitar, bake bread, or learn a new craft like Navajo rug weaving, now is the perfect time to do it! There are lots of free lessons out there for any skill you may have in mind. Musicians such as Queen’s Brian May, rock musician and classical composer, Kip Winger, Ann Wilson of Heart, and others have been doing their part to help the rest of us by offering online lessons or collaborative projects via Instagram and YouTube for free.
7. Take an online course to learn a new skill to advance your career
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These days, during the pandemic, it is a good opportunity to learn new skills at any time of the day, and anywhere we are.
Universities and colleges have also been affected by the current pandemic. Many of these learning institutions, including top Ivy League Schools, have been offering Massive Open Online Courses or MOOCs for almost a decade. While many courses offered for free are not for credit, you can take them anywhere and at any time.
Coursera maintains a list of many course offerings ranging from law to anthropology and computer programming. Microsoft’s business platform, LinkedIn also offers many business-related courses on its LinkedIn Learning site. Learn SEO optimization, how to start a profitable blog, or hone your skills using Adobe Photoshop. Many of these available courses offer a certificate upon completion so you can add them to your resume.
8. Start your own podcast or YouTube channel
If you have a particular interest or skill of your own, why not take this time at home to share it with others? You can do that through a podcast or a YouTube channel for free! Armed with only a laptop or even a smartphone, today, it’s possible to be your very own media production company. There are several sites like Blogger, which allow you to record audio and put out a podcast. If you have been dreaming of having your own YouTube channel, Blender and Lightworks, for example, offer you a way to edit videos you take through a video camera or smartphone. Find other creative folks from around the world at HitRecord and collaborate on an established or new project. Companies like Netflix, Sundance, the Television Academy, and Harper Collins are site sponsors and are always on the lookout for new, exciting projects!
9. Virtual museum tours
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Now is the perfect time to take the coolest international museum tours and take in the world’s most celebrated art from the comfort of your own home. Google Arts & Culture and Fast Company have teamed up with over 2500 museums and galleries around the world to offer virtual tours and online exhibits of some of the most famous museums around the world.
10. Virtual zoo and aquariums
Want to watch animals from your home? There are a wide selection of virtual zoo tours and aquariums from around the world that will provide kids and parents with a few hours of entertainment.
While the pandemic seems as if it will drag on forever, and that returning to a sense of normalcy is far away, we can get through this. It’s challenging, but by trying some of these activities, it may make the time a bit more enjoyable for you and your loved ones.
