Most countries around the world have implemented some form of lockdown to contain the spread of the coronavirus. Lockdown is the now the new normal. While some places are already beginning to ease restrictions, some are still extended while others are shut down again because of fear for a second wave. If you are one of those people who still do not have the liberty to go out of the house, here are some fun activities that you can do to keep your boredom at bay when you are stuck at home:
1.Binge-watch a TV Series
In normal times, binge-watching is bad because it is unhealthy and unproductive but during these extra-ordinary times, it can be good especially if you are watching shows that you can learn from or increase your emotional intelligence. You can also make it a family activity by watching a marathon of movies that you can enjoy with the kids.
2.Learn a New Language
Learning a new language does not only give you a competitive edge in your career, it is also beneficial to your mental health. It boosts brain power. It improves your memory. Learning a new language also sharpens your mind. It can also help boosts your confidence. In addition, it can help you understand movies or dramas without reading subtitles especially if you are a fan of foreign shows like Korean dramas.
3.Plan Your Next Vacation
In a study that was published in the journal Applied Research in Quality of Life, it shows that a great proportion of people’s happiness comes from planning the next vacation. It is largely due to the anticipation of relaxing, going on a holiday and travelling to a different place.
So, what are you waiting for? List down your travel goals and start planning for your next vacation!
4.Play Board Games with your Family
While no one can argue with the benefits of technology, sometimes good old fashioned board games is a welcome change. Instead of individual family members holding their different gadgets, why not bond together as a family and enjoy quality time playing with your parents, children or siblings. For sure, it will be fun. It also encourages open communication among family members. You can play board games like Monopoly, Scrabble, Clue, Life, Pictionary, Battleship and Cranium.
5.Read Books
Reading books is good for you. It improves your brain function. Through reading, you will be able to increase your knowledge. and broaden your vocabulary. It makes you smarter, improves your memory and enhances your level of concentration. In addition, reading also reduces stress. It also keeps you entertained. The advantages are simply too many.
The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.
Dr. Seuss
6.Redecorate your Home
The way your home looks have a great effect on your mood. A home that is clean, well-organized and has the right atmosphere can help get rid of anxiety and stress. You can start by decluttering and disposing things that you no longer need.
7.Sleep
In this modern world, a lot of people in the urban areas are caught with the hustle and bustle of city life that most are not getting the required hours of sleep that the body needs. Take this rare opportunity to get enough sleep. Remember that sleep is a vital factor in boosting your immune system. Your immune system is your best defence against diseases.
8.Start a Group Video Conference Call with your Friends
Social distancing does not necessarily mean breaking up friendships. While it may take a long time before you can party and go out with friends again, you can still connect with everyone through video chats. There are many free platforms that you can use like Facetime, Google Hang-out, Facebook Messenger, Skype, Viber, WhatsUp, Zoom and many others.
9.Start a New Hobby
Is there something that you really wanted to do when you were still a kid? Something that you have been putting off simply because you neither have the time nor money to do so. Now is the time to start doing that. There are many indoor hobbies that you can do. You can knit, weave, sew, paint, quilt, cross stitch, origami, make jewelries, write poetry, make a scrapbook, garden etc.
A hobby helps you relax. It allows you to take a break from all the stress and just simply enjoy the moment. It is good for your mental and emotional health.
10. Visualize your Future
Success starts with a vision. When you visualize, you imagine things. You see yourself in the future in vivid details living the life that you want to live. The more specific your imagination will take you, the better it is. By doing so, you are already increasing the likelihood of success.
Visualization is fun. It gives you something to look forward to. It also helps you rise above the storm and challenges in life because it helps focus your energy on the desired outcome rather than the problem. It is all about looking into the future rather than being depressed about the present.
If there is anything that you wish to add, please feel free to do so. Your inputs will help a lot of people go through these hard times.
Feature Image by Posted by A.L. Jonas in Intellectual, 0 comments
Having a daily routine is a good way to organize your activities. However, when you’ve grown tired of your daily routine, or when your activities are cancelled and you suddenly have nothing to do, boredom can strike. Taking a nap is one quick way to combat boredom but unless you truly need it, it isn’t the best way. You can play games of binge-watch TV shows but they are not that productive. We’re sure some ideas have already popped into your head but why not try some more uncommon ways to spend your free time? Try out these smart ways to combat boredom: Start redesigning your future life with a list. Sit down with some pen and paper and ask yourself these questions: “What do you want to become in the future? What areas of your life do you want to improve and how?” Write down a bucket list of all the things you want to improve in the different areas of your life. Once you have a bucket list of how you want your future life to be, get some old magazines, scissors, glue and cardboard. Sit down for a bit and write down a paragraph to summarize what your redesigned life is like. Take note of the important keywords and find the images that relate to those words in the magazines. Cut them out and arrange them accordingly on your cardboard. Your vision board should remind you of your future goals everyday so make sure to hang it where you will always see it. If you’ve been itching to tackle your financial situation, now is the time to do so. Focus on what your short term, medium term and long-term financial goals are and assess where you are now. From here, you can determine what you need to do to move towards your goals. Make sure that you are making S.M.A.R.T. goals so you can measure your progress. So you might have your financial goals set but how about your daily, weekly, monthly spending? How do you allocate your money each time you get your paycheck? The answer to that is having a budget and while no one budget system is perfect for everyone, you can start with the Money Jar Budgeting System and tweak it according to your needs. A healthy body keeps you going so you can pursue your goals further. So what you eat is an important part of your success. If you’re going on a diet and even if you are not, planning your meals not only keeps you healthy but also keeps your budget on track. There are ways to get the most out of your meals while saving money on groceries. If you keep these in mind, your body and your wallet will surely thank you. Plus, you can ensure that you and your family get to enjoy all your favorite dishes too. A messy closet can be a daily scene that seems normal when you are always in a rush to get out the door each morning. Now that you have the time, why not be productive and spend it organizing your wardrobe? You might find hidden gems that you can wear on your next party or items that you don’t want to keep but your friend would love to have. Make sure to check if you have the basic items and make a note of what you need to complete them. If you have a lot of items to let go of, then you can sell them for some extra cash. Do you need to say sorry to a friend or family member but haven’t done so for whatever reason? Now is the time to compose your thoughts and learn to properly say you’re sorry. The important thing is to be sincere about it. It would be good to write down your thoughts first and practice saying your apology. When you think you’re ready, contact your friend or family member and ask them to listen to you as you state your apology. Hopefully, your sincerity should win them over and you can sleep with a lighter heart. Got a hobby or childhood talent you’ve never had time to practice? Now that you’ve got the time, pick up that guitar, paint brush and canvas, or that manual and start training yourself again. Or you can learn a new skill. All the greats started where you are now and you may not be aiming to be a professional in that field but improving yourself in something you love to do can boost your confidence and help you perform better in other areas of your life. Being grateful is life-changing so why not start being grateful right now? All you need is your favorite notebook and pen, or your mobile phone will also do. Review your day, week, month, and write down the things that you are thankful about. Don’t discriminate between the small things and the big things, they are all equally worthy of being grateful for. You can do this every day before you sleep so you can rest with good vibes around you. This is especially fun to do with the whole family. Since you’re stuck at home, why not indulge in a themed staycation? It doesn’t cost much and it can be fun. It can be a game night, a musical where you are all actors and singers, movie night with kids movies, starting a garden, a home decluttering theme, or even making a game of finding things that you can get rid of in your home. While some things may sound like a chore, if a delicious home-cooked meal is a reward, it should bring a sense of fun into the activity. These are just some of the things that you can do while you’re stuck at home, alone or with your family. What other things do you do to help ease boredom at home? We’d love to hear your suggestions. Original Photo by Roman Kraft on Unsplash. Here are 10 movies you can watch at home with the kids to starve off boredom and increase your quality time together. These are listed from oldest to newest. Just select one that you think the kids will like, or let the kids decide. Some of these movies are quite old but they should be easily accessible via online sources. Rated G Rated G Rated G Rated PG Rated PG Rated PG You may also want to check out the more modern version with Dwayne Johnson which has a different set of characters but still promises the same humor, fun and adventure. Rated PG Rated PG You may want to watch all 3 movies of the franchise just to get more of the 2 main characters’ cute and funny interactions and to learn more about the world of dragons and world beyond Hiccup’s Viking clan. Rated PG Rated PG There are many more popular movies that are not mentioned here such as the Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, Toy Story and Frozen movies because these would obviously be on your movie list. Try out the movies listed above to experience and reminisce the charm of these oldies but goodies and stave off boredom and anxiety while spending quality, family time. Be sure to have snacks around to complete the full movie experience. Having a movie date with the whole family is a good way to spend time with kids while staying at home. You will learn more about your kid’s personalities and also help them expand their insights and learn important life lessons. You may be reminded of these life lessons yourself. Original image from The Telegraph.
Smart Ways To Combat Boredom
1. Redesign Your Life
2. Create a Vision Board
3. Set Your Financial Goals
4. Create Your Budget
5. Plan Your Meals
6. Organize Your Clothes
7. Compose An Apology
8. Hone A Skill
9. Start a Gratitude Journal
10. Go On a Themed Staycation
10 Movies to Watch At Home With the Kids
The Wizard of Oz (1939)
If you want to go far, far away, let an imaginary tornado take you away. Dorothy dreams of a more exciting life somewhere over the rainbow. She gets her wish when a tornado takes her and her little dog Toto. They were taken from their farm in Kansas to a wonderland. There, she begins her magical adventures with new friends to find the Wizard of Oz.The Sound of Music (1965)
So many songs in this movie will stay with you long after the movie ends. This movie explores many themes such as family dynamics, different parenting methods, love in time of war and the love of music that binds the whole family together. The sceneries are also beautiful everyone sings quite well in this movie so feel free to sing along.The Muppet Movie (1979)
Kermit the Frog and company are beloved characters by folks aged 5 to 95. In this movie, they not only entertain with musical numbers while avoiding danger, they even have a moment where they check the movie script for what happens next. If you want to teach your kids how to sing “The Rainbow Connection”, this is a good movie to watch together.E.T. The Extra Terrestrial (1982)
This simple movie of a boy befriending an alien who needs to go back home has its teary moments but it does drive home a poignant lesson about friendship and understanding. The story telling is also quite magical and the scene of E.T. and Elliott biking past the moon is something to inspire everyone’s sense of awe.Home Alone (1990)
It may not be Christmas yet but everyone can use a feel-good adventure movie. Kevin McCallister shows you how to be a hero, even as he was left alone at home while his family is vacationing in Florida. He reunites with his family but not before he gives a couple of thieves a wacky lesson in mayhem.Jumanji (1995)
Robin Williams always makes kid-friendly movies not only an enjoyable ride but also drives home important life lessons. This movie starts out with 2 siblings who discover an old game where the boy Alan (Williams) was sucked into 26 years ago. He guides the kids through the game as they overcome obstacles together in order to go back home.Up (2009)
This movie has its teary-eyed moments but still manages to take the viewer on a cute and fun journey. When salesman Carl Fredricksen’s wife dies, he decides to tie balloons to his house and lift off to South America – a destination that he and his adventure-loving wife had always wanted to go. On the way, he realizes that he has an enthusiastic Boy Scout traveling with him. They also meet interesting characters and exciting adventures along the way.How to Train Your Dragon (2010)
Dragons can be both magical and terrifying. In this movie, we get some doses of both but a lot of fun and cuteness as well. The friendship of Hiccup and Toothless is a fun watch but the family dynamics among members of the Viking clan also provides a rich source of important relationship lessons. That’s not the only thing that makes this movie fun however, and you and the kids will surely enjoy the whole ride.Despicable Me (2010)
If you and your kids love the Minions, then it’s time to rewatch this movie and the next ones too. Supervillain Gru and his hordes of Minions change their villainous goals when they adopt 3 orphans who melt Gru’s cold heart and turns him to work for good instead.Coco (2017)
Some family traditions need to be kept and some need to be let go if they are for the wrong reasons. Here, Miguel’s family doesn’t allow him to listen to music or play his guitar so he must learn in secret. He gets the opportunity to meet his ancestors and uncover the real reason why his family discourages him from appreciating music. Pursuing one’s dream, honoring traditions and forgiveness are real life lessons that are magically tackled in this movie.