9 Ways to Avoid Boredom at Home

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In light of everything going on in the world, I figured now would be the best time to give you 9 ways to avoid boredom at home during an extended time off work & school. It’s always helpful to be armed with information. Being holed up in your house doesn’t need to be boring and unproductive. You can still continue to be healthy and continue learning during your time avoiding contact with others.

Finally, introverts, like myself, can enjoy their days without being bombarded with conversations, event requests, parties, etc. However, now I’ve got the sole responsibility of keeping James’s extroversion tendencies busy.

Buckle up, hunker down, and lock your doors. It might be a rough road ahead, but your outlook on the situation can make a world of difference.

If one of your methods to avoid boredom involves the bedroom, be sure to check out our guide to natural birth control.

9 Ways to Avoid Boredom at Home

#1 Read

If you are reading this now, then you’re already doing this. 😉

Whether you are working from, taking sick leave, or forced to be off work, this is the perfect time to start that list of books or that backlog of all our amazing articles that you’ve been wanting to read.

If you have a public library card, this is the time to take advantage of your library by renting e-books through the Libby, by Overdrive app. You can find a vast number of books available to rent without even leaving your house.

Bear in mind though that some books may already be checked out, so just put the book on hold and wait for it to become available. In the meantime, you can go to the section of books that are immediately available and browse for a book.

Also, with an Amazon Prime membership, you get access to Prime Reading which has a bunch of free novels, magazines, and cookbooks. What the hell would we do without Amazon?

#2 Listen

One easy way to avoid boredom at home is to fill the silence by listening to audiobooks, podcasts, music, and more.

Now is the time to take advantage of free time to educate yourself and become more knowledgable. You can use the Libby app for free audiobooks without paying an arm and a leg on the other audiobook platforms.

Have a topic you want to know more information about? Look up the podcasts in that subject. There’s Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Soundcloud, YouTube, and many other options to gain priceless knowledge for free. A few of our favorite podcasts are:

• The FI Show
• Man Overseas
• ChooseFI
• Find Your Freedom Podcast
• Joe Rogan Podcast
• Tim Ferriss Podcast

If you need a break from all of the news, hysteria, and mayhem, listen to music. Music transforms our attitude and helps us relax in stressful situations. Put on some good tunes and have a dance party throughout your house.

#3 Exercise

We were a little upset when our gym announced last week they were closing for almost a month. However, we know it’s for the best because gyms can be a hotbed for viruses and bacteria if the equipment is not properly cleaned. You should see some of these sweaty assholes that don’t seem to understand how a spray bottle and a towel work.

However, this doesn’t mean that we are halting our physical activity. Quite the opposite, as this is our favorite way to avoid boredom at home.

Now, more than ever, we are focusing on our physical health. It is possible to exercise at home, even if there is no equipment. Do some jumping jacks, burpees, squats, push-ups, or situps. Even if it is a short 10-15 minute workout, it’s better than nothing at all.

If you need a little help with your workouts, James created an at-home workout program. This program will help you make the most of this quarantine at home by staying in shape and getting or keeping your health where it needs to be.

#4 Take a walk outside

If your city hasn’t quarantined you to stay inside, then the easiest way to avoid boredom at home is to not be at home. I suggest you take a walk outside. Fresh air and sunshine can make a world of difference in not only your physical health but also your mental health.

If you’re walking by yourself, take your podcasts or audiobooks with you and feed two birds with one scone.

James and I have been taking a daily walk before lunch. It’s an easy way to get out of the house and get fresh air without touching anything or anybody. We are making sure to distance ourselves from people and avoid any walkway that looks clogged with people.

Walking outside is also a great way to avoid being behind a screen. There’s so much fear and pandemonium on the news these days, that avoiding that for even a half-hour has to be good for your mental health. You may also realize that the world outside isn’t as scary as some would have you believe.

#5 Practice cooking skills

I am a huge fan of cooking. I love trying new recipes and experimenting in the kitchen. Because cooking brings me joy, it relaxes me and makes me happy.

Take this opportunity of being confined to your house to try out new recipes with some of the items you already have at home.

Yes, you can finally utilize that can of pumpkin that you picked up at the store two Thanksgiving’s ago. Experiment, maybe you’ll become the next Rachael Ray. Even if you don’t strike it big with a show on the Food Network, you can at least fill some time and have some fun all while avoiding boredom at home.

#6 Spend quality time with family members

But how do you spend quality time with people if you’re practicing social distancing?

This is 2020. The technology we have at our fingertips is amazing. Over 6,250 miles currently separate James and me from our family. Yet, we are still calling them every week and taking advantage of video calls.

We video chat with our siblings, niece, parents, grandparents, and friends. This gives us an opportunity to see how things are going with them and the area. It also gives them an opportunity to find out what’s going on in our lives.

Admittedly, it’s mostly our parents and grandparents worrying about our situation abroad while we are simultaneously trying to explain that we find their situation in the States much worse.

Even if you are distancing yourself from those around you, you can still be connected to your family and loved ones.

#7 Share your story

Do you have a voice and want to be heard? Now is the perfect opportunity to start a blog.

We have had our blog for over 3 years. We enjoy writing and putting helpful information out into the world.

Also, you could start a podcast or a YouTube channel. We don’t have either of these things despite some pleas from our amazing audience. But, both provide great platforms for people to get to know you. It’s important to be self-aware when making your decision.

Do you have a face for radio? Stick with a podcast. If your voice is shit, but you’re presentable, make a YouTube. Perhaps you’ve got neither of these going for you, like us, then go with a blog.

#8 Virtual field trip/museum

Who knew that by 2020, famous museums would be offering virtual tours for free?

You can travel across the globe without even putting on pants to visit museums and explore online exhibits. This is great because I hate putting on pants anyway. Who says you can’t feel cultured while getting loaded on some cheap wine while wearing yesterday’s sweatshirt?

Google has a cool platform to view these collections, letting you choose from hundreds of museums. Take your pick from Google Arts & Culture. This is also a great way to learn more about Historical Figures and other cultures around the world.

Have you ever wondered what happens after hours at a zoo? Many zoos are offering livestreams so you can see updates on the animals and watch your favorite critters bounce around.

#9 Explore jobs you can do remotely

Are you stuck at home without a remote job? Now is the perfect time to look into job opportunities that can be done remotely and from anywhere.

If you don’t have a diploma in a certain job field, use your free time to educate yourself and prepare for a potential career change. There are Ivy League schools that are offering free courses online.

If you can’t find what you are looking for on the free online courses, turn to YouTube to learn how to do a specific area of expertise.

Don’t let a diploma stand in the way of your dream job or a job that will pay you more, give you flexibility, and help you on your journey to financial independence.

In Conclusion

Our hearts are breaking for those who have been affected by the current situation. We are preparing ourselves by staying calm while keeping up to date with world news.

Freaking out over things that are out of control will do more harm than good. Hopefully, you can make the most of your time at home with these 9 ways to avoid boredom at home.

Exercise for physical health. Eat for immune health. Clear the mind for mental health.