How to Distract Yourself When Stuck at Home?

Stuck at home with nothing to do? When you have time off from work, school, or other activities, you might find yourself at home with little to do. Many people find this boring, especially if they can’t go outside due to the weather or other factors. 

You want to make sure that you aren’t just sitting around wasting your valuable time when you could be doing something useful instead. 

Here are some ways to distract yourself when stuck at home and bored out of your mind.

1) Start a project

One way to distract yourself is by starting a project. You can do many things for projects, such as painting, planting a garden, cooking something new, or starting a blog. 

Projects will take your mind off of the day-to-day and make you feel accomplished when they are done. It might not seem like it now but finishing a project is an excellent distraction.

2) Do some cleaning

Cleaning your house is not only a good way to clear your head and make you feel better about the area you live in. Plus, many people like that their clean space smells fresh and feels more relaxing after finishing the cleaning spree.

It would help if you started by tackling the areas of your home where you spend most of your time: the living room, kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom. Make sure to pay special attention to surfaces or dirty clothes that need immediate attention, and create a to-do list for any other spots you didn’t get to this time. 

Try doing one thing at a time, so you can handle everything that needs cleaning up.

3) Learn something new (e.g., learn how to code, read Spanish, etc.)

One of the best ways to keep your mind active and engaged is by learning something new. There are plenty of free resources online that will help you learn a new skill or even explore a subject that interests you. 

MIT offers an open courseware site with lectures on most subjects. Coursera has over 1,000 classes from 140 partners, including top universities like Stanford. Khan Academy has more than 3,000 videos on math, science, and economics topics. If you want to learn how to code, there’s CodeAcademy and Udacity. 

No matter your interest, there’s always some new knowledge out there waiting for you.

4) Listen to music

Music is a great way to distract yourself when you are stuck inside. Turn on your favorite album and let the music take you away. There are plenty of ways to listen to music, and you can easily access them. 

Check out Pandora or Spotify if you need some help finding new tunes, and don’t forget about the oldies but goodies.

5) Catch up on social media

Whether you use it for entertainment or want to stay in touch with friends, social media can be a great way to kill some time. 

Check out your feed on Facebook or Twitter and see what’s happening worldwide. Snapchat is also worth checking out if you want a more intimate look at people’s lives.

6) Craft something

One way to distract yourself when you are stuck at home is to craft something. Whether it’s sewing, knitting, or painting, crafting is a relaxing activity that will help clear your mind. 

More so, if you make something for someone and they like it, it’ll be a big win. If you need ideas, search online for patterns of things you want to make.

7) Get creative with cooking

Cooking is a great way to feel accomplished and productive, even when you’re stuck inside. That doesn’t mean you have to be Dabiz Muñoz or Dominique Crenn; just a little creativity can go a long way. 

Here are some recipes for things you can search for to make from scratch in the kitchen! The Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookies, The Best Mashed Potatoes, How To Make Ricotta Cheese From Scratch, and Avocado Toast with Smoked Salmon & Pecans.

You could also cook up a recipe of something you’ve never made before. Remember that cooking doesn’t always involve ingredients like flour, eggs, sugar, etc.; it’s fun to create healthy dishes too.

The process of cooking takes time and concentration, so you won’t be able to think about anything else for the duration. It will also make your home smell amazing.

8) Read a book

Reading a book is an excellent way to take your mind off the present. It helps you escape your reality and get lost in another world for a little while. Reading a book will also allow you to learn something new, which can be super helpful when feeling bored and restless. 

One of the best things about reading is that it’s free and accessible for anyone with access to a library or bookstore. You don’t need a lot of equipment to read either; all you need is some time (and maybe a snack). 

Whether you prefer physical or digital media, there are plenty of ways to enjoy a good read. But, of course, the most popular form of reading is e-books. They’re cheaper than physical copies and allow readers more freedom in their reading experience.

There are so many books out there that you’ll never run out of options. One of the most popular genres for homesick people is fiction. Fiction usually tells imaginative stories about characters that people can relate to or have different experiences than them, making it easy for readers to imagine themselves in their shoes. 

The best part about fiction books is they are always surprising, so they will never bore you. 

9) Hang out with friends (or pets)

Hanging out with a friend is one of the best ways to get your mind off things. It’s also an opportunity to learn more about them as a person. However, before inviting anyone new to your house, look them up on Nuwber as a safety precaution.

And if you don’t have any friends nearby, there are always animals! Studies show that petting a cat or dog can lower blood pressure and reduce stress levels. 

It’s just nice to be near another living creature when you need some company. So next time you’re feeling down and lonely, visit a four-legged friend who needs love too.

10) Watch TV/Movies (or movies on your computer if you don’t have cable)

Watching TV or movies is a great way to distract yourself. There are many different genres and settings, so you’ll find something interesting. 

If you don’t have cable, stream your favorite show on your computer with sites like Netflix. 

There are so many options for streaming services these days that there is no excuse for not being able to watch your favorite TV show or movie anytime you want.

It’s a Wrap!

There are many ways you can entertain yourself when you are stuck in your home. The possibilities are endless, from catching up on your favorite television show to reading a book or hanging out with friends. 

So, if you can’t shake off the desire to be out of the house, you can use these 10 clever distractions to get your mind off things for at least an hour or two.