More and more of us are staying home in an attempt to slow down the spreading coronavirus. But being stuck at home can lead to boredom. Your days into quarantine and the original excitement of lying in bed watching Netflix all day is dwindling. Your screen time is pushing 10, maybe 15, hours and you’re bored out of your mind. You can’t leave the house, so what do you do?

Try these 21 productive ways to avoid boredom during the COVID-19 chaos:

1. Clear out your wardrobe

Dedicate your new-found time and attention to sorting out your clothes, declutter your home, ditching items you haven’t worn for six months and co-ordinating clothes into sections so it’s easier to browse in the mornings. This is a great opportunity to get inspired by new outfits or rediscover an old favourite.

2. Read a book

It’s time to read that book that’s been sat on your shelf for the last few months. Get inspired by a best-selling memoir, indulge in a celeb-approved book or escape to a different world for a few hours. Hot drink and blanket desirable. If you don’t own a Kindle Paperwhite yet, you might wish to invest.

3. Start a podcast

Obsessed with podcasts? Are you and your family hilarious? Maybe it’s time you looked into making a business out of podcasting. You’ll need all the technical equipment, but first, swot up on how you’re going to make your millions from your dining room table.

4. Write a letter/email

Remember how enjoyable it was to receive a letter in the post? Do that with your friends and family – make their day. Buy some nice paper and spread some love to a friend or family member. Or simply write an email.

5. Do evening drinks (from home)

More and more of us are turning to virtual slumber parties on video apps like House party and Zoom so we can keep up with friends, have a laugh, a glass of wine or three, and make the best of the lockdown. Why not become the Quiz Master and organise the ultimate pub quiz.

6. Lego

Many celebrities have been killing time in coronavirus lockdown by building Lego sculptures with their kids, and who can blame them? Lego is perfect for keeping your mind busy and you get the ta-da at the end of it. Winning.

7. Watch Disney movies

How often do you get a chance to sit around and watch Disney movies all weekend? Disney+ launched at the beginning of lockdown which was perfect timing for parents around the world. Prepare to be obsessed if you haven’t downloaded it yet.

8. Do a crossword/Sudoku

Looking for something a bit more challenging? Put your brain to the test and do a crossword or Sudoku puzzle and see how far you can get. There are lots of online crosswords or word puzzles which means you don’t have to leave the house to have a go.

9. Do a jigsaw puzzle for adults

Take your eyes off a screen for an afternoon while you tackle a tricky 1000-piece jigsaw. Amazon has plenty to choose from, and stocks puzzles for all ages.

10. Plant some flowers

Introduce some welcome colour to your house or garden and plant some flowers. Now that the sun is shining, it’s the ideal time to get out in the garden and watch your flowers bloom.

11. Start a blog

Are you the modern-day techie? Or does your fashion taste rival that of Ralph Lauren or Manish Malhotra? Use your down-time wisely and start a blog to share your thoughts or favourite hobbies. WordPress is a favourite with most bloggers and it’s very simple to use.

12. Bake/cook

Indulge your sweet tooth and try a bake one of the masterpieces of your own at home. David Beckham loves baking and has taken to social media to show off a delicious lemon drizzle cake – we’re copying him immediately.

13. Learn how to knit

Pick up your needles and take the time to hone a new skill like knitting. Not just for grandmas, knitting is considered incredibly therapeutic and practical.

14. Camp out under the stars (in the house garden)

On a warm balmy night, how lovely would it be to camp out under the stars and pretend like you’re out in the wilderness. The best bit? If you need the loo, you can just venture inside.

15. Exercise

Replace your gym visit with an at-home work-out, with squats, burpees and press-ups all achievable without equipment. Transform your lounge into a yoga space and stretch it out.

16. Get your DIY on

Take the time to tackle some interior improvements – be that painting your walls, upholstering old furniture or rearranging a room. Remember health and safety at all times!

17. Let your creative juices flow

Embark on a creative arts and crafts challenge, from sketching and mindful colouring to pottery.

`18. Learn to play an instrument

Dedicate your new-found time to music and learn an instrument that you’ve always wanted to play.

19. Practice, practice, practice

How often do you have time to practice the things that you struggle with when it comes to your beauty routine?! Whether it’s doing the perfect eyeliner flick, contouring, or applying false lashes, now’s the time to become an expert.

20. Become a hairstyling pro

Curling your hair isn’t easy, and if you’re not a natural when it comes to hair styling, maybe now’s the time to hone your skills.

21. Dance/sing it out

Blast out some of your favourite tunes and get dancing in your bedroom, living room or bathroom. Time for some Karaoke!

Connect with others

Finding easy meaningful alternatives – bite-sized options that don’t take much effort, but that we find deeply rewarding – can be a challenge.

Luckily one good option is open to us all: connecting with others, whether virtually or for those lucky enough not to be quarantined alone – in-person.

Looking at old photos, or reminiscing with a friend, are simple meaningful actions most of us can take even when we’re not feeling our best. One does not need a reason to call up a friend – our best socializing is the kind that happens casually, in the unstructured time between scheduled activities.

Create room for that virtually as well: Next time you’re pouring a glass of wine or watering the plants, call up a friend while you do it. Make dinner together. We don’t have to be bored, when we’re all in this together.

Boredom itself is neither bad nor good, only our choices about how to counter it make it so.

There are no uninteresting things, only uninterested people.

– G.K. Chesterton