𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐜𝐤 𝐚𝐭 𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞? 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐲!

COVID-19 has wreaked havoc on normal life around the world. For many people, navigating this crisis successfully means being stuck at home for 14 days or more. If you’re one of the millions of Americans waiting out the crisis at home, be proactive about spending your time productively.

Here are some ideas to get you started:

𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧 𝐚 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐚𝐠𝐞. Why not use the extra time at home to learn a second language? There are many free language apps, like Duolingo, that make mastering a new language almost effortless.

𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐚𝐧 𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝. Socializing in person may be out, but the old-fashioned phone still works just fine. A leisurely chat with an old friend can be a wonderful way to pass the time.

𝐆𝐞𝐭 𝐟𝐢𝐭. There are lots of exercises you can do at home without any equipment like lunges, squats, sit-ups and more. You can also turn on one of the many fitness classes on YouTube for a similar experience.

𝐑𝐞𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐥𝐞 𝐚𝐧 𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐡𝐨𝐛𝐛𝐲. It’s time to dust off that guitar or pull out the modeling wood and pick up the hobbies you never have time for during your busy working schedule.

𝐓𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐧𝐞𝐠𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐬. Why not use this time to get stuff done around the house? If you’re missing some important tools and supplies, it’s best to order them online instead of running out to pick them up to minimize possible exposure to the virus.

𝐁𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐡 𝐮𝐩 𝐨𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐥𝐞𝐝𝐠𝐞. Visit blogs like Thefinancialdiet.com, MoneyNing.com or Mr.MoneyMustache.com, for interesting reads on a wide range of money topics that can help you broaden your financial knowledge.

𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫. Carve out some time to get started on spring-cleaning your home. Clearing out clutter takes lots of time, and you likely have more time than you know what to do with right now. There’s no better time to freshen up the house than springtime!

𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐮𝐝𝐠𝐞𝐭. Use the spare time you now have to review your monthly spending of the past few months and see if your budget needs tweaking.

𝐅𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐭𝐚𝐱𝐞𝐬. The government has postponed the deadline for paying tax bills, but tax returns still need to be filed by April 15 unless an extension is requested. Taking care of this necessary chore will make the future you glad that you did when this is all over.

𝐊𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐬 𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧. Keep calm during this stressful time by ensuring you’re getting enough sleep and minimizing anxiety triggers as much as possible. This can mean limiting the amount of times you check the news each day, and/or practicing yoga and meditation. Apps like Headspace can help you achieve complete mindfulness to further reduce stress levels.

Wishing you and yours continued health and safety as we navigate this challenging time together.

𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐓𝐮𝐫𝐧: How are you keeping busy during your time at home? Share your best ideas with us in the comments.