Coronavirus: 10 ways to boost your mood while staying at home

As Coronavirus continues to sweep the world people are being encouraged to stay at home in a bid to flatten the curve of it spreading. Spending time at home is usually something we look forward to but right now it can feel a little uncertain and troubling. Along with keeping tabs of your physical health, it’s important to look after your mental health too. Here’s a list of lighthearted ways to boost your mood and stay entertained at home.

1. Make a photo book

Looking at photos and revisiting happy memories is a guaranteed way to give you some feel-good vibes. So why not use your time productively and boost your mood by making a photo book online.

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🎉🎉This one’s for all my girls who say “I’m not crafty!”🎉🎉 This super easy mini album can be made in minutes! #handmadewithjoann

A post shared by Amber Kemp-Gerstel (@damasklove) on Aug 1, 2019 at 8:56am PDT

You’ll finally get your photos off your phone and into a beautifully curated photo album that’s posted to you.

2. Have a movie marathon

Pile up the cushions, grab a cosy blanket, draw the curtains and snuggle down for a movie marathon. Here are some tasty snacks and light-hearted movies to make your next Netflix binge a mood-booster.

3. Read a magazine or book

Unplug from the constant stream of alerts and information by putting your feet up and reading a book or a magazine.

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✨February wrapup!✨ [Thanks to the tagged publishers for the gifted books.] . It was another great reading month! 10 books in all (Wild at Heart not pictured), 7 from my #unreadshelf, 2 audio and the rest physical or ebook. There were so many good ones (6 were 5⭐️!) it’s impossible to pick a favorite. Reallllllly hoping I can keep this up because a fulfilling reading life makes for a happy Katharine. What did you read + love in February? . The Giver of Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (this was @thebooklyclub’s February pick — I’ll be going live with Katie on Wednesday at 8:30PM EST, so come join us!) The Affairs of the Falcóns ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I Wish You All the Best ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ In Five Years ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Her Body and Other Parties ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 Girl, Woman, Other ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The Proposal ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Wild at Heart ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The Happier Project 🎧 ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 Heart Talk 🎧 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A post shared by Katharine 📖 readwithkat (@readwithkat) on Mar 2, 2020 at 5:56am PST

You can easily subscribe to magazines or buy books online so they’re sent straight to your door. Plus you can grab a mag from your local supermarket or when you do your next online order.

4. Support small businesses

Supporting local businesses is really important right now. Shopping online is a simple way to help out and many businesses are offering gift certificates that can be redeemed at another time.

5. Pamper yourself

Nothing says mood booster like lighting some candles, running a bath, playing some soothing music, and putting on a lush facemask. Even if you’re only able to do one of these things, you’ll still get a taste of rest and relaxation.

6. Do some gardening

There’s something about being close to nature and using your hands that really helps to ground you and make you feel good.

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🍅A cherry #tomatotuesday update and a little tip for newbies don’t panic like me when you see potato leaf shaped leaves like the one in the middle tomatoes leaves come in all shapes & sizes just like us💁‍♀️but they all smell the same 😆tomato seedling sniffer out & proud 🙌🏻 and don’t forget to ‘tickle your tomatoes’ to strengthen the stems a small fan or a gentle brush of the hand works a treat enjoy 😉💚#gyo #tomatoes #seedlings #germination #indoorgrowing #kitchengarden #allotment #greenthumb #gardening #cherrytomatoes #tomatolovers

A post shared by Debbie (@mrsbeesgarden) on Mar 10, 2020 at 10:04am PDT

Weeding, pruning and racking those autumn leaves are all simple yet mood-boosting tasks. If you don’t have a garden, give your indoor plants some attention by dusting and wiping their leaves.

7. Listen to a podcast or do a meditation

Screen time can quickly creep up when you’re hanging about the house. Listening to a podcast is a great way to stay entertained and allows you to do tasks at the same time. Or if you really want to switch off apps like InsightTimer offer a range of guided meditations that appeal to both beginners and experts.

8. Do an at-home workout

It’s important to stay active even when you’re at home. Get your heart rate up and those endorphins pumping by doing a workout at home.

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Completed one of our 20 min equipment free workouts this morning at home 🤗 Finished off with this little 5 min AMRAP, feel free to try this at home. 10x crunches, 3x reverse burpees, 10x star jumps, 3x squats REPEAT non stop for 5 min ❤️💪🏼 @keepitcleaner - PS: I had my tv on for screen mirroring whilst using the app and forgot to turn it off for filming 😂 Music, Taylor Swift: The Man

A post shared by Stephanie Miller (@stephclairesmith) on Mar 21, 2020 at 5:53pm PDT

If you’re unsure where to begin there are plenty of online works outs and fitness apps you can try.

9. Do some decluttering

Tidy home, tidy mind right? Whether you want to go full-blown Marie Kondo or you just want to refold your towels in your linen closest, doing a bit of tidying and organising around the house will give you a satisfying feeling of accomplishment when you’re done. Here are some tips for decluttering different areas in your home. Now is also the perfect time to organise your makeup collection and throw out products that have overstayed their welcome in your vanity. 

10. Skype or FaceTime a loved one

You can still be social while social-distancing. Give your friends and family a video call and check in with them.

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A post shared by Ellen DeGeneres (@theellenshow) on Mar 20, 2020 at 10:02am PDT

Connecting with your community is important and making time to have a good chat with loved ones is sure to boost your mood.

This story originally appeared on our sister site Homes To Love.

What mood-boosting activity are you trying? Tell us in the comments below!

Main image: @sararobeymakeup