How to Avoid Boredom when Sick at Home

Last Updated: March 5, 2023 References

Being sick is never fun. As you recuperate, you can begin to feel bored, especially if you have been alone for several days. But don’t worry -- there are plenty of ways that you can stay busy and help yourself feel better.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Engaging with Technology

1
Watch TV. Cozying up in front of the TV is one of the preferred ways to pass the time when you are sick. This is a good opportunity to catch up on the shows that you are normally too busy to watch. Allow yourself to indulge in some TV until you feel better.
- Try finding one of your favorite shows to watch. Indulge in a marathon of this TV series or get involved watching a new TV program.
- Watch old time movie classics. This is a good way to pass the time with some classics that everyone enjoys.
- Watch a comedy. The laugh will do you good and help you forget that you are stuck at home sick.
2
Surf the internet. Use the internet to your advantage. There are a million things you can search and spend time reading. Look up blogs, videos or articles on topics that interest you. ^{[1]
X
Research source}

Advertisement
3
Listen to music. Hearing some of your favorite songs can help improve your mood and actually work to make you feel better. Music has been proven to reduce pain and improve the immune system.^{[2]
X
Research source} It can also reduce anxiety and stress.
- Try listen to a genre of music you have never heard before. This will allow you to occupy your time with something new.
- Make a playlist that includes some of your favorite tunes. You will able to listen to this song list after you are feeling better as well.
- Play uplifting music that helps improve your mood. This will help distract you and allow you to become immersed in the music.
4
Play some video games. This will allow your mind to focus on something other than how you are feeling. There are also health benefits to playing video games such as pain and stress relief.^{[3]
X
Research source} Some popular video games to try are:^{[4]
X
Research source}
- You may have a collection of video games you haven’t played in a while or you can find a variety of games to play online.
5
Check social media. Being sick is a good time to catch up on your social media. Your account may need to be cleaned up, or you may want to engage with some friends.
6
Have a movie marathon. Try streaming some of your favorite movies. This will help elevate your mood and make the time fly by. Look for movies you haven’t seen in a while or ones that you have been meaning to watch for some time. Use services such as:^{[5]
X
Research source}
- You can stream movies online or head to your library for a vast variety of titles.
- Pick movies that you love watching or that you haven’t seen before.
- Movies that are part of a series will help occupy your time as you look forward to the next movie in the lineup.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Keeping Busy

1
Read a book. Catch up on your reading. Getting engrossed in a good story can help you forget how you are feeling. Whether you are interested in adventure, drama or suspense, you will be able to find array of novels that will pick your interest at your local library.
2
Call a friend. Reach out to your friends with a phone call. A good chat or laugh with friends can help boost your spirits and get you on the road to recovery. If you've lost your voice, or have a sore throat, you can also text them--- you're still interacting, and you can still share memories and have a laugh! For a list of things to talk about, visit this site: https://conversationstartersworld.com/topics-to-talk-about/
3
Try coloring or drawing. Bringing out your creative side will work wonders to make you feel better. Concentrating on a drawing or coloring in a coloring book will take your mind off being sick. Use a variety of drawing tools such as colored pencils, paints, crayons or markers to give yourself some variety.
4
Paint your nails. Making yourself look better is one way that you can speed up your recovery. A new coat of nail polish on your nails will improve your outlook and get you ready for when you feel better. Experiment with different color choices such as blue, yellow or hot pink.^{[6]
X
Research source}
5
Learn a craft. Crafts can be a fun way to create something new while you aren’t feeling good. You can do many craft projects with little effort. Many of the supplies you need will be found in your home. Try some of these easy to do craft ideas:^{[7]
X
Research source}
- Sew a tote page
- Crochet a blanket
- Knit a scarf
- Build a birdhouse
- Make photo coasters
- Frame a picture
6
Try a new language. Learning a new language can be a valuable tool, especially if you travel. There are plenty of resources online to walk you through the basic language learning skills. Language CDs and books are also helpful. Some languages to try are:
- Spanish
- Italian
- French
- German
- Chinese
7
Make a to-do list. Creating lists of things that you want to do when you feel better will give you something to look forward to. It will also help you to accomplish those tasks that you have been putting off. Think about all the things you want to get done and write them down on paper.
8
Browse cookbooks. Looking through cookbooks can be inspirational. It will help you plan your next meal and give you some good ideas on how to cook a variety of foods. Think about the different dishes you would like to try and come up with a shopping list for when you feel better.
9
Write a story or song. Getting your creative juices flowing is a good way to take your mind off of how you are feeling. Writing lyrics to a song or a story about a fun time in your life will help occupy your time.
10
Look at photo albums. Reminiscing by looking at photos is a good way to make you feel better. It will bring a smile to your face as you remember those happy occasions that you photographed. It will also help you remember all the people you know and the places you have been.
11
Give yourself a foot massage. Rubbing your feet can help relax your body when you are suffering from a cold. Rubbing the pressure points in your foot such as the ball, heel, and toes can help relieve headaches, body pain, and allow you to sleep better.
- Start in a comfortable position with your shoes and socks off.
- Rub and squeeze the pads of your toes for 30 seconds each.^{[8]
  X
  Research source}
- Move to the heel, arch, and ball of your feet. Continue to apply pressure to these areas.
- Don’t forget the ankle in your massage technique.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Eating and Drinking

1
Eat something warm. Eating something warm can help ward off the chills and make you feel a little better inside. This will also distract you from your illness and help the time pass a little faster. Be sure not to overdo it with a large meal. Try small bites like:
- Oatmeal
- Chicken broth
- Toast
- Scrambled eggs
- Saltine crackers
2
Drink some herbal tea. Sit back and relax with a nice cup of herbal tea. This will preoccupy your time and offers many health benefits as well. Stay away from caffeinated teas as this may upset your stomach. Try these types of herbal teas:
- Peppermint
- Chamomile
- Ginger
- Rooibos
- Rosehip
3
Eat some dark chocolate. When you are feeling sick, it is nice to have a treat to make you a little feel better. A piece of dark chocolate will distract you from your illness. A hot cup of cocoa is another way to pass the time and enjoy the health benefits that chocolate offers such as reduced blood pressure and improved heart health.^{[9]
X
Research source}