Now that we’re all spending more time indoors, it’s more important than ever to find ways to keep busy and stay happy. It can be tempting to curl up positive ways to spend time under a blanket and binge-watch the latest boxset, and this may be a great way to spend the time, on occasion. However, there are other more fulfilling ways to spend the time. Here are some suggestions.
Writing
You don’t have to be the next Stephen King or J. K. Rowling to take up writing. You don’t have to share your scribbled-down words with anyone else, if you don’t want to. As winter can be a cold and depressing time for some people, just having an outlet to air your most private thoughts can be an amazing form of therapy. While it can’t replace speaking to a professional, if you’re struggling with your mental health, it can work alongside more traditional therapy. An online therapy app such as Relief Seeker can help you find professional treatment to suit your needs.
Knitting
There may have been a time when knitting was considered uncool, but it has since become a more popular pastime. Many knitters like the feeling of achievement they get from completing a project, whether it’s a simple scarf or a more complicated jumper. Knitted items can also make great presents for Christmas, or birthdays during the winter months. The positive ways to spend time by the personalized touch of having something created rather than bought can make the gift feel extra special.
Podcasting
You might have heard some of the more popular podcasts, but there are many smaller podcasts also being produced and it’s not that difficult to get started. There are several platforms you can upload your podcast to and quite a few that distribute it to many of the larger podcast channels. If you have something that interests you and you can come up with a way to make it sound interesting on a weekly or monthly basis, and you own a microphone, you can start a podcast. You probably won’t get thousands of subscribers, but the thrill of connecting with like-minded people who listen can be fun.
Painting
Positive ways to spend time by painting is also great for boosting your mood while spending more time at home – not painting your walls (unless you want to), but painting to create artwork. There are so many books available, aimed at different levels of abilities, from beginners to more experienced artists. It’s never too late to learn and you might even create something that you’re proud to display in your home.
Home improvements
As you’re spending more time at home, you might want to consider any home improvements you’ve been putting off. Making sure that your home is the way that you want it will make you feel happier about spending more time there.
If you’re working from home, you might want to start with your study. Being happier and more comfortable in your work environment can lead to being more productive. As many people spend a large part of their waking life working, it makes sense to make adjustments and improve your workspace.
Exercise
It might not be very warm outside, but as long as you wrap up warm, a brisk walk could do a lot to improve your mood and help to warm you up. However, if you don’t want to leave the comfort of your home, you could always try one of the many online exercise videos or apps, or you could create your own routine. You will get the blood flowing, feel warmer, improve your fitness, and generally feel happier at having done some exercise.
Learning new skills
Spending more time at home can mean that you have more free time for learning new skills – whether it’s a new language for when you can finally travel abroad again, or something that you’ve wanted to learn for a while. Now is the time to sign up for an online course. If you search online, you’ll find many free or cheap courses for you to try. Some are full courses, while others are free tasters, but at least these will give you a better idea of whether you want to sign up for the full course.
Although you might wish that you could be somewhere else, you can make the best of being at home and turn it into a positive ways to spend time experience. Whether you’re learning something new, or starting/resuming an exercise routine, or just offloading all your thoughts into a notebook, you can find ways to improve your mood.
