50 Things to Do at Home While Social Distancing

With the recent lockdown and social distancing measures imposed throughout the country, citizens are left with a lot of free time with no tasks to keep them busy. Read on to know about simple changes in your life that can help you stay active and engaged while you’re at home.

The Coronavirus count in India has crossed the 21,000 mark recently. The Prime Minister of India has also interacted with Chief Ministers of Indian states about the implementation of the lockdown. After the one-day experiment of a nationwide self-quarantine on the 22nd of March this year, the PM declared a 21-day long lockdown across the country starting from the 24th of March 2020. About 1.3 billion people in India were requested to stay indoors and practice social distancing during this time. On the other hand, several private companies and schools had started the quarantine period from the second week of March, and many people had started working from home at around this time.

With the current unavailability of the Coronavirus vaccination and the constant rise in the death toll numbers, according to the health authorities, social distancing is a primary way to prevent the spread of COVID-19. However, social distancing can not only lead to boredom, but a study conducted on the quarantine period of the 2003 SARS outbreak in Beijing shows that long-time isolation might also result in a variety of psychological issues. So, what do we do now? At redBus, we asked some of our employees about how they are making the best of their time! Let’s take a look at 50 things to do at home while staying indoors during this lockdown.

1. You may or may not be a fitness freak. But the extra hours that would have been spent on traveling to work can now be utilized to focus on your health. So, call a dietitian, follow fitness instructors online or download a suitable diet chart and keep track of your eating habits.
2. Need some motivation? Listen to inspirational podcasts. There are plenty of ways to get your daily dose of motivation, with thousands of podcasts available online.
3. Experiment with your cooking skills! From a little twist in your parathas to adding new flavors to the cake, your experiments might make you the next Masterchef!
4. Do you miss the gym? There are plenty of online platforms and apps that will help you exercise regularly at home.
5. Start writing a journal. Pen down your experiences and experiments. It’s a great way to organize your thoughts, especially during this quarantine period.
6. Read classic Indian literature. Whether it’s Rabindranath Tagore or poems by Sarojini Naidu, you’ll develop a great connection with the depiction of what an old Indian household had in store.
7. No maids? “Work from home with home-work” can be tiring. Listen to music while performing household chores, and you’ll enjoy the time!
8. Take care of your houseplants. Those lovely little pots of life need your attention! Give them a nice treat during the quarantine period.
9. Bond with your pet. Pets are often the best form of therapy that one needs. You’ll feel happier, calmer, and more affectionate.
10. Thought about giving your room a makeover? Maybe you can make it even cozier while working from home.
11. Spark the fashionista in you. Check your wardrobe. Which clothes have you tried only a few times? It’s time to experiment with them a little!
12. From Pather Panchali to Do Bigha Zamin, watch all the award-winning Indian classic films.
13. Discover your spiritual side. Spend some time in a quiet spot at home and engage in some self-reflection
14. Apply a face mask, get a home pedicure, light a scented candle. We all need a little pampering, don’t we?
15. Meditate. To cope with the Coronavirus lockdown and social distancing practices, meditation can be something to turn to.
16. Breathe. Take a break from work and try breathing exercises. It may help you feel fresh during a monotonous day.
17. Check out old family pictures. See how you looked as a kid. Isn’t it enough to bring a smile on your face?
18. Forget about the tech-savvy world that you live in. Go old school and write an actual letter to your loved ones and mail them over once this lockdown has been lifted.
19. Scroll through your phone contacts. How many friends have you not yet called? It’s time to get connected with your old buddies.
20. Indulge in karaoke, record your voice, and share it with your friends. It’s fun!
21. Binge-watch Tom Hanks or DiCaprio movies. You’ll realize why they are regarded as acting legends who portrayed memorable roles about survival and things they did to keep them busy.
22. Collect old newspapers and make a collection of beautiful pictures which you can share with your friends later!
23. Feeling sad? Get a coloring book. Coloring is not just for kids.
24. Learn a new skill. Enroll for a course online, and you’ll have something new to add to your resume.
25. Interview your best buddies, turn it into an audio collection.
26. Relive moments of the past about the country and your neighborhood, about village life, and much more by listening to stories about your parents and grandparents. You’ll be surprised to see their enthusiasm!
27. Help your mom and grandma to make pickles, papads, and snacks. Learn the secrets of their delicacy.
28. Watch Malgudi Days, Vyomkesh Bakshi, Ramayana, or Circus. You may realize why millions of Indians loved them.
29. Read Diamond and Marvel comics. Add a slice of childhood fun to your life during this self-quarantine period to keep you busy.
30. Remember carrom, Ludo, and Snakes & Ladders? Blow the dust off those game boards to help you bond with your family, just like the good old days.
31. Relive your childhood. Watching Chhota Bheem, Shin Chan, Dexter’s Lab, Centurions, Spongebob, and Doraemon would let you relish the best moments of your life.
32. Learn Origami. Collect old newspapers and try your hand at the paper art.
33. Give the corners of your home a new look. How about putting up plants or some art pieces up on your wall?
34. Make a list of things you’re grateful for. A gratitude list can do wonders when you’re feeling low.
35. Perfect grandma’s Dosa recipe or anything made by her that you found magical!
36. Learn a new and interesting fact every day. A little time alone can actually make you smarter.
37. Work on your financial plans. Review your investments so that you have nothing to regret.
38. Make a quarantine-themed video featuring your daily chores and share it with your friends.
39. Start blogging online. There are several platforms to express your thoughts, stories, and photographs.
40. Make a list of places you would like to visit when it’s safe to venture out again. This can help you focus on a goal to look forward to once this pandemic ceases to exist.
41. Make yourself a refreshing drink. Try a new detox recipe or something that’s soothing!
42. Learn any form of dance online. Dancing is a great way to exercise and connect with yourself.
43. Repair old things. You may work on that little scratch on the table or fix that broken photo frame.
44. Try new tongue twisters. A perfect way to smile and give yourself a break!
45. Explore DIY projects. See how you can make something new out of the trash.
46. Get back to your history books and read India’s great historical events.
47. We all love cricket! It would be fun watching Sachin’s centuries and India’s first World Cup win in both the 50 and 20-over format of the game.
48. Open your school slam book and relive old memories that you shared with your buddies.
49. Binge watch the old advertisements of popular brands, and they will just make your day!
50. Finally, stick to a good routine. Wake up early and sleep on time. You’ll surely feel the difference.

We’ve rounded up some of the best things to do while at home during the present Coronavirus situation and practicing social distance. We hope you try any of these activities according to your mood, comfort, and hobby. redBus, one of the best portals for booking bus online, wishes you a healthy and engaging quarantine period while India fights to contain the spread of COVID-19 in the country.

If you have any unique things or activities that you do to keep yourself busy during this period, tell us all about it in the comment section below. We would love to hear from you.

Stay home, stay safe!