For those of you who spend the majority of the day at home – for instance for work (in 2016, 43% of Americans spent at least some time working from home) – it can end up being a monotonous experience, with little variety or new stimulus to break up the mundane. This is why it so important to introduce a new interest or endeavor into your daily life … and the sooner you begin, the better. Countless ways exist to beat a case of cabin fever, with different activities suited to different people; therefore, if the first ones you try do not work out for you, give something else a go, because the perfect pastime for you may be waiting just around the corner.
Home Fitness
Keeping fit and healthy is important for everyone, and as such should be treated with importance. Even every-day events increase health benefits if performed in a certain way, like drinking small volumes of water every 15-30 minutes. Although maintaining a balanced diet, including fruit and vegetables, tailored to your body type is one way in which this can be achieved, regular exercise is equally essential. Although 30 minutes of exercise per day is recommended, even just five minutes can make a big impact on both your physical and mental state. Morning workouts, in particular, are beneficial not only in the long term but in making you feel more prepared to face the day ahead with energy, vigor, and an accomplishment already tucked under your belt. The release of endorphins can also raise your spirits, as the chemicals interact with your brain’s receptors to reduce pain. There exists a range of equipment that you can use for fitness at home, including exercise balls, weights, jump ropes, treadmills, and rowing machines. On the other hand, if you do not wish to purchase anything yet still gain a worthwhile work out experience, there are a number of videos on sites such as YouTube, which provide guides on activities like yoga, an exercise which has the added benefit of calming the mind and body.
Learning New Skills
Thousands of new skills can be learned, each often requiring only a little practice each day that builds up over time. There really is something suited for everyone, whether it be hands-on, creative, brain-power heavy, or relaxing. The power of the internet means that information can be found regarding almost any topic, thereby making learning from home more simple than it has ever been before. Wish you could learn a new language? Sites such as Duolingo offer language courses for free and let you progress at your own pace. Want to add more flavor to something you feel is a chore? Learn to cook like a pro using recipe books and online guides – even watching shows like Masterchef can provide snippets of knowledge. It has been said by Tim Ferriss that it only takes four hours to master the cooking basics, leaving you plenty of time afterwards to hone your skills.
Developing or polishing a creative skill is also easier than you might think. Painting, crafting, sculpting, drawing, sewing, and photography are all able to be performed at home with only a few materials required. Photography, for instance, does not require a high-end camera; instead, using a camera phone can result in pieces just as glorious. Even being in the same setting day-to-day poses no problem, as there is much to be experimented with in terms of lighting, filters, angles, composition, and colors. Macro photography, in particular, can turn the most ordinary objects into intriguing pictures. And the process does not end with taking photos: 83% of digital camera photographers use computer editing or Photoshop. You can even share your work with others, be it artwork, writing or photography, via social media sites such as Pinterest, Facebook, Tumblr and Instagram. Blogs from Instagram that prove you can create gorgeous and impactful photographs from everyday surroundings range from Nature Aglow’s self-edited macro plant photography to Maumita Paul Ghosh’s food blog of homemade Indian dishes.
Start Gaming
Additionally, video games can provide an endless source of challenge and amusement while training to you to use your reflexes and team cooperation. The range of genres and styles mean that you can play for relaxation or excitement, dedicatedly or passively, alone or with groups. MOBAs such as Dota 2, which is played in teams of five, provide an opportunity for team tactics and leadership alongside personal player development. Similarly, casinos like Betway Casino offer live dealer versions of their online blackjack games, which enhance the immersive experience and allow for interaction despite being played from home. A gaming site such as Kongregate provides live chat rooms for the players in each game to figure out strategies together, while Chess With Friends and Shivam Goel’s Tic Tac Toe Friends allow you to connect with a friend to engage in a virtual board game battle. Ultimately, video games allow you to either have fun independently or with others.
As we have seen, it is important to vary your daily routine, for the sake of both your physical and mental health. If you find it hard to suddenly immerse yourself in a new activity or endeavour, start with something small that is not too time-consuming or that can be done every few days – this way, you will be able to gradually incorporate more of what you love, or could love, into your life, but at a pace that suits you and is not detrimental to your work or other commitments.