Why Chilling Isn’t The Same as Real Rest (And What You Should Do Instead)
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When you feel so sick you can barely lift your head from the pillow, you just want to get through the day in one piece. But as you’re slowly getting better, your mind might crave some distraction, even though your body is still too weak to do much.
That’s when the boredom creeps in.
Sure, catching up on your Netflix queue is fun at first. But when you find yourself refreshing your social media feed every 5 minutes because the only other option is staring at the ceiling, it’s time for some entertainment!
Finding fun distractions when you’re feeling unwell may seem like a luxury problem, but keeping your mind entertained while your body rests can actually have a bigger impact on your wellbeing than you might realize. Studies have shown that you need 3 positive emotions to make up for every negative one – and there’s no lack of unpleasant experiences when you’re (chronically) ill. What’s more, taking your mind off your problems can actually help you cope better with pain, while doing fun activities reduces stress.
That’s why I’ve compiled a list of fun things to do when you’re bored and sick at home, from relaxing self-care ideas and creative projects to soothing indoor hobbies that won’t drain your energy. No matter if you’re recovering from a cold or the flu or you’re coping with chronic illness, these low-energy entertainment ideas help make your rest days more enjoyable.
So keep your happiness ratio up while you’re bored and sick at home with these 28 enjoyable ways to pass the time.
28 Fun Things to Do When You’re Bored and Sick
1. Go old-school and write your friend a postcard or letter.
2. Curl up under a soft blanket with a good cup of tea and an easy-to-read book. A cozy mystery, laugh out loud novel or collection of short stories will help take your mind off being sick for a while.
3. Have a movie marathon. You could pick an interesting theme, like travel (Lost in Translation, Wild, Before Sunrise), art history (The Da Vinci Code, Goya’s Ghosts, Frida) or anything starring Ryan Gosling.
4. Do crafts work: string beads into a bracelet, have a go at knitting or try painting by numbers.
5. Give yourself a soothing foot massage. You can make it even more relaxing by using a small self-massage tool or natural massage oil.
6. Create a play list with happy songs – and sing along!
7. Browse your cookbooks or food blogs for an easy but healthy meal.
8. Call your mum or dad. No one in the world will make you feel better when you’re sick.
9. Do you physically feel unwell but your mind is still up for a challenge? Have a go at sudokus and crossword puzzles, play Mahjong, watch TED – talks or listen to captivating podcasts.
10. Give your bed room a mini makeover – especially if you spend much time in it! Hang new pictures on the wall, change up your pillow covers or display pretty items on a mirrored tray. Browse Pinterest for cute but doable DIY ideas.
11. Reminisce by compiling a photo book of the special moments in your life.
12. Turn a boring day in bed into a ‘slumber party for one’. Put a classic chick flick on, make some dark chocolate and sea salt popcorn and pamper yourself with a face mask and sparkly nail polish.
13. Build your own fantasy football team and join an online competition.
14. Learn to play a new song on your guitar or piano.
15. Bake something sweet yet nourishing, like these healthy morning glory muffins.
16. Keep a journal. It can be a safe way to express your feelings as well as boost your happiness by listing what you’re grateful for – despite your struggles – each day.
17. Treat your body well. Do some gentle stretching in bed and nourish yourself with herbal teas or veggie juices.
18. Watch an entire season of your favorite TV series or explore foreign hit shows like The Bridge, La Casa de Papel, Lupin or Squid Game.
19. Create a physical mood board. Collect inspiring images, magazine clippings, motivational quotes or fabrics – anything that helps you visualize your dreams, decorating scheme or signature look.
20. Sink into the tub for a long luxurious bath – with bubbles of course! You could also add some herbal ‘bath teas’ for an even more relaxing experience.
21. Play Solitaire, solo chess or a smart game.
22. If you feel up for it, go for a slow walk around the block. Maybe you can pick up a magazine or some colorful flowers to cheer yourself up?
23. Document your daily life with photographs. Even a dull day becomes fascinating when you’re trying to spot the beauty in everyday moments.
24. Find something that makes you laugh: a YouTube-video, hilarious joke or a comedy show. Laughter is called the best medicine for a reason!
25. Buy a colouring book for adults and get your crayons ready for some soothing creativity.
26. Grow a small herb garden in your window box. Not just nice to look at, but also a healthy, aromatic addition to your meals!
27. Plan a fun event for when you’ll feel better – a mini road trip, a concert or a night out with friends. You could also buy a Future Listography Journal and make lists of all the cool things you hope to do one day.
28. Disconnect from the world for a little while. Light a few candles, listen to relaxing music and just stare out the window.
If you spend a lot of time in bed or resting on the couch due to chronic health problems, I strongly recommend making your own list of fun activities or simple pleasures that you can enjoy even when you’re ill. Write down names of movies you’d like to watch, which books you’d like to read or particular projects that would cheer you up (e.g. “make a birthday card for my niece”).
Having specific ideas to fall back on when you’re in pain, lonely and bored out of your mind can really help you cope with bad days.
For more inspiration to beat the boredom, download the Bored and Sick Guide with 130 fun things to do at home when you’re (chronically) ill:
Download the Bored & Sick Guide
How do you like to keep yourself entertained when you’re bored and sick at home?
If you enjoyed reading this, you might also like 8 Mind Games to Play When You’re in Need of Distraction and 47 Ways to Make the Most of Rest Days.
For more low-energy entertainment when you’re (chronically) ill, take a look at the seasonal ideas in 19 Cozy Fall Activities for Chronic Illness as well as 17 Solo Date Ideas for When You Feel Lonely.
