• Read

This is definitely a great way to fuel your mind while also getting relaxed for bed. I would recommend reading Life of Pi or any book that you have been wanting to pick up, but never had the time or the chance.

• Exercise

Exercising can help so many things in your life! It can help you to sleep better, stay in shape, as well as release endorphins that literally make you feel good. I would recommend doing a youtube workout or going on a run outside.

• Paint

This is a great way to calm down and relieve stress while also working on something you care about. The materials are all sold on Amazon and if art is something you love to do or want to try out, now is a great time to do so.

• Look up a DIY art project

On either YouTube, Tik tok, or Pinterest there are a variety of quick art projects that you can do with the supplies or clothes you have handy. It’s a great way to make something out of nothing as well as pass the time in a fun way.

• Take a nap

During the middle of the day, your body sometimes needs to fuel up. We are constantly doing work as well as not getting a sufficient amount of sleep, so this is a great way to restore your energy. It is well advised to take a nap between 2:00pm and 3:00pm in 20 minute increments.

• Cook/Bake

Cooking and baking are both great ways to pass the time in a both fun and creative way. You can do it with your siblings and it is a very therapeutic method to also produce something delicious!

• Go on a walk

This is a great way to listen to your favorite music while also spending quality time outside and even getting exercise. It is important to get air and to unplug after a long school day in front of your computer and this is a way to do so.

• Listen to music

Listening to music can improve your mood and improve any activity you are doing. It is a great way to tune out of the world and just do what you love. There are many playlists on both Spotify and apple music that are exactly what you are looking for and your taste, all you need to do is search!

• Bullet journal/ journal in general

Bullet journaling is a great way to get creative and organized during these messy times. If you look up a tutorial on youtube or pinterest, you can master your skills during this time. Journaling in general helps you to track your feelings and thoughts and is a very calming activity to do in these stressful times.

• Clean your room

Although there seems like no correlation, a clean room and closet can help your mind clear up as well as improve your mood. You can also get rid of different things or clothes in your room that you don’t use anymore to declutter for the rest of the school year.

• Redo the setup of your room

If you have been wanting to redo your room for a while or just the arrangement of your furniture, now is a time to do so! Whether it’s just moving your desk to the other side of your room or even a full remodeling, you can do whatever you want.

• Write a story

If you love to write, or don’t know whether you do or not, now’s a great time to try it out. It is a creative way of either expressing your feelings or coming up with an alternate life for yourself. You can allow yourself to be really inventive during this process and you might make something amazing.

• Self care (face mask, makeup,etc)

Although this is a time to focus on the state of the world, it can also be a time to focus on yourself! There are many ways to do so. You can do a face mask, journal, do a mindfulness exercise, step outside, or even just sleep.

• Play Games

This is great way to get some quality family time while also getting competitive. Some games I recommend are: Boggle, Monopoly, any card game, backgammon, chess, Clue, and if you have the time, Settlers of Catan.

• Unplug from electronics

Sometimes social media or just your phone in general can get overwhelming and so it can be helpful to step back for even just a few hours and go outside or read a book. This can help you reduce stress, as well as reconnect with the people around you.

• Facetime a friend

This may be a time where we should all physically social distance, but not virtually social distance. It is important to continually take care of your relationships while we are all away. Facetiming is a great option for catching up with your friends!

• Learn a new skill

If there was ever something you always wanted to pick up, but never had the time to do so, now is a great time. Try a new instrument, a gymnastic trick, or even how to speed read.

• Meditate

Meditation can improve your outlook and clear your thoughts either in the morning or at night. Meditating on a regular basis can help you reduce your anxiety or stress about our current situations

• Do yoga

Yoga is a great way to get both a peaceful body and mind in these chaotic days.It is a form of calming exercise that can allow you to also undergo spiritual growth.

Throughout this time it may be hard on yourself mentally, but just know that you should not feel pressured to reach your goals or even feel as productive as you usually do. This is a global pandemic and now can just be a time to “be” and not necessarily “do.”