38 Staycation Ideas for a Happy Holiday at Home
In wintertime, many of us with chronic illness spend a lot of time stuck at home. The cold weather may worsen your symptoms, icy sidewalks carry the risk of falling and with viruses circulating, you might need to avoid crowded places. Add the shorter days and long periods of darkness, and it’s no wonder this season can feel isolating, no matter how much you’d like to connect with others.
But loneliness hurts, not just emotionally but even physically. Social isolation actually activates the same neural pathways in the brain as physical pain. Over time, loneliness can lead to higher stress levels, poor sleep, increased inflammation, cardiovascular problems and a weakened immunity.
That’s the last thing you need when you’re already struggling with chronic illness. So when you feel alone during these cold, dark months, are there any accessible winter activities you could try to combat loneliness, even if you’re mostly at home by yourself?
Interestingly, research suggests that physical warmth, like sipping tea or taking a bath, can unconsciously mimic social warmth, making you feel less alone. Studies also show that experiencing awe helps you to feel like you’re part of something bigger than yourself, while small doses of nature increase your sense of belonging.
Worth keeping in mind when you’re sick at home, wondering what can you do to feel less lonely, right?
That’s why I’ve compiled a big list of 23 cozy but accessible winter activities to help you combat loneliness. It’s not the same as having a great time with people who truly get you, but hopefully it will help you feel a little more connected.
23 Accessible Winter Activities to Combat Loneliness
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1. Wrap yourself in warmth. Did you know that physical warmth can make you feel less alone? If you spend a lot of time sick at home, get yourself some cozy pajamas, fluffy socks or flannel blanket. You can even treat yourself to a hot water bottle, cherry pit pillow or heatable blanket for soothing sensations.
2. Knit a chunky scarf. Or any needle work you enjoy! Working with your hands is a fun way to reduce stress and boost your mood. For added meaning, you could consider helping others with your crafts, by knitting tiny hats for premature babies or making quilts for shelters.
3. Curl up on the couch with a wintery read. There’s nothing like the right book at the right time to make you feel understood. So whether you enjoy historical fiction like Winter Garden and The Frozen River or you’re in the mood for moving novels like Beartown and Wild Dark Shore, get all the snowy feels without leaving the comfort of home.
4. Sip hot and healing drinks. Making yourself a gingerbread latte, maple walnut hot chocolate or immunity-boosting winter tea can be just the doable treat you need!
5. Take up journaling. Winter feels like the perfect time for self-reflection. Aside from freely expressing your feelings, working with journal prompts can also help you to gather your thoughts, process your emotions or set your intentions for the season.
6. Build something. Whether you enjoy adult LEGO, a beautiful miniature house or a DIY book nook, these accessible winter activities will take your mind off your worries for a little (well, probably long) while.
7. Have a spa day at home. Warm up with an aromatic (foot) bath and gently massage yourself while moisturizing your skin. Indulge yourself with a DIY face mask, a homemade hair treatment or a cute nail polish, whatever you fancy. A little self-care goes a long way!
8. Do some slow cooking. What’s cozier than a nourishing dinner in a bowl on a cold evening? If you have no energy to spare, you can put your slow cooker to work for you, while the smell of braised beef ragu with polenta or golden lentil soup fills your kitchen.
9. Set up a wildlife feeding station outside. Seeing birds, squirrels or hedgehogs will make you feel more connected to the world around you. Even if you don’t have a garden, you can hang a clear bird feeder on your window, string whole peanuts or make some birdseed ornaments.
10. Create a vision board for the year ahead. You can center it around a theme word, health goals or monthly challenges. Be as creative as you want: get crafty with old magazines, photos, stickers and paper, make a Pinterest board or use Canva to design your dream vision.
11. Practice restorative yoga. Mindful movement can help you embrace, and maybe even enjoy, the beauty of stillness and solitude. So put your legs up against the wall or lie down in Child’s Pose to recharge.
12. Listen to podcasts. Not only will interesting talks about health, psychology, true crime or ancient history keep your mind engaged while your body rests, but you also take part in a wider societal conversation, even if it’s just passively right now.
13. Treat yourself to a winter citrus dessert. From chocolate chia pudding with orange puree to a winter citrus bowl with honey comb, these sweets pack a punch of vitamin C and flavor. Plus, the colorful look of these desserts will brighten up any grey day!
14. Look up at the night sky. Experiencing the vastness of the universe can make you feel really small and yet also part of something bigger than yourself. So when you feel lonely, see if you can evoke awe by staring at the stars. You could even use an astronomy app to see if you can identify any constellations.
15. Make a seasonal wreath. A hands-on hobby that result in natural home decoration, how can it not boost your mood? Take a look at these homemade wreaths to get you started.
16. Belt some tunes. Especially singing together supports bonding and makes us feel closer to the people around us. So listen to Christmas caroling in your neighborhood, join a virtual choir or host a Zoom karaoke. If you’re too sick for group activities, stream your favorite musicals and concerts, and sing along!
17. Get your nature fix. Studies show that spending time in green surroundings helps to reduce loneliness. And it’s easier to feel connected to nature than you’d think, even if you’re housebound. Have low-maintenance plants at home, drink coffee by the open window, watch beautiful nature documentaries or experiment with these 16 tips to head outdoors in winter with chronic illness.
18. Have a ‘festive’ dinner. Switch up your usual meals for something fun and wintery, but not too taxing. Think cheese fondue with veggies, a Chinese hotpot or Scandinavian smörgasbord.
19. Update your photo albums. Hopefully this creative winter activity brings back happy memories and reminds you of all the supportive people in your life. Too much work? You can also get a shared digital picture frame to stay connected to family and friends.
20. Perform a small act of kindness. Being kind to others makes you feel like you belong too. Even when you spend most of your time at home, you can send a sweet note to a struggling friend, keep a bee-friendly garden, vote with your money or volunteer online.
21. Play an online escape room game. Up for a mental challenge? Ask your friends to join you for some virtual immersive puzzling, or try if you can solve the mystery by yourself. A fun way to bond and forget your sorrows for a while.
22. Adopt the Swedish tradition of ‘fika’. Take an intentional break mid-morning by sitting down with a cup of good coffee or artisan tea and a sweet treat, like a cinnamon roll. You could make this moment even more ‘hygge’ by listening to your favorite song, reading one poem or writing a card to your friend.
23. Look for the light in the dark. On cold, grey days, turn on the (virtual) fireplace or light a candle at dinnertime for a reflective atmosphere. If it’s doable health wise, you could also go for a stroll around the neighborhood to watch the Christmas lights. And when you’re bed bound, those old-school glow in the dark stars placed on the ceiling can offer a glimmer of hope.
Winter can be an isolating season when you’re living with chronic illness. Nothing can replace the company of family and friends, but hopefully these accessible winter activities will add some warmth, positive distraction and sparks of connection to your days, even when your world feels small.
Which winter activities help you to feel a little better when you’re lonely?
For more inspiration, try these 16 solo date ideas for chronically ill people or learn how to better deal with emotional loneliness, that awful feeling that nobody understands what you’re going through.
