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30 Creative Ways to Spend Your Free Time During COVID-19
As we continue to safely social distance during the COVID-19 pandemic, the NWACC Counseling & Wellness Center has compiled a list of creative ways to spend some of your newfound free time. Remember, the center is just an email away for any of your mental health needs - counseling@nwacc.edu.
30 Creative Ways to Spend Your Newfound Free Time:
- Write your best friend a postcard (people LOVE mail).
- Schedule a Skype or FaceTime session with your friends and family so you know when
you’ll next “see” them.
- Have a movie marathon. You could pick an interesting theme, like travel (Lost in Translation, Wild, Before Sunrise), art history (The Da Vinci Code, Goya’s Ghosts, Frida).
- Do crafts - string beads into a bracelet, try knitting or try painting by numbers.
- Give yourself a mani/pedi.
- Create a playlist with happy songs, and sing along!
- Browse your cookbooks or food blogs for an easy but healthy meal.
- Call a supportive friend or family member.
- Have a go at sudokus and crossword puzzles, watch TED talks or listen to captivating podcasts.
- Give your bedroom a mini makeover – especially if you spend much time in it! Hang
new pictures on the wall, change up your pillow covers or display pretty items on
a mirrored tray. Browse Pinterest for cute but doable DIY ideas.
- Reminisce by compiling a photo book of the special moments in your life.
- Turn a boring day in bed into a ‘slumber party for one’ - put on a movie, make some dark
chocolate and sea salt popcorn and lean into the downtime.
- Build your own fantasy football team and join an online competition.
- Learn to play a new song.
- Bake something sweet yet nourishing.
- Keep a journal. It can be a safe way to express your feelings as well as boost your
happiness by listing what you’re grateful for – despite your struggles – each day.
- Treat your body well - do some gentle stretching and nourish yourself with herbal teas or veggie juices.
- Watch an entire season of your favorite TV series - take advantage of the downtime.
- Create a physical mood board. Collect inspiring images, magazine clippings, motivational quotes or fabrics – anything that helps you visualize your dreams, decorating scheme or
signature look.
- Sink into the tub for a long luxurious bath, with bubbles of course!
- Play Solitaire, solo chess or a smart game.
- Go for a slow walk around the block. Maybe you can pick up a magazine or flowers to
boost your mood.
- Document your daily life with photographs. Even a dull day becomes fascinating when
you’re trying to spot the beauty in everyday moments.
- Find something that makes you laugh: a YouTube-video, hilarious joke or a comedy show.
- Buy a coloring book for adults and get your crayons ready for some soothing creativity.
- Grow a small herb garden in your window box.
- Plan a fun event for when you're not needing to social distance – a mini road trip,
a concert or a night out with friends. You could also buy a Future Listography Journal and make lists of all the cool things you hope to do one day.
- Disconnect from the world for a little while. Listen to relaxing music and just stare
out the window.
- Avoid alcohol and other drugs. Alcohol is a depressant and may have a negative affect
on your emotional state.
- Plan and cook a meal with friends through Skype or FaceTime.
Stay well, safe and healthy!
- NWACC Counseling and Wellness Center