The world people live in right now is a very scary place. It almost feels as if things are turning upside down. People are in lockdown: stores empty, schools closed, borders closed – it’s frightening. People are antsy about having to stay at home. While sitting at home during this crisis, there are plenty of fun things you can do to make the world feel less scary!

Before anything else, search through the TV and see what fun movies there are to watch! Whether you watch them by yourself or with your family, try watching new things and see if you like any of them. If you do, keep watching! It might not be much, but it is certainly something to keep yourself occupied. There are so many streaming services out there and many are giving free trials!

Another suggestion is to try to teach yourself a new language. If you go on Duolingo, there are plenty of cool language options for you to try to learn! From French, to Portuguese, to Korean, the list of languages you can learn from home is astonishing. Learning a new language is a very good way to keep yourself occupied, while also keeping your mind active and helping yourself find a new hobby. Plus, something great to put on your college application!

Another suggestion is to find a nice book to read. Reading is extremely good for your mind, and this self-quarantine break is the perfect time to get invested in a new book! Although taking a trip to the library is not an option right now, take a look around your house, see if there are any books you find interesting. If you have an Amazon account, you can order a book delivered straight to your home. Or maybe a friend or neighbor can leave a book on your front step so you can share. Reading a book will not take up all your time, but it is a good way to keep your mind active!

I asked some people what suggestions they had for this time. One person said meditation. Meditation is a good way to keep yourself calm during this time of panic and crisis, and it is very good for the mind. It only takes a few minutes out of the day, but those few minutes could really pay off! There are many apps and YouTube videos about how to meditate.

Last but not least, try painting or drawing. It is a great way to let your creative side loose and keep yourself happy. Paint a canvas, a wall, your mirror, whatever you want! Express yourself in an artistic way today. It does not matter if you’re good at it or not, just let your imagination run wild!

While you try to do one or all of these things, make sure you stay safe and at home. Your health is the most important thing in a time like this. Take care of yourself!