1. Skincare 

Whether you are a girl or a guy, taking care of your skin is crucial at this point, considering how easy it is to eat junk all day. Using a gentle face wash and moisturizer will do wonders if you consistently use them every day, to state the obvious. If you really want to kill time, try different face masks that work on your skin type. We want that skin to be glowing once we’re out of here. 

2. Workout 

Working out only works out if you do it every day. We are currently only months away from summer and Netflix will not help that summer body go anywhere. The first step is to get a simple routine going. Maybe the first day you start with a 20-minute leg workout, the next day do a 20-minute ab workout, and the next, a 20-min arm workout. Figure out what you are trying to work on and set aside a certain time of the day to do. Use platforms like youtube, apps, or even TikTok to guide you through the workout and give you the specific reps and sets. 

3. Start a new hobby 

Since we cannot be with our friends or do any of the activities we normally do outside of our homes, we have to start getting creative on how we spend our time and how we fight boredom. There are so many hobbies that are worth trying and that could help you get through this time and possibly spark your interest. There are the more artistic hobbies like painting, drawing or crafting, which does not necessarily mean you have to be an expert at them. Personally, I have started stickering things like a collage, and it doesn’t take much skill to put some stickers on a journal. Then there are hobbies like puzzles, which sharpen your mind a bit. You could try photography or videography or find new outfits in your closet. Whatever it is, tailor it to what you like to do and replace doing nothing.

4. Limit your phone usage

This is probably the hardest goal to reach when we are stuck in the house with hardly anything to do, but with that being said, it will truly benefit you. Spending less time on the phone means more time with family, more time to read or practice a hobby, more time to go outside and, most importantly, more time to really spend time with yourself. And I know that last part may seem odd or cliché, but it really does help in all aspects of life when you really know yourself. Listen, I know your screen time has skyrocketed because so has mine, which is to be expected, but try to take an hour or two out of your day with your phone in a drawer.

5. Take the time to go outside 

Yes, the world on the outside still exists, and even though the weather has not been on our side, it is still a great option to take a walk or sit on some furniture and observe nature. For some, it can be extremely calming and positive, while others find it annoying. However, it is worth a shot, since being cooped up at home is not always the best solution either. 

6. Make goals

Whether you have a journal, a whiteboard or simply the notes on your phone, it’s tremendously beneficial to start making goals for the near future or even years to come. According to Mark Murphy, a neuroscientist, “vividly describing your goals in written form is strongly associated with goal success, and people who very vividly describe or picture their goals are anywhere from 1.2 to 1.4 times more likely to successfully accomplish their goals than people who don’t.” Your goals are unique to you and could pertain to any number of areas: athletic goals, school goals, personal health goals, job goals, spiritual goals, you name it. 

7. Research your future 

If you are a junior like I am, it is time to start researching college choices and majors which is crucial to your future. Start looking them up and planning visits, write down the pros and cons to each place and research your scholarship opportunities. There are tons of things to be researched and planned, and what better time to do it than now with nothing else to do? If you are not planning for college, research what you want to become or what activities you want to be involved in next year. While this year seems to be a bust and that there may be nothing to look forward to, next year will be here before you know it, so start planning.