How to Spend Your Free Time in Isolation

With more free time on our hands, everyone needs something different to help us stay sane during this time. Whether you’re looking to structure your time and feel productive, find a new creative outlet or calm your mind, we’ve rounded up the best ways for you to spend your down time while social distancing!

Productive

1. Learn a new skill: Now is the perfect time to finally take up that skill that you’ve always wanted to learn but never had the time for. Websites like Skill Share, MasterClass and Brit + Co have tons of classes in every field imaginable: photography, cooking, writing and even marketing classes if you’re looking to build your brand. 

2. Clean your room/apartment: Since we’re spending 24 hours a day at home, it’s important to have a space where you can be productive and feel at peace. So tune up Marie Kondo and get organized! 

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3. Get active: It might be tempting to stay in bed all day just because we can, but it will leave you feeling sluggish and unproductive. Don’t use the fact that we’re trapped inside as an excuse to slack on your exercise routine. Whatever your workout of choice, you’re sure to find a virtual class online. Some popular fitness channels include Yoga with Adriene, Blogilates, Kayla Itsines' BBG Workout and PopSugar Fitness. 

4. Set goals for yourself: Since many of us have virtually endless free time, the endless ways we can spend it can sometimes feel overwhelming. To help focus your thoughts and maximize this time, make a list of big-picture goals for yourself and then break them down into manageable short-term goals that you work towards each month, week or even each day.

5. Help out those around you: We all need to practice a bit more compassion and generosity right now, and helping out the people around you is an easy way to bring a little bit of joy and light into these scary times. Even something as simple as offering to help your parents out with dinner or your siblings with their schoolwork can go a long way.

Creative

1. Cook/bake something new: Put all those episodes of MasterChef to good use and learn a new recipe! If you’re a novice in the kitchen, checkout one of the many culinary classes on Skill Share, MasterClass or Brit + Co to have an expert guide you through the recipe step-by-step. If you’re confident in your culinary chops (no pun intended), pull up a more advanced recipe on Pinterest or go the old-fashioned route and thumb through one of those cookbooks collecting dust on your shelf.

2. Watercolor/draw: Painting and drawing can be an incredibly cathartic way to pass the time at home. If you’re feeling anxious, whip out some watercolor paints or pencils and take your mind off your worries for a bit. There are even coloring books that are specifically designed for anxiety if you’re looking for something a bit more structured. 

3. Knit (or learn how to!): Knitting is a great creative outlet PLUS you end up with something beautiful and functional. If you don’t know how to knit, now is the perfect time to learn! Just think – you could knock out all of your Christmas gifts while in quarantine – you get a scarf, you get a scarf, you’re all getting a scarf!

4. Do a puzzle: Puzzles can be a great way to spend time with your family and totally immerse your mind in something creative. If you’re looking to take your mind of school work or general anxieties, a puzzle may be just what you need.

5. Create a new Pinterest board: I’m a firm believer that Pinterest is one of the most underrated social media platforms. Whether you’re into fashion, food or film, Pinterest is the perfect way to organize your ideas and create something unique and beautiful. 

Self-Care

1. Up your skin care game: Since we’re all holed up at home, now is the time to try out that new product or skin care trend that you’ve been eying without worrying about having to face the outside world if it goes terribly wrong. If you’re trying not to break the bank, get creative and DIY some at-home masks or scrubs with ingredients you have on-hand.

2. Take a luxurious bubble bath: Pull out those bath salts, turn on some relaxing music and treat yourself to a relaxing bubble bath. If you’re feeling especially tense, consider adding a few drops of some stress-relieving essential oils like lavender, rose or ylang ylang to your evening soak.

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3. Give yourself an at-home mani/pedi: Go all out just like they would at your favorite salon and give yourself a professional-grade mani/pedi. Use your favorite color, take your time and you just might find that you’re better at doing your nails than you thought!

4. Invest in some quality loungewear: Most of us aren’t getting dressed to the nines these days, so when we do put together an outfit, it’s usually made up of our favorite loungewear pieces – so invest in some you really love! Some favorite loungewear brands include Barefoot Dreams ($$$), Lou and Grey ($$) and Hanes ($).

6. Have a mental health check-in: If you have regular sessions with a therapist or mental health counselor, make it a priority to stay on top of those appointments. Contact your mental health professional about scheduling virtual meetings via HIPAA compliant platforms like VSee. If you don’t have regularly scheduled meetings with a counselor or therapist and are looking for mental health resources, consider joining a (free) online support group based on your specific needs. 

Relaxation

1. Read: Now if the perfect time to check off all those books on your must-read list! If you’re looking to escape the stress of reality, pick up a feel-good fiction book; and if you’re in need of some effective coping mechanisms to use during this stressful time, peruse the self-help or psychology genres. Looking to make reading social? Consider joining (or starting!) a virtual book club.

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2. Watch a new movie/tv show: If you’re looking for something a little more mindless than reading, start watching those movies and TV shows that you’ve been dying to check out but have never had the time for. A few current favorites are Tiger King (obvs), Little Fires Everywhere and Emma (an early-release movie).

3. Listen to a calming podcast: Try tuning up a calming podcast while you’re tidying up or going for a walk. There’s a podcast for every topic under the sun, but some popular ones to help center you and calm your mind are Hurry Slowly, The Daily Meditation Podcast and The Calmer You Podcast. 

4. Spend time in nature: It’s easy to stay cooped up inside all day, but taking even just five minutes to throw the ball for your dog or go for a quick walk around your neighborhood is a great way to boost your mood and stay active.

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5. Do yoga/meditate: Devote just 15 minutes a day to yoga or mindful meditation to help you achieve a more calm, centered demeanor in these stressful times. Since you can’t attend an in-person class, check out meditation apps like Headspace, Calm and Insight Timer, or peruse the thousands of at-home yoga practices on channels like Yoga with Adriene, MadFit and Yoga with Kassandra.