By: Casey Hopkins
Sitting at home, staring at the wall with nothing to do. You may have already cleaned every room spotless and completed every puzzle in sight. The days might be moving slow, with no end in sight. But, don’t worry, you’re not alone.
With the outbreak of COVID-19, the world has been put at a standstill. Country borders, amusement parks, restaurants, beaches, and popular tourist attractions have all been closed, as people social distance and stay home.
Although this situation may be different from your normal routine, it doesn't have to be boring. While you protect yourself and others by staying home, here are some ways fun ways to pass the time and enjoy staying in!
Get artistic with tie dye!
Tie dying has become quite the popular trend among people of all ages, thanks to TikTok and YouTube creators.
Here's how to do it:
Start by deciding what you want to tie dye. Hop on Amazon for cheap prices and quick shipping. You can also grab anything from your closet, just make sure it's white!
Next, purchase the dye. Stop by your local craft store, Walmart, Target or don't leave your home and add it to your amazon order. Also, consider Walmart's pickup today option. Most dye comes in handy tie dye kits including rubber bands and plastic gloves.
Once you have all your supplies, decide on your folding technique. You can create anything from spirals to polka dots and stripes or come up with your own idea. Add the rubber bands to hold it together and create color sections.
Finally, add your dye wherever you want. Don't hold back, let your creativity shine. There is no messing up when it comes to tie dye!
Whenever the artist inside you is happy with your creation, let it sit for at least 6 hours. Then rinse it through cold water to remove any excess die. Throw your tie dye creation in the wash to get the final product.
Stay fit with online workouts!
With gyms temporarily closed, it can be difficult to figure out ways to burn off some steam. Getting off your couch or up from your desk for a quick workout is a great way to boost your mood and incorporate some fun into your day.
Some of my favorite workouts are from Chloe Ting. With 9.91 million subscribers, Ting posts completely free home workouts to her YouTube channel. You don't even need weights, just find a comfortable spot in your home, preferably on a mat, and open her channel on your laptop, phone or even smart TV.
Each video shows her doing the workouts and includes a timer in the right hand corner, making it easy to follow along. The fast beat music she plays in the background creates a super enjoyable exercise environment. These workouts are perfect for beginners, since they aren't very difficult and mostly involve your own body weight.
She even includes great challenges! These are perfect to work towards a goal and keep yourself motivated during the quarantine.
Consider purchasing a Fitbit or Apple Watch to keep track of your workouts and daily activity. On an Apple Watch, you can even share your activity with other Apple Watch owners. You and your friends can compete in workouts and calories burned, while still social distancing. This is a fun way to stay connected with your friends while at home and also stay healthy.
Cook something new!
Many of us have spent tons of time scrolling through social media to kill some time at home. Have you ever come across a recipe you've never tried before? Seen an interesting dish that makes you curious? Why not make it now?
One of the most interesting recipes I came across was vegan bacon made from rice paper. I knew I had to try this one out. Here's how I made it:
First gather the ingredients. Feel free to substitute soy sauce for coconut aminos and any kind of oil for avocado oil.
In a dish, mix together:
2 tbsp of oil
3 tbsp of coconut aminos or soy sauce
3 tbsp nutritional yeast
half tsp of liquid smoke
half tsp of maple syrup
pinch of salt, pepper and paprika
Then double up the rice paper and cut into bacon-like strips. Dip the rice paper in water for no more than 10 seconds and then dip into the mixture.
Line the "bacon" on parchment paper and bake in the oven at 400 degrees for about 8-9 minutes or until crispy.
Surprisingly, this meatless rice paper alternative tastes super similar to bacon! Make it a sandwich with vegan mayonnaise, lettuce and tomato. And there you have it: a vegan BLT!
Check out these 101 easy meals to make when you're staying indoors!
Play some games with your quarantine crew!
Stuck at home with your family or roommates? Have a game night! But, not any old game night with board games, try games like Quiplash or Picolo!
Quiplash can be downloaded for about $5-10 on any streaming device, such as an Apple TV or Xbox. What makes this game unique is that the controllers are your phones. Play with up to 10 people and answer questions like "A double rainbow doesn’t have gold at the end of it. Instead, it has ______" or "A better name for France." The game can be as silly or inappropriate as the players make it!
Picolo is free on the app store on any smart mobile devices. Connect this to the TV using Airplay to make it even more interactive. It's a drinking game, but feel free to use non-alcoholic drinks! Add each player, pick a game mode and get drawn cards with dares, challenges, truths and more.
These games are great to put on the TV while your group hang out on the couch with drinks and snacks. Trust me, a few minutes in and you all won't be able to stop laughing!
Here are some more social multiplayer games for your quarantine crew to enjoy at home!
While you stay home during the pandemic, remember to get creative with your daily activities. There are endless ways to have a good time and embrace the unusual circumstances. Get artistic, workout, cook, play games or find other ways to have fun. Remember, this isn't forever, it's just right now.