Benefits of Spending Time Alone: 6 Fulfilling Activities You Can Do by Yourself
- Written by Lilly Miller
Quarantine sucks. Of course, it’s absolutely necessary right now, but that doesn’t minimize the fact that spending so much time shut inside is stressful. Especially if you live alone.
Since you can’t really spend much time with friends and family right now, it means you’re all on your own when it comes to finding something fun to do. Luckily, that’s not such a bad thing at all — spending time alone can be a very useful experience. Now’s the time to work on yourself, recharge your batteries, and emerge from this quarantine better and stronger.
Pick up an instrument
Many of us would like to learn how to play an instrument. However, it’s easier to come up with an excuse than to actually do something about it.
Start by making a leap and decide you’re going to go for it. Set some reasonable goals, and find a mentor online who can help you build your skills and learn with ease. Whether it’s a guitar, drums, trumpet, or a cello – it’s never too late to pick up an instrument. Other than being a great tool for self-expression, other benefits of playing an instrument include improved coordination, better memory, and creative thinking.
Learn to speak another language fluently
Is there a foreign language or an exotic country you are particularly drawn to? Why not take some time you’d spend on unproductive activities and use it to learn a new language instead?
Not only will this be beneficial for your mental health, but being able to speak another language will open up doors to new worlds and enable you to discover new cultures and places through the powerful tool that is language.
Explore safe outdoor activities
You don’t have to stay cooped up inside all the time. Going outside is still an option, as long as you practice social distancing and avoid public areas like parks (you really don’t want to sit on the bench that someone sneezed at, trust us). So, what kind of activities are truly safe at a time like this?
Anglers and hunters, rejoyce! Fishing and hunting have always been fairly solitary activities that remain safe even during the pandemic and they give us the opportunity to go outside and breathe in fresh air.
Firearm enthusiasts are also bound to appreciate the chance to actually use their equipment. Just make sure to carry the firearms in a protective gun safe if you’re going out into the wild. Also, make sure your hunting license is up to date.
Take up a new hobby
Time flies, friend. If there’s something you’ve always wanted to do, now’s your chance. Maybe you want to learn how to code, or maybe you want to learn how to dance, or maybe you’re born to be a cartoon artist, or a YouTuber. Cooking, leather working, sewing, woodwork, brewing beer, doing magic tricks, gardening, toy making, jewelry making, calligraphy - the world’s your oyster. Go wild.
If you’re worried that it might be difficult to start a new hobby while you’re cooped up inside, don’t be. The internet is full of resources, you just need to know how to find them. You can Google for a list of free resources that you can try while you’re stuck at quarantine. If you want to educate yourself about a topic, we suggest you take a look at Khan Academy, a nonprofit organization that offers all of their classes for free to their online students.
Get moving
Whether you’re aiming to achieve a certain fitness goal, shed a few pounds, or simply want to burn off excess energy and boost your endorphins, engaging in physical activities is a great way to do that.
Increasing your heart rate is a natural way to lift your mood while also doing something good for your body. An at-home HIIT workout will get you in shape in no time. Or maybe you could try yoga. Hell, why not go full in and make a whole ritual out of your workout? You can also consider creating a home yoga studio that you can fill with soothing decorations. Having your own little workout corner can help you stay consistent.
Just imagine how good you’ll look and how strong you’ll be by the time this quarantine craziness ends.
Final thoughts
When we’re alone, just ourselves and our thoughts, the world seems to stop. It is then when we’re able to refocus our energy and attention and do something that helps us deal more efficiently with stresses and anxieties of our daily lives.
Right now, solitude might seem like a very strict punishment during such a difficult time. But since it’s extremely important to practice social distancing, this could also be seen as an opportunity to learn how to enjoy some time on your own. As long as you fill your day with interesting and exciting activities, being alone will feel like a blessing rather than a curse.
