Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, many teenagers are having difficulty keeping busy. In an effort to fight the boredom, many organizations have shared ideas on what to do in the safety of our own homes. 

Nina Hamuy, a junior at Pine Crest, put together a PCTV special edition show to provide our student body with some great ideas for keeping busy. Hamuy told Paw Print, “While we may feel restricted by what we aren’t allowed to do, there are still so many things that we can do. If you can’t think of anything, just Google ideas! There’s so many out there.”

Paw Print has compiled our own list of things to do, which includes cleaning, catching up on sleep, baking, and cooking. Also, doing an arts and crafts project, doing a cardio or bodyweight workout, enjoying some pop culture by reading, watching movies, and listening to music are great ways to stay occupied. 

Leading a healthy lifestyle is essential to living and feeling better, so teenagers can take advantage of this time at home to improve their health practices. According to a Stanford University research team, sleep deprivation among teenagers is an epidemic, but during this time, many teenagers can adopt a new sleeping schedule, which can vastly improve their mental and physical well-being. Teenagers may also improve their overall health by working out. Working out releases endorphins and aids in coping with anxiety. Also, teenagers may use their free time to organize their rooms and workspace, which can improve their productivity and efficiency with daily tasks. 

While teenagers may use this time to better their health in a variety of ways, they can also use it to branch out and try new hobbies. Many families pass down recipes to learn, and several magazines and shows offer their cooking wisdom to teenagers (which certainly may come in handy in college).

Teenagers can also watch movies and listen to music using services such as YouTube, Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, Spotify, and Apple Music. Books are also accessible to read through Amazon and other ebook sites. Lastly, teenagers can put their artistic ability to the test by undertaking DIY projects or simply by drawing and painting. Inspiration can be found on Pinterest and Instagram.

While these times can be unsettling, it’s essential to realize that there are many things you may have available in your own home to help you stay occupied while remaining healthy and safe. 

Sources: Stanford University