If you’re stuck in quarantine and all you can do is wait, you’ll probably be bored with nothing to do but watch the countdown end. Good news: There are ways to pass the time while you wait. These five fun and relaxing activities will speed up the time while you’re quarantined, and you’ll be out of quarantine quicker than you think!
Find your dose of fun
You might be feeling stressed, busy, or overworked. You might want to take a break. You’ll want to try some of these ideas, as they’re not only good for you but also good for your mind. Each of these stress-busting ideas has an average time commitment so you can plan ahead. Most of them take place outside (bonus points if all happen outside!).
The beauty of this city can be found at your favorite green spot. Seek the calm of your favorite spot outside. Wherever you may find it, there’s always a bit of joy in finding the perfect spot to relax. As with anything else, find a plan ahead of time to find your peace of mind before it becomes a necessary need. Trying to find a little bit of serenity at the end of a hectic day? Keep in mind that it’s never too late to spend some time breathing in cool breezes. So if you’re up for something new with friends, Slide Rock State Park is the place to go, where visitors can find the fantastic rock formations amid waterfalls and great views.
If you’re looking to commune with nature, and you’re in a hurry, save yourself some time and energy by going at sunrise or sunset. Both will still show you all of nature’s glory, but it’ll also let you be one with nature as it descends into night. Here are some fun ideas to keep your mind off whatever’s been bothering you. One suggestion includes fall foliage drives, on those crisp fall days. You should set some time aside when life slows down to enjoy one of these great escapes from reality!
Take a day off
When trying to recover from burnout, one may take time off from work, take time to relax, or enjoy some escapism. It’s great that you can do these things in whichever way you want; you can recharge by doing a walk in nature, taking a nap after an episode of Game of Thrones, or using your hobbies as an escape. All three are valid ways to feel less stressed after a tough week—they might even make you feel like going back to work on Monday! Another good way to unwind is to turn off your electronics. New data indicates that working on more than one thing at a time may not be effective. It’s not always easy; cutting off completely can allow you to feel less tense after only a short time of disconnecting. Perhaps turning off notifications and browsing the internet in black and white for thirty minutes is all you need to unwind. The important part is to make sure you’re doing what makes sense for you.
If it’s raining outside, use it as an excuse to stay inside and enjoy some escapism! Put on some music, grab a snack, or read a book with no interruptions. The key here is just to relax—you don’t have to do anything productive (although I’m sure relaxing will make you more productive). The point of escapism is not relaxation, per se, but rather distraction. Whatever helps take your mind off things is allowed – so if you read fiction for it’s relaxing and a chance to escape, then go ahead! Keep in mind that inactivity is not the only escape – one can do something active, like taking walks or spending time with friends. So find a strategy that works for you!
Play video games
Well, this is obvious. After all, you want to be able to relax, right? Well, with so many people paying attention to screens of their choice (TVs, laptops, and smartphones), shouldn’t video games be among them? It could be a fun way to unwind after work. Just make sure you moderate your time. Video games can easily turn into obsessions that take away from other things in life such as spending time with friends or family, being productive at work or school, exercising or getting enough sleep. A little screen time is fine every now and then but don’t overdo it! If you find yourself becoming absorbed in your game to where it negatively impacts other areas of your life—it may be best to put it down for awhile.
Lots of fun video games out there. Portal 2, Battlefield 4, The Walking Dead and many more offer hours of entertainment with your friends or by yourself. For example, games like Angry Birds Star Wars II and Tiny Wings offer some needed amusement while you wait at the airport or stand in line. You might even play Minecraft with your kids. It’s appropriate for all ages!
Do more with less
Consider getting out of town
In some cases, it means taking an actual vacation to just get away from the stress, such as by going on a mini-vacation and unwinding, letting go of whatever’s been frustrating us. That’s not to say you should fall victim to ‘vacation-overload’, but rather, you should get back home to where you really belong every so often, at least. It’s important to maintain a balance between work, play, and relaxation in order to feel fulfilled in life. However, if it’s not feasible to go out of town, or you simply want to stay home instead, consider doing something to relax. Anything, so long as it is enjoyable and relaxing. here are some simple examples: take a walk in nature, read your favorite book, get together with your favorite person. Make it whatever you want as long as it doesn’t have anything to do with work! There are so many different types of things to do that might relax us.
Have a movie marathon at home
Why go out to a movie theater when you can binge-watch your favorite flicks from home? Gather up some friends and each bring a movie he or she really enjoys. Then grab some popcorn and watch. You might be surprised by how often you re-watch your favorites. It’s also an opportunity to make new discoveries, too! If you don’t have time for a marathon, try watching a TV show that everyone in your group loves. It will give everyone something to talk about while still providing some escapism. And hey, if you need more inspiration, check out these great shows on Netflix.
You deserve a break after completing your film or television marathon, so enjoy some fresh air by taking a walk outside. Even if it’s just around your block, stepping out of your home is refreshing after being inside for so long. Instead of sitting for long periods of time, this will give you the chance to walk and keep your legs and overall health strong. Just make sure to take it slow, though. Jumping from inactivity to running a marathon isn’t healthy for anyone. If you’re unsure, just start slow and go from there. You should always remember to wear sunscreen. Even when it’s nighttime, UV rays are still causing your skin damage.
Go digital
While it may seem counterintuitive, take time to unplug from technology. The digital age has afforded us a variety of fun distractions, but leaving social media sites or your phone for even short periods of time can go a long way toward improving mental health—not to mention making you more productive. Head outside or find somewhere quiet in your house (even if you don’t have some kind of office area) and enjoy that cool breeze. It doesn’t have to be long—just 20 minutes will do—but switching gears will give you something constructive to look forward to later on, especially when tasks seem difficult or monotonous.
Look for help with chores around the house
Chores can be tough, especially when we have so much going on in our lives. For example, if you’re finding it difficult to balance your day-to-day responsibilities with all of your fun activities, get help from friends or family members. For example, ask your spouse if they could prepare dinner with you once in a while. Or, you could also encourage your children to do so too! This way, you’ll enjoy some escapism without having to worry about what’s for dinner. After all, being busy is no excuse not to take care of yourself. If you don’t know where to start looking for help around your house, try asking around your neighborhood. With any luck, someone will be able to give you a hand—and then you can reciprocate next time they need it! Remember that no matter how stressful things may seem at times, there are always ways to find enjoyment and relaxation. And taking care of yourself should always come first!
