Ways to Productively Spend Your Time at Home

For many people, navigating the COVID-19 crisis successfully means being stuck at home as they
wait out in quarantine. Sitting at home without much to do can quickly get old. If you’re waiting out the crisis at home, be proactive about spending your time productively. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Call an old friend.
Socializing in person may be out, but the old-fashioned phone still works just fine. A leisurely chat with an old friend can be a wonderful way to pass the time. You can also set up a video conference to talk face-to-face and reconnect.

Get fit.
There are lots of exercises you can do at home without any equipment like lunges, squats, sit-ups and more. You can also turn on one of the many fitness classes on YouTube for a similar experience.

Rekindle an old hobby.
It’s time to dust off that guitar or pull out the modeling wood and pick up the hobbies you never have time for during your busy working schedule.

Learn a new language.
Why not use the extra time at home to learn a second language? There are many free language apps, like Duolingo, that make mastering a new language almost effortless.

Tend to neglected household repairs.
Why not use this time to get stuff done around the house? If you’re missing some important tools and supplies, it’s best to order them online instead of running out to pick them up to minimize possible exposure to the virus.

Declutter.
Carve out some time to get started on spring-cleaning your home. Clearing out clutter takes lots of time, and you likely have more time than you know what to do with right now. There’s no better time to freshen up the house than springtime!

Review your budget.
Use the spare time you now have to review your monthly spending of the past few months and see if your budget needs tweaking.

File your taxes.
The government has postponed the deadline for filing and paying taxes this year, making July 15, 2020 the new deadline. Michigan has also extended their state tax returns to the same date. Don't let this task become out-of-sight out-of-mind! Taking care of this necessary chore will make the future you glad that you did when this is all over.

Keep stress levels down.
Keep calm during this stressful time by ensuring you’re getting enough sleep and minimizing anxiety triggers as much as possible. This can mean limiting the amount of times you check the news each day, and/or practicing yoga and meditation. Apps like Headspace can help you achieve complete mindfulness to further reduce stress levels.

Wishing you continued health and safety as we navigate this challenging time together.

Your Turn: How are you keeping busy during your time at home? Share your best ideas with us in the comments.