10 Productive Things To Do While Under Quarantine
Now that most of us are stuck at home, there’s a pressure to be productive with so much free time on our hands. While there’s absolutely no obligation to be productive at this time, it can help take your mind off of the current state of the world. If you are looking for things to do while you are under quarantine, check out these activities to do in the safety of your own home.
1. Meditate
Being productive doesn’t always mean going out or completing tasks related to school or work. This can be the time to really focus on yourself when many things have been put on hold. Meditation allows you to also slow down and make sure you are taking care of yourself first and foremost. Even though it may seem easy, letting your mind be clear of thoughts can be a challenge when first starting out. Luckily, you have all the time to allow this into your daily routine. Find a playlist of calming nature noises or surround yourself in complete silence to give yourself time to relax.
2. Exercise
On the opposite side, some physical activity can also help you feel more productive. Even with gyms across the country closed, you can still get a workout done without all the equipment. There are plenty of videos online and fitness apps that make sure you can still remain active even if you are staying home for the foreseeable future. If you want fresh air, you can start taking up running or jogging as long as you maintain social distance. Even walking around the block a few times is a great way to stay active and productive and also helps feel as though you are completely stuck at home.
3. Read
Have a stack of books that you will “eventually get to”? Now is the perfect time to get started on that dense novel that you have been staring at which you swore you would read at some point. Set aside some time in your schedule for reading books, magazines, or online blogs. Set a goal of reading a chapter or a set amount of time to read every day. Even if you set aside 15 to 30 minutes for reading, you can always extend your reading time if you feel yourself getting sucked into a really good book. Entertainment is definitely important at this time, and reading can definitely keep you entertained for hours on end.
4. DIY crafts
Since you are going to be staying home for such a long time, you can at least make your home more decorative while you’re there. You can be productive by looking up crafts to do with supplies you might already have in your home. While certain decor pieces might be out of your budget, you can still recreate them for far less while also adding your own personal touch. There are plenty of online tutorials where you can find inspiration. You might even find the one thing that has been missing from your home that has been missing. From vases to wall decor, you can take up new skills like knitting or painting which just might become your brand new hobbies.
5. Learn a language
Just because you may not be traveling for a while doesn’t mean you shouldn’t learn a new language. This is one of the best productive things you could do since it helps give you something to focus on and continue to improve upon. No matter if you are still in school or not, it’s always helpful to learn something new. Plenty of apps and websites can help you learn a brand new set of vocabulary and grammar. You just might be fluent enough to confidently use this new language once it’s safe to travel again.
6. Paint
Another creative outlet that you could start to take up is painting. Even if you have never considered yourself an artist, you shouldn’t let that hold you back. You can find tutorials (Bob Ross anyone?) or just simply paint freehandedly. Dig up that set of watercolor paints or order a brand new set and create your own masterpiece.
7. Clean
As one of the most important things to be doing right now, cleaning is a great way to stay productive. If you feel like a deep clean has been long overdue, start small and go at it a couple of steps at a time. Try focusing on one room per day and put all your focus on that one room. This keeps you from feeling overwhelmed at the thought of cleaning an entire house if you are by yourself unless you are feeling up to the task. Make sure to wipe hard surfaces and wash your hands before and after. Feel free to play music or have a TV show on in the background to make the task more fun.
8. Cook
What better time is there than to learn how to make your own meals. Cooking is considered an essential skill and lets you be creative with the meals you eat. There are plenty of recipes to learn for every meal. Some recipes might even include items you already have in your kitchen! If you do find yourself having to go grocery shopping, please be cautious like always.
9. Write
Since it feels like we are living in uncertain times, it can cause many feelings. If you’re looking for an outlet for these feelings, writing could definitely be helpful. You don’t have to write an entire novel, but try writing out a paragraph or a page a day about literally anything. It doesn’t even have to be a coherent story; you can write about your feelings as part of a daily journal if you feel so compelled. Above all, writing should be fun or at least somewhat enjoyable. It doesn’t have to be shared if you don’t want to be, you have the option to keep it personal.
10. Reach out
Although you might be physically distant from your friends and other loved ones, you don’t have to feel like you are going through this alone. Since this is something that literally everyone is dealing with, you can always reach out to people to see how they are doing. The power of technology lets us communicate face to face even without being in each other’s presence. You never know how much it can mean to someone to let them know you are thinking of them.
