Take Care Of Your Mental Health.

The isolation imposed by our current global reality can leave us feeling like we have no control over our situation, which causes a lot of uncertainty, leading to stress, anxiety, depression, etc. Time may creep by much more slowly for some people after being at home for an extended period. For others, 24 hours in a day during this period does not seem to be enough time to accomplish everything that needs to be done daily.

If you feel overwhelmed, you might want to consider online counselling such as BetterHelp.

You Are Not Alone.

Being stuck indoors is hard on everyone, including those isolated alone or with family, as our everyday lives and social interactions have been curtailed. This disruption in our daily routines can be one of the most challenging aspects of isolation. Just know that it is okay to worry or get stressed; the important thing, however, is not to dwell too long in that emotion. Read more on accepting the new normal.

Hence the advice, take care of your mental health in the grand scheme of things.

10 Indoor Activities to Help You Stay Sane

1. Make A New Routine 

Although everyone’s family dynamic or situation is unique, it is beneficial to structure one’s time much like a regular workday. In other words, it helps to create a new routine for this period to have some semblance of normalcy, such as waking up and going to bed at the same time every day; this is also very important for children as they tend to be less cranky and bored when they are on a routine and know what to expect.

Keeping small children entertained while stuck in the house and trying to work at the same time can be challenging, but it is not totally impossible. It requires some creative thinking and planning to devise a routine that works for all members of the household. Read more on how to replenish your depleted energy.

However, although daily routines are really helpful, it is important that we do not get wrapped up in following them so strictly. It is totally fine to break the routine if need be; besides, you can always create another. I personally plan every day the night before to change the activities up so as to prevent monotony. Read more: Do you enjoy being alone? 11 Benefits to enjoying quality alone time.

2. Meditate

Make out time for yourself every day to do whatever will put you at ease, clear your mind, fill you with energy and perhaps even motivate you to tackle the rest of your day in good spirits, such as meditation. There are different ways to meditate so just research and find one that works best for you. And do not forget to get enough sleep and sunlight; these will have tremendous positive effects on your mood.

3. Exercise

We all should be doing some form of exercise anyway, so we might as well seize this opportunity to make a habit of it, as there is no better time than the present. As I am sure we all know, there are numerous exercise videos available online that can be used to work out while indoors, and they are extremely beneficial to our overall well-being.

4. Stay Connected To Family And Friends Online

It is nice to share one’s feelings with others, as conversation helps one feel less alone and more supported. In other words, feeling connected to others can help to ward off feelings of loneliness and stress. One must remember that we are all still connected, even when we are apart, thanks to modern technology.

You can still get together with friends and family online or with a simple, good old-fashioned phone call. There are apps that make face-to-face conversations easy. Send emails and texts. Get in touch via social media. If you are interested, you could also look online for online religious services, cultural events, and so on, as many organisations and people are offering digital gatherings. Read more on 70 things you can be thankful for.

5. Gardening

If you haven’t already, try your hand at gardening and get some much-needed sunlight for yourself. Gardening is therapeutic, at least for me. Tilling the soil and watching plants grow and bloom can take one’s mind off many things.

It makes a lot of sense to start an indoor garden during this very trying period, especially if you do not have the space for it outside. And what to grow is really up to you, as there is so very much to choose from. You could plant air-purifying plants, cacti which are low maintenance or herbs, be mindful, however, of poisonous plants, especially if you have small children and pets.

6. Find A New Hobby

Working on a hobby is definitely a fun activity. When stuck indoors, finding new hobbies to occupy your time is a great indoor activity, as it challenges your creativity. Depending on your interests, finding a creative outlet will most likely make your time being cooped up indoors a more pleasurable experience.

You would have something to look forward to every day. There are lots of fun activities to explore such as sewing, reading, playing games, making short videos, the list is endless.

7. Declutter And Clean Your Space

This is super therapeutic. Trust me, the satisfaction derived from decluttering and cleaning one’s space lasts way longer than that derived from retail therapy (shopping). It is pretty much a workout in itself and leaves you feeling great with a clean space to show for it.

8. Bring Out Your Inner Chef

Cooking is a great indoor activity, although you could also do some grilling outside if you have the space and the equipment. There is no better time than the present, especially being stuck indoors and all, to try your hand at some new recipes. Experimental cooking, baking, whatever sparks your interest. Your home, your rules, bring out your inner chef.

If you haven’t done so already, you might want to consider switching up your diet a little bit to tilt more towards the healthier side. It is worth a try.

9. Make Time for Your Pet(s)

If you have a pet or pets, then you know they can totally feel the changed vibe and as such, they need extra love and attention. So you could spend some quality time with your pet(s), and it would be greatly appreciated. This is also a great outdoor or indoor activity for toddlers or bigger kids. This could also be a great time to teach your pet(s) a new trick or two. Groom them and talk to them so they do not feel left out.

10. Find A Captivating Series to Watch

Another great indoor activity is to find a captivating series to watch. Movie Series are long to watch. And require a good investment of your time to get to the end. So, find one you like, be it action, comedy, reality TV shows, whatever, and it will keep you occupied and entertained.