After months of staying home and social distancing, you’ve probably made it through most of the movies and shows on your favorite streaming service. So what now?
New movie releases have been put on hold this year, alongside new shows we may have been excited about watching. And after watching everything else that’s interested you on TV, what do you do next? Here are a few tips to mix up your free time with new, non-screen-related activities:
Books: Books provide hours of entertainment and world building right inside your own home and mind. Plus, some of the most popular TV shows and movies were based off of books (i.e Game of Thrones, The Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Big Little Lies, etc). So when you have nothing else to watch, try scanning through the millions of books you have access to right on your device! Worried about the cost? Many local libraries offer apps so you can check out and read books on your tablet without ever leaving your home.
Cooking: Try out a new recipe! There are so many fun food blogs online to explore. And around the holidays, it can be especially exciting to try making some new dishes. You might even consider trying a different cultural delicacy or national dish. Try going vegan for a week, or doing a paleo challenge! There are fun and delicious ways to try new things. Click here to find free, healthy recipes from El Camino Health.
Exercise: There are so many fitness challenges out there, that it’s easy to find one that works for you — so pick a fun or challenging fitness challenge for yourself! Always dreamed of doing a handstand? Ready to improve your mile time? Try a month-long yoga challenge, or an interval running challenge. There’s truly something for everyone.
Self-care day: Dedicate a day or evening to relaxing. This could include meditation, listening to calming music, at-home beauty treatments like a manicure or facial, or replacing old linens with new beddings, etc. — it doesn’t have to be elaborate. Have a favorite dessert? Order it or make it for your self-care day! Taking time to breathe, relax and reset is so important.
Volunteering: Find safe ways to give back to your community. Giving back to others always seems to make the giver feel good too. This can be as simple as volunteering at the local food bank or dropping off items at a local Goodwill or Salvation Army. Looking for other ways to get involved in the community? Read our recent article for more ideas.
Puzzles: Puzzles are a great way to keep your mind entertained. It may sound boring, but throw on some music and challenge yourself to complete a puzzle within a certain time frame! You might be surprised at how fun it can be for the entire family. You can even order the same puzzle as friends or family members in other homes and have a friendly competition!
Perhaps you’ve finished watching everything on your favorite streaming service, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to do! Try some of the suggestions above and seek ways to invigorate your mind this December and into the new year.
This article first appeared in the December 2020 edition of the HealthPerks newsletter.
