We’re all spending a lot of time at home lately. After staying in for some time, it’s expected that things can get a bit boring. Whether you’re staying home from school, working from home, or spending time taking care of your children, here are ten easy ways to have fun at home.
1. Dive into a new book
Want to know more about finances? Or maybe feel like you’re traveling by reading about faraway lands? Reading a great book can not only help you learn something new, but it can also reduce stress by 68%, according to a study by the University of Sussex. If the idea of cabin fever is stressing you out, getting lost in a book can be a great distraction. To save money, check out a book from your local library. Many libraries now have digital versions of books if you can’t go to a physical location.
2. Try out a new hobby or learn a new skill
Have you always wanted to learn an instrument, focus on your painting or knitting, or learn a new language? Extra downtime at home is a great time to focus on projects that get pushed to the side when your life gets busy. Starting a hobby or learning a new skill doesn’t have to be expensive either. There are plenty of free apps or videos online to learn instruments, languages, and more. Having a hobby is not only good for your health; it’s also good for your career. Studies have shown having a hobby can help you be more creative at work and avoid burnout.
3. Create a goal plan or vision board
When’s the last time you thought of what you really want out of life? For many Americans, we’re so busy living life that we don’t have much time to stop and think about our future goals. Having some downtime at home is a great time to review where you are in life and what you’d like to work on in the near future. Take some time to review your goals related to finances, career, personal relationships, and your hobbies. Once you have concrete goals, develop an action plan (and vision board, if that’s your thing!).
4. Workout
With extra time at home, you can focus on starting a workout routine or maintaining one. Get out in the fresh air for a run or turn on a workout video. Exercise is not only good for your body, but it’s also great for your mental health. Tip: Looking for an inexpensive way to workout? The popular Peloton app is currently running a free 90-day trial and has numerous bodyweight-only workout videos. If that’s not your thing, YouTube has tons of free workout videos that you can do with zero equipment.
5. Plan your next adventure
You know the happiness you get from anticipating an upcoming event or trip? You’re not alone! A Dutch study found that planning a trip can make you happier than actually taking one. Planning a trip is a great activity to do if you’re currently homebound. Plus, it’ll give you time to save some money for your trip! Research a destination, accommodations, and activities you will do there. If you are feeling really creative, create a board to hang up with pictures of the location to remind yourself of the fun times ahead. Even if it is a bucket trip that won’t happen for a while, the planning process can be a fun thing to experience now!
6. Organize & spring clean
You may not think of organizing and cleaning as fun activities, but if you put on some music (or a great podcast you found!), you may find that cleaning can actually be pretty therapeutic! Plus, a clean and clutter-free space can help you feel more relaxed in your home. Need some inspiration? Check out Marie Kondo’s spring cleaning tips. Tip: Set a timer for thirty minutes and see how much you can get done. You may end up wanting to continue once the time is up!
7. TV/Movie marathon
Have you missed out on the latest movie or want to see why everyone is talking about a certain series? Binge-watching a series or movies can be a great way to relax during your downtime. Whether you currently have streaming services or you just rent a movie from your library, you are sure to find something fun to watch with all the options. Tip: If you want to try out a streaming service, check for any free trials they may offer! It’s a great way to start your binge-watching and be sure that you aren’t wasting your money on a service you won’t like.
8. Game night
Gather some board games, a deck of cards for poker, or play charades. Playing games can be a fun activity to get the whole family involved or just a competitive game against your partner. Don’t have any game supplies around or not a fan of board games? Play “Would You Rather”, where you give two scenarios to see which scenario people would rather choose. Whatever you decide to play you are sure to create some fun memories.
9. Try a new recipe
Love to cook and think you’d be the next champion on a cooking show or dread it and consider it a chore? Trying a new recipe might just be different enough to be fun! Maybe you are craving a family recipe you never made or wish you had a meal from your favorite restaurant. Call up a family member for the recipe or search for a restaurant copycat recipe and try it! Cooking at home can not only save you calories and money, but it also can have numerous .
10. Take control of your finances
While budgeting can sometimes be a headache, making improvements to your financial situation can be a major relief and allow you to have more fun! Using your free time to research ways to better your financial situation can really pay off. If you have student debt, you may take this time to refinance your student loans* – by refinancing, you may be able to lower your interest rate, save on your monthly payment, or pay off your loans faster. You might also consider switching to a high-yield checking account that allows you to make more of your money. SouthEast Bank’s Bonus Rate Checking allows you to earn over 30x the national average on your checking with a yield of 2.01% APY. Or, you could simply make tweaks to your monthly budget.
Being at home, whether by choice or circumstances, can still allow you to have fun times – so take this list and see if any of these help! Who knows, you may end up discovering a new hobby or talent!
*Subject to credit approval. Terms and conditions apply.
1APY=Annual Percentage Yield. Rates subject to change. APYs are accurate as of 03/23/2020. Fees may reduce earnings. Some Fees and restrictions apply. 30x the national average for interest checking based on non-jumbo deposits and the weekly rate cap information for the week of March 16, 2020: https://www.fdic.gov/regulations/resources/rates/. To earn the bonus rate, each month the account must be enrolled in eStatements, post and clear at least 15 debit card transactions, and receive at least one direct deposit or ACH debit. If all qualifications are met during the statement cycle, a bonus rate of 2.01% APY on balances of up to$20,000 and .20% APY on balances over $20,000 will be credited. If bonus qualifications are not met during the statement cycle, a rate of .05% APY of the balance will be credited. Interest earnings are based on daily collected balances and are credited monthly to the account. Qualifying transactions include point of sale or online purchases using the SouthEast Bank debit card. ATM and cash-only transactions do not qualify towards minimum debit card transaction amount. Limit one Bonus Rate Checking account per primary owner tax ID.
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