5 Enjoyable Things to Do when You Need to Stay Indoors

Photo by My Life Journal on Unsplash

In times in which your movement is restricted because of weather or health issues, doing something you enjoy can make a difference in the way you feel about the overall situation you’re facing. For example, making something creative with your hands can be very gratifying and beneficial. Research shows that creativity is therapeutic and healing. What’s also great about it is that it comes in a myriad of forms.

In this week’s blog post I talk about 5 enjoyable things we can do when we need to stay indoors.

After surviving Nepal’s earthquake of 2015, these were some of the activities that helped me cope better during the weeks in which I couldn’t go far, not even to the gym.

Photo by Uby Yanes on Unsplash

So get your creative juices ready for these 5 enjoyable things you can do when you need to stay indoors.

1. Pamper - Is there a mud mask you’ve kept in your toiletry closet for a while? Do you have a DIY scrub recipe you’ve been meaning to try but haven’t had the time? This is an opportunity to make use of those products that will help you relax and practice self-care. Why not heat up some organic coconut oil (that you probably already have in your pantry) and give yourself a scalp and hair massage?

   ♥ Idea ♥ Try this homemade body butter recipe . It is luscious and a great treat for your skin before going to bed. I used vanilla essential oil instead of lavender.

2. Bake - Baking is one of those things that evokes a feeling of joy and comfort. It is something a lot of us thoroughly enjoy and something we do with other people in mind. It is a pleasant way to to show we care. Baking enhances our everyday lives. Who doesn’t like walking into a home that smells like banana chocolate bread or maple pecan granola? Baking desserts cheers you up and gives you a moment of happy distraction.

   ♥ Idea ♥ If you want to try truly delicious vegan bakes, visit Loving it Vegan. If you are on a gluten-free diet, you could enroll in a specialized gf baking course.

3. Create - Having more time in our hands doesn’t always translate into being happier. In fact, if not used productively or creatively, it can make us feel anxious or irritable. Creating something with your hands e.g. a painting, a recipe, a puzzle, a handwritten letter can be of great psychological benefit.

   ♥ Idea ♥ If you’re not into creating, you can also do something productive like organizing your photos and files, embellishing your walls and spaces around the home without having to leave the house. Buying printable art on Etsy is smart and easy to do.

4. Read - Do you have a pile of magazines that you haven’t read in a while? What about all those books on your Kindle? Happiness researcher and author Gretchen Rubin says that activities like reading and catching up on podcasts and books help you keep the mind engaged and give you a sense of accomplishment. I know I have Cathy Heller’s Don’t Keep your Day Job book (and podcast) waiting for me. Now is the time!

   ♥ Idea ♥ If you find it hard to concentrate, you could create a mood board for a personal or office project with all the magazine clips you like the most. Here’s a guide to help you start.

5. Reconnect - Being connected to our loved ones is important to feel like we’re not isolated and to share experiences with people we know will understand us and support us. The same goes for the way we can be there for them as well. Is there someone you’ve been meaning to catch up with for a while and just haven’t been able to? What about that friend who recently had her baby and you feel like you’ve not been in touch enough?

Photo by Sarah Gualtieri on Unsplash

♥ Idea ♥ Set up FaceTime or Skype dates with friends or family far away. You can also do it through Google Hangouts. Here’s how.

One of the things that helped me during - and - in the aftermath of the 2015 Nepal earthquake was not spending too much time reading or watching the news. Seeing those images didn’t help with the feeling of overwhelm and worry I was experiencing. Such situation helped me understand that, although it is important to be informed and prepared, it is also necessary to protect my mental health by keeping a distance and doing something my mind and body will enjoy. Cooking and art are some of those things.

I hope you explore these and other ways to make your time indoors more pleasurable and calm. And as my good friend said the other day: This too shall pass.

Thank you for being here.

Namaste.

“The act of creating art enhances self-esteem, gives a sense of control, and relieves stress and tension by taking the mind off of problems. Mostly importantly, it is an outlet for emotions.”

— The Westreich Foundation