Top 10 Productive Things to Do When You're Bored at Home

Knowing what to do when you’re extremely bored can be a frustrating problem. Maybe you have a free hour or a whole day off, but you just don’t know how to spend it - and instead, you end up wasting it on procrastination. 

Ever wondered what should I do when I am bored? If you want to spend your free time on something special, you need to know some productive things to do when you’re bored at home. Whether it’s writing in daily journals late at night or mindfulness in the morning, here are our top ten suggestions to inspire and motivate you for things to do at home when you're bored.

Things to do when you're bored

Connect with others

Making a connection with friends and loved ones is one of the best things to do when you're bored. That's because people who are more socially connected have lower anxiety and depression levels, along with higher self esteem and immunity. 

Whether it’s a best friend or a colleague you haven't heard from in a while, sending a quick message or making a call to check in with them can boost your mental health and strengthen your relationships. Ask them about their day, make plans to meet up, or simply chat about the great times you've shared together. 

Enjoy creativity

Creativity is the ultimate gateway to positivity and inspiration. If you have even just a free half hour, get out a sketch book and practice drawing faces, landscapes or flowers - whatever takes your fancy! 

Or how about learning to knit or crochet? Or to sew textiles? Cross stitch is a simple and fun way to embark on embroidery. Then, share your designs with friends and family on social media. Sketching and doodling is also a great way to unleash your creativity.

Set your goals for the future

If you’re looking for productive things to do when you’re bored at home, there’s no better choice than looking to the future. Use a daily goal setter to think about your plans for the next few years ahead.

Write down a long-term goal that you’d like to reach in the next five to ten years. Split that goal into five shorter mid-term goals that would help you reach your ultimate aim. Choose a smaller, daily goal to work on and get stuck in immediately. 

Read something new

Still struggling for something to do. Reading has many benefits for your life, including strengthening your brain, reducing stress and supporting healthy sleep patterns. One of the best things to do when you’re bored at night is simply to take out a good book and read. 

Choose books that fit with your current mood. Do you feel like reading something cheerful or insightful? Fiction can be relaxing and engaging, whilst non-fiction is informative and inspiring. Afterwards, why not write about your reading session? What did you think of the characters? Do you feel you’ve learned something new?

Empower yourself through affirmations

Affirmations can inspire and motivate you on dreary afternoons. Simply choose a card from your affirmation cards deck - whether at random or based on the message you like best. 

Internalise the message. What does it mean to you? How can you use the affirmation to improve your life and wellbeing? Let the affirmation guide you through the day.

Take time to give thanks

If you are wondering what to do when you are bored, why not spend some time appreciating what you have? Expressing gratitude reminds you of the wonderful things you have in your life - so it's a great boost to your mental wellbeing. 

Write in your gratitude journal about a person or thing you feel grateful for. You might just find something you want to spend more time on.

Practice self care and mindfulness 

Taking care of yourself is one of the most productive things to do when you're bored at home. Make yourself a cup of chamomile tea and savour the taste. Light a candle or burner and soak up the beautiful scents. Prepare a tasty meal or snack with plenty of healthy vegetables and fruits. Keep hydrated. Exercise, or practice yoga and tai-chi. 

Sometimes the best thing to do when you're bored is to relax and embrace the present moment. Focus on your breathing for several moments, then draw your mind onto the world around you. What can you see, hear, smell and taste? Notice the small details. Can you hear birds chirping or cars driving by? Keep your attention on these details and allow your body to truly relax and unwind. 

Start learning a new hobby

Hobbies teach us new things and instantly distract us from boredom. Interested in science, the arts or technology? There are plenty of amazing YouTube videos to help you understand the ins and outs of your chosen subject. Or if you want to go even further, try a full length course on Coursera or Udemy.

‘Ciao!’ ‘Aloha!’ ‘Bonjour!’ Languages connect us with the wider world and are an invaluable, transferable skill. That's why taking up a new language as a hobby is one of the most productive things to do when you're bored at home. 

Tidy and declutter your home

A cluttered home leads to a cluttered mind. So, if you're feeling bored, it's the perfect time to clear your home of junk. 

Don't overface yourself. Focus on one room at a time. Think about the atmosphere you want to create in the room. A restful bedroom for a peaceful sleep, perhaps? Or an invigorating office to motivate you? Clear out any items that don't fit with the room's atmosphere, along with anything you haven't used in over a year.

Tend to your garden or indoor plants

Nature has a wonderful impact on mental wellbeing. If you have a spare minute and you're feeling a bit bored, one of the best things you can do is enjoy plant life. If you have a garden, sit out among the flowers and tend to their needs. Check if they need watering or pruning back.

If you live in a flat, enjoy looking after your indoor plants. Learn the names of the plants, feel the texture of their leaves, and discover the best spots to keep them healthy and happy for years to come.

When you're feeling bored, consider it the perfect time to discover new activities and take care of your needs. Using your spare moments to connect with others, practice self care and declutter your home helps you to reflect and nurture yourself with your free time. Now you've learned some productive things to do at home bored, browse our collection and discover stylish, minimal daily journals and goal setters to help you dispel boredom for good.