Killing boredom at home when self-quarantined

Sergio
2020.04.02
265 views

If you’re anything like me, you have been spending a lot more time at home than you usually do, due to the Covid-19 outbreak. Businesses are asking people to telework and people are not spending time outside as much. I have personally been on compulsory paid leave and have had to cancel several trips abroad.
It can be a bit depressing to stay home for so long during these tough times, so here are some things you can do to kill boredom when self-quarantined.

１．Catch up with your backlog of movies, TV shows, and games. You should definitely get a Netflix and/or Amazon Prime Video account if you don’t have one, and watch all those movies and TV shows you have been curious about but had no time to check out. I have been watching animal documentaries, a genre I rarely watch these days, and find them oddly relaxing. Games are also great too, as they can last many hours. I’m particularly looking forward to Resident Evil 3 and Final Fantasy 7 Remake. If I’m still self-quarantined by the time they come out, I’ll be able to dedicate my full attention to them! Plague Inc. is a very relevant game you can play on your phone.

2. Tidy up your house. Personally, I find it stressing to live in a messy place, and Japanese apartments can be small, so what better time to do your spring cleaning and throw away all those things you barely ever use. Make sure the floor and surfaces are clear of clutter. At least your self- quarantine time will be more relaxing.

3. Go shopping… online. I’m personally not a big fan of malls big shopping areas anyway, so this comes very naturally to me, but this is definitely an ideal time to do all of your shopping online. Go on Amazon get all those things you need, or just browse and see if there is anything you like.

4. Learn something new. This is a great time to find a new routine and dedicate a couple of hours a day to learn a new skill. After weeks of self-quarantine, they will quickly add up to something meaningful. I have personally been studying kanji every morning after I wake up, and after dozens of hours of study I’m seeing real improvements!

5. Contact your close ones, and those people you haven’t talked to in a while. This is a great chance to ask people how they are, and a good excuse to contact those friends you haven’t seen in a long time. This is affecting everyone’s lives in one way or another, so why not keep those relationships healthy? Also, don’t forget to call your family and relatives. What better time to call grandma?

6. Cook. Before the self-quarantine was enforced, I would eat out most days. I’m not a big fan of cooking, especially since I usually arrive home after 10pm. These days, though, have been great to get back into it. I made some delicious balsamic vinegar chicken the other day! Perhaps you can learn some new recipes, or make one of those pot dishes that take so long but taste so good. Also, why not make coffee at home!

7. Exercise. The gym is probably one of the worst places you could go to if you want to avoid getting infected, so why not exercise at home. Do stretches, yoga, pushups… And as long as leaving the home is not entirely prohibited, cycling is a safe and enjoyable option. I have personally enjoyed a few midnight bicycle rides by the Tama river. Quiet and relaxing.

8. Buy essentials… without panicking. We don’t know how long this is going to last, or how bad it’s going to get, so it doesn’t hurt to be ready. I personally have bought some non-perishable or long-lasting foods. If the worst happens and we’re not allowed to leave home, at least I’ll have a good variety of foods to eat. No rush though! Just buy a few things every couple of days. Good luck with the toilet paper, though.

9. Listen to podcasts. You can do most of the things above while listening to a podcast, and either learn something new or just have some fun. Podcasts go well with almost any home activity!

10. Spend time with your partner and family. If you live with your partner, this is a prime opportunity to spend some quality time with them. You can eat every meal together and just talk! If you have kids, you can also spend more time with them while they have no school. There’s no better way to kill boredom.

Hi, I’m Sergio.
I’m from Spain, lived in the UK for seven years and came to Japan in 2012.
I majored in journalism in London and have been teaching English in Tokyo.
I like traveling, cycling, photography, movies, and spending time with friends.
I wrote articles about life in Japan as a foreigner and anything that I might find interesting.
My email is ” sergio.dom.jpn@gmail.com “, by all means contact me about anything!