43 Soothing At-Home Activities to Rejuvenate Yourself

When times aren’t easy, it’s good to have activities that help you rejuvenate yourself. They may not fix everything, but your mind will start to feel more relaxed. You may even find that a simple act like enjoying your morning coffee puts a smile on your face.

To be honest, it’s hard to find the right words to say about this situation right now. It’s all pretty dizzying.

Watching the news is anxiety provoking, people from around the world are struggling, and time has essentially paused for a little while. Many places are implementing stay-at-home orders (Chicago being one of them) in order to flatten the COVID-19 curve. 

I just want you to know that if you’re struggling, it’s okay. Not every day will be productive or simple; we don’t live in an Instagram post. Some moments are harder and messier than others. (Personally, I’ve had days where my anxiety makes it hard for me to get out of bed!)

Remember that you’re only human and this isn’t an easy situation. It’s something we’ve never been through before.

The most important thing is that you’re being gentle with yourself — even if that means taking it one step at a time.

Make sure to treat yourself with the kindness and care you deserve. And know that you’re going to get through this!

Here are some simple at-home activities to hopefully help refresh your mind, body, and soul. ☀️💗

43 Home Activities to Rejuvenate Yourself

1. Get ready before starting your day.

Before you start your day, do your best to get ready. Dress as though you were going somewhere, but keep it comfy. I’d recommend finding staple pieces like leggings, tees, sweaters, casual dresses, and cardigans. Having a morning routine like this will make you feel more put together and ready for the day!

2. Open your windows for fresh air.

For anyone who lives in apartment, I feel your pain! We live in a one bedroom with no balcony. It’s a bit rough, but opening the windows helps a lot. Make sure you’re cracking your windows open during the day to let fresh air in.

3. Stay in touch and video-chat with your loved ones.

Schedule some time in your day to stay in contact with people you love. It’s hard not seeing family and friends, but thankfully we have a lot of ways to stay connected. Call up your loved ones, FaceTime, send a text, Facebook message, Zoom, Skype, or Whatsapp them! It’s always comforting to see a familiar face. 💗

4. Take a hot shower.

I’ve found that one of the simplest ways to rejuvenate yourself is to take a hot shower. It will relax your muscles and give your mind a bit of a rest. A low-maintenance self care act could just be showering, washing, and conditioning your hair.

5. Explore new places through virtual tours.

Since we’re not able to travel right now, virtual tours are a fun way to explore new spots! Google Arts & Culture offers virtual tours of museums from all around the world. I also found an awesome site called AirPano where you can take 360° virtual tours of various travel spots!

More Virtual Tour Ideas:

• The Best Virtual Tours and Activities to Explore at Home
• 10 of the Best Virtual Tours of the World’s Natural Wonders

6. Start a Goodreads account.

When you set up your Goodreads account, it prompts you to start a reading challenge. You can choose how many books you’d like to read for the year. You’ll also get reading recommendations based on your preferences. Right now, I’m listening to The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary.

Some of my favorite books:

• Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
• The Highly Sensitive Person by Elaine Aron
• Lock Every Door by Riley Sager
• A Corner of the Universe by Ann M. Martin
• This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen
• Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
• The Ghost Road by Charis Cotter
• Mermaids: The Myths, Legends, and Lore by Skye Alexander

7. Limit social media time.

Every once and a while, it’s helpful to detox from social media. Staying informed is important, but make sure to unplug if you feel the news is taking a toll on your wellbeing. It’s okay to take a break for a while to protect your mental health. You may even find that setting up designated times for social media is a useful habit.

8. Use grounding techniques.

Grounding techniques are super helpful for combating anxiety. They work to bring you back to the present moment. Probably the most common grounding technique is the 5,4,3,2,1 method.

For more info, check out my calming guide on grounding techniques!

9. Stream a play on National Theatre at Home.

I just recently found out about National Theatre at Home! You can watch various filmed live plays just like you were going to the theatre! If you miss the show, you can always view it later. It’s such a cool way to feel as though you went out for the evening!

10. Stay hydrated.

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. One of the most powerful (and easiest) ways to stay healthy is to drink water. Keep a water bottle near you throughout the day and drink when you feel thirsty. It’s so important!

11. Journal your feelings.

Keep a dairy and start writing down your thoughts. Be honest about how you’re doing and don’t be afraid to word vomit! It’ll help you to stay in touch with your feelings throughout this situation.

12. Start a Google Hangouts book club.

A fun activity you can do from home with your friends is start a book club! Decide on a book together and choose a time to have a virtual meeting on Google Hangouts! It’s a nice way to stay connected and read new books on a consistent basis.

13. Find a calming hobby.

Think of a hobby you always wanted to start, but just never had the time. Find something that relaxes you: painting, gardening, knitting, reviewing films, blogging, etc. If you need a little inspiration, here are some calming hobbies to help you rejuvenate yourself.

14. Donate to a charity fighting COVID-19.

If you can, consider donating to a charity working to combat COVID-19. Research ways you can help those who are affected by the virus. I really like this article by Bustle that gives you some ideas of how you can make a difference!

15. Do daily stretches.

A super simple way to rejuvenate yourself, but it’s so easy to forget! We are not moving as much, so make sure you’re taking a break to stretch. It’ll prevent you from getting too stiff and overall is just a good habit!

16. Switch up your space.

Do your best to change up your environment and spend time in different areas of your place. If you live in an apartment like me, this isn’t so simple. In this case, my recommendation is to spend time in areas with more sunlight and switch up your furniture placement. It helps to have a change of scenery, even if it’s a small difference!

17. Have a solo dance party in your kitchen.

Cheesy, I know. But sometimes you need to just let loose! When I was little, I always used to have solo dance parties in my basement (hairbrush included)! Who says you can’t be a kid again every once in a while?

18. Attend a free online event.

There are so many virtual events and live-streams going on right now! You’ll find a lot on Instagram, but here is a list of super fun online events you can go to!

19. Decorate your at-home workspace.

If you’re working from home, try organizing and decorating your workspace. It’ll make for a more positive and productive environment. Even just a few changes can help shift your mood.

Etsy has a lot of amazing decor and you’d be supporting a local artists. Wayfair is another good place to get new finds for less. You may even want to DIY some decor and Pinterest has plenty of inspiration when it comes to crafts!

Some Decor Inspo:

• Pretty Up Your Desk With These DIY Desk Accessories
• 18 DIY Home Office Decor Ideas to Boost Productivity

20. Have an indoor picnic!

Treat yourself to a picnic at home. Make a yummy lunch, grab a blanket, and enjoy! 🍉

21. Enjoy a cup of tea.

Tea has a variety of health benefits and even contains antioxidants. Search your kitchen cabinets for packets and rejuvenate yourself with a nice cup of tea! 🍵

22. Watch a #TogetherAtHome Instagram live!

If you have Instagram, tune in for #TogetherAtHome! Lady Gaga started this special with Global Citizen and it’s such a lovely concept. Musicians are playing acoustic shows from home on Insta live and there’ll also be a broadcast on April 18th. (Make sure to check out their site for more info!)

If you’ve missed past live-streams, you can watch them all on their YouTube channel! My favorite so far was Niall Horan’s — it was so relaxing!

23. Look up workout videos on YouTube.

It can be a struggle to workout at home, but YouTube has plenty of videos to choose from! I personally love Yoga with Adrienne and POPSUGAR dance videos. If you’re looking for a good cool down, I recommend this video by MadFit.

24. Make a relaxing playlist.

Music is a great way to help rejuvenate yourself. Make a playlist of songs that bring you to a more peaceful mindset. You can make playlists for free if you download Spotify on your computer or laptop. I’ve made so many playlists in the past for myself and to share on blog posts. Feel free to listen to a recent one I’ve made for this post!

At-Home Playlist to Rejuvenate Yourself

25. Sleep in.

Sometimes, we can really be hard on ourselves and feel like we always have to be on the go. When was the last time you really allowed yourself to take a break or slept in? If possible, find a day where you can get some extra zzz’s and turn off any alarms. You deserve it!

26. Place positive sticky notes somewhere visible.

If you’re feeling down, it’s helpful to visually see positive words and affirmations. Stick some feel-good quotes and mantras on your fridge as a way to boost your mood. 💗

27. Browse through old magazines and books.

We all have old books and magazines laying around. Flip through an old magazine or pick up a book you never got around to reading!

28. DIY your own beauty products.

For some inspiration, check out A Life Adjacent. They have so many helpful and creative DIY beauty ideas!

29. Subscribe to an online publication.

Is there a publication you’re interested in? Consider an online subscription! I’m loving Breathe Magazine right now as they cover mindfulness and feature a lot of helpful tips for anxiety!

30. Watch music videos.

Probably one of the funnest ways to rejuvenate yourself. Grab some popcorn and watch your favorite music video!

Some of My Faves:

• Landon Pigg — Falling in Love at a Coffee Shop
• Corrine Bailey Rae — Like a Star
• Colbie Caillat — Bubbly
• Nelly Furtado ft. Timbaland — Promiscuous
• Harry Styles — Adore You
• Lights — Toes
• Bruno Mars & Cardi B — Finesse
• Paramore — The Only Exception
• Doja Cat — Say So
• Niall Horan — Heartbreak Weather

31. Cover your favorite song.

As a way to rejuvenate yourself, make a cover of your favorite song! You can even film it for fun and share it with your friends. Alejandro and I have been working on a cover of Linger by the Cranberries. It’s such a relaxing way to forget about stuff for a while!

32. Sign up for an online course.

A good way to acquire a new skill is to sign up for an online course! It’s also a helpful strategy to distract yourself. Mooc.org (massive open online courses) has so many free courses to choose from. You can learn a new language, take an HTML course, or learn about the solar system!

33. Take walks — you can even exercise in your backyard.

If you have a backyard, grab a chair and enjoy some sunlight. Another helpful activity is to take walks around your block or neighborhood. Just make sure you’re taking preventative measures and not visiting any local spots like parks or beaches.

34. Listen to inspiring podcasts.

Another helpful activity to do at home is listen to podcasts. Search for a podcast that motivates you or calms your nerves during times of stress. My favorite right now is Happiness Spells, a five minute podcast of happy things. I even featured it in my 15 Motivational Podcasts to Listen to in 2020 post!

35. Bake yummy treats.

Baking is an awesome way to destress. Plus, who doesn’t love the cozy scent of yummy treats filling your kitchen? 🍪

Simple Recipes:

• Banana Bread
• Lemon Cookies
• One Bowl Brownies
• Ina Garten’s Chocolate Cake

36. Host an online marathon on Netflix Party!

Okay, I had no idea about this but you can watch Netflix virtually with your friends on Netflix Party!

Right now, I’m watching Lucifer and the show is absolutely hilarious. Tom Ellis is bae and the characters have so much chemistry. I’d totally recommend if you need a good laugh!

Here’s a list of some top Netflix shows for more inspiration! 📺

37. Start a skincare routine.

Having a skincare routine is a nice way to rejuvenate yourself. It could be as simple as washing your face every night before bed, moisturizing, or wearing sunscreen daily. Start building up a mini collection of products you really enjoy and setting aside time to focus on skincare.

Here are 21 Best Skincare Tips, According to Dermatologists!

38. Spring clean your home.

A tidy space will make you feel more positive about your environment. Also, you’ll feel a lot more organized if everything is in its right place. Some good “spring cleaning” activities include doing laundry, vacuuming, organizing your closet or pantry, and cleaning out your fridge.

To help you get started, consider downloading a spring cleaning checklist like this one!

39. Take a relaxing bubble bath.

There’s nothing quite like a soothing bubble bath after a long day. Light a candle, play music, and enjoy some much needed me-time! ✨

40. Learn random history facts.

If you kept any of your old history textbooks, it’d be the perfect time to revisit them! You can also look up Ebooks on your local library’s online database. I actually even found a channel on YouTube recently called Weird History and it’s so interesting!

41. Cook simple but healthy meals.

It can be a challenge to find the things you need grocery-wise. Because of this, look up recipes that are simple, healthy, and require less ingredients!

A few of my go-to recipes:

• Baked Avocado Chicken Burritos
• Garlic Butter Herb Steak Bites and Potatoes
• Sopa De Fideo
• Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta

42. Moisturize your hands with lotion.

Washing your hands consistently is the best way to protect yourself. It does leave your skin feeling dry at times, so make sure to put on some of your favorite lotion. A simple form of self care, but a nice way to pamper yourself a bit!

43. Make a dream board.

Express and rejuvenate yourself through a dream board. For example, maybe you’re a beach lover. You can cut out scenery pics from old magazines and incorporate a lot of sky-blue and pastel themes! 🌊

Map out a plan for the board, choose your outlet (paper, digital, etc.) and get creative!

I hope that you enjoyed this post, everyone! Stay safe, healthy, and know that things are going to be okay. Sending a lot of love and good energy your way!

What are some at-home activities that you do to rejuvenate yourself?

Grab an iced coffee or tea & stay a while! ☕

• 47 Productive Things to Do When You’re Bored
• 45 Things to Do Alone & Feel Refreshed
• 47 Self-Love Ideas for When You’re Sad