It’s funny how we crave breaks until we’re forced to take them. Whether you’re spending a vacation with nowhere to go, or you’re stuck at home during winter, too much free time can be unbearable. The fact that you’ve already established a daily routine makes it even worse.
If you’re looking for ways to fill your time, here are some great ideas. They span from productivity tips to advise on how to unwind.
Get productive
Even though they are having an off-day, most people can’t shut their brain off long enough to actually enjoy it. Even though the best thing to do with time off is to relax, being productive helps, too. If you find it tough to shut off your brain, here are activities to keep you busy.
Read a book
Everybody has at least one book that they always wanted to read. Either it’s a riveting story like Moby Dick or nonfiction like How to Win Friends and Influence People, we all understand the value of reading. But then, there are only so many hours in the day, so we seldom get to it. Now is your chance.
Instead of trying to finish the whole book at once, try pacing yourself. If you have a few days at home, consider reading some chapters/pages daily. That way, you’ll make progress, but won’t tire yourself out. Plus, your slow pace can keep you interested in what comes next in the book.
Pick up a new language
Science has shown that as you grow older, it gets harder to learn a new language or master a new musical instrument. You may be one of the people who decided to prove science wrong. Many language apps are available these days, from Duolingo to Babel. You can install these and make daily progress.
Start by learning the names of items you interact with daily – table, chair, phone. These will help you keep the language in mind, even when you’re not actively practicing. As your vocabulary increases, so will your proficiency. This activity is also great because you can adapt it to your busy schedule when your stay-at-home is over.
Get in shape
People rarely turn to exercise when they have free time. Sometimes, it’s because they are unmotivated, and other times, getting in shape is just too daunting. However, you don’t have to lose all your extra weight on the first day. In fact, you’ll make better progress if you pace yourself. Start with a few laps around the house. If you want to start even smaller than that, consider doing some mild stretching in the living room.
Create daily goals and meet them. The habit of exercise is built up, and every day you show up counts. Additionally, exercise releases dopamine, which activates our body’s reward system. You won’t only get in shape, but you’ll also feel great doing it.
Call your friends
Now may also be the time to pick up the phone and talk to the friend you never get to see. Distance, busy schedules, or life can separate us from the people that matter to us. But then, technology can bring us back together.
If you don’t get them, try leaving a message, scheduling a call. Your friend will probably be glad to hear from you since it’s been so long since you spoke. You could also make it a Skype call, so you can have the feeling of talking face to face. Reconnecting with old friends can be rewarding, and it may be just what you need to occupy your time.
Have some fun
If you’re having an off-day, it only makes sense to spend it relaxing. There are a lot of things to do for fun, and most people have their own activities lined up. From baking to painting a space, many people know exactly what they want to do with their downtime. However, if you’re open, here are some fun ideas on how to spend your day.
Play games with friends
Having company is always fun, and can make tedious hours go by in a flash. If you have friends or family around, try some home games. Your family members’ age determines which games you can play, from building forts to laundry basketball.
Hardwood floors open up a whole new world of games for you, from Ping-Pong to domino runs. If you’re considering installing some new floors, Homespure.com Flooring is the business for you. They are veterans at flooring, with a wealth of experience and tons of options.
Get mobile games
If you’re alone, you can still enjoy the thrill of games by installing some on your mobile phone. There are many games to choose from, and your first challenge may be where to begin! Any app store has adventure games, RPG games, minimal games, and everything in between.
Once you find a game, your second challenge may be getting yourself to stop playing because of how addictive they can be.
Binge a TV show
Binge-watching a TV show is one of the most popular pastimes, and for a good reason. Thanks to Netflix, you have thousands of series on-demand and available at your pace. You can find a brand-new show, or rewatch classics like Game of Thrones and Breaking Bad.
Now may also be the time to explore the show your friend wouldn’t stop talking about. It might not have had an appeal when you were busy. Now that you have lots of time on your hands, check it out to see if the show is worth all the hype.
Solve puzzles
If you have a jigsaw puzzle lying around, now is the best time to break it out and piece it together. Solving puzzles can engage your mind, while also giving you the pleasure of a fun activity. Besides a jigsaw, there are other puzzles, like sudoku and crossword, for you to try.
You don’t need to have these games to enjoy them. Installing simulation apps on your phone will give you a similar experience as the physical games. If you happen to be reading a mystery novel, you could also try solving the puzzle in the book. It will be all the more satisfying if you find out you were right!