We’ve been social distancing for over two months by now (at least I have), and while I am not one that usually spends a lot of time away from the house because I’m a bit of a homebody, there are a few things that I regularly do to take a break. My favorite of which is to head to the movies on a solo date—something I tend to do at least once a month. Sadly, I haven’t been able to do that for a while now. None of us have.
But even if we’re sticking close to home these days, we still need to be able to take a break which is considerably hard to do if your home and work are in the same place. This gets harder if you’re living in a small space with a roommate (like I am) or a partner, and even tougher if you have little ones running around that also want to be entertained.
So, how do you take a break when you can’t leave?
Go For a Walk
Technically this is leaving, but I’m including it because most of us are not actually confined to our homes and it’s a great way to get out, stretch your legs and be somewhere where you can’t see your computer every place you look. If you need some real me time, opt to take a walk alone. You can even leave your dog home if you need to. I love my pooch more than anything, but I go for at least one solo walk per day, sans puppy, even if it’s short.
Watch a Movie
I am a HUGE film fan and while I would normally head to the theatre to see a new flick, I’ve made a point of watching some films that I’ve already seen and love or new ones that I’ve been meaning to watch for the last few weeks now. When I watch a film, I leave my phone in the other room… seriously, because you’re not really watching if you’re busy texting or watching Tik Tok videos.
Read a Book
I’ve also put some real emphasis on spending more time reading. Reading is relaxing for me, it helps relieve tension and anxiety and has a way of transporting you to another film. I try to read 30 minutes per day, but most days I managed to wiggle out closer to two hours. When I’m really into a book I’ll sit there and read through the night. Last week I 110% admit to reading through two books.
Listen to a Podcast
Most days I’m the person who listens to podcasts while I’m doing something. But I have taken to listen to a few of my favorites while lying on my bed in the late afternoon if I need a break. It’s a great way to take an hour to yourself without committing to do anything. Plus, you actually hear everything that goes on!
What do you do to take a break when you can’t leave? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Looking for More Insights?
Tae started out as a journalist before following the money into the corporate world. But it turns out that the grass isn’t always greener and now you can find her spending most of her time writing about all the things she loves. Namely, money, travel and business with a hefty dose of self-deprecating humor. She is a podcast fanatic, blogging aficionado and loves to find new ways to turn passions into cold hard cash!