Stuck at Home During Flu Season? Here are Four Ways to Beat the Blues

We know the feeling all too well—you wake up ready to start your day and realize that your body feels broken and you can’t seem to breathe properly. Flu season can be really nasty, not just because you feel under the weather but because you’re forced to stay at home until you get better. The first couple of days are usually the toughest, as that’s when the symptoms are most pronounced—your nose is stuffy and you can’t seem to put two sentences together without coughing.

However, as your condition starts improving, you’ll be faced with another problem—boredom. You’ll still be too weak to move around the house, but you’ll need a good distraction to pass the time. So, what exactly can you do without leaving the comfort of your cozy bed? Well, thanks to the all-mighty Internet, the options are limitless. If you’re stuck at home and bored out of your mind, then make sure to keep reading the article for four entertaining and engaging activities.

Cross a book off your reading list

Do you have a list of books you promised you’d read this year and somehow failed to do so? If the answer is yes, then welcome to the club. One of the most common New Year resolutions worldwide is “reading more books” and we never seem to do this resolution justice. That’s why grabbing a good book or two is a perfect distraction when you’re feeling blue. It not only keeps your attention focused on the piece you’re reading, but you get to explore an entire new world.

Flu season is the best time to finally cross a book off your reading list or to finish the book that’s been sitting on your nightstand for ages. However, we recommend staying away from grim and disturbing stories when sick. You’d better choose a light piece that will make you laugh and forget about your troubles. A gripping comedy is the best medicine you’ll need.

Take a virtual tour

If the coronavirus has brought anything positive, it’s the fact that many museums have opened up their doors and allowed people to sightsee and explore new places without stepping foot outside their doors. Believe it or not, you can visit any museum you like and never have to leave your room again. Last year, Google Arts and Culture teamed up with more than 2000 museums and galleries in order to create virtual tours and exhibitions where you can learn a lot about different cultures and their art.

For instance, the British Museum in London is one of the most renowned cultural institutions and in just a couple of clicks you can be one of the visitors roaming the museum. After you’ve seen what England has to offer, why not check out Paris and Musée d’Orsay?

Engage in online gaming

If you’re not the artsy type, don’t worry—we got something for you too. Since you can’t invite a bunch of friends over to play Uno or a thrilling game of Cluedo, you’ll have to find some other ways of socializing. Online gaming has witnessed a boom in the last couple of years and in case you haven’t tried it out already, now’s the time. If you’re over 18, nothing’s stopping you from visiting an online casino. It’ll keep your mind occupied for hours and maybe you’ll even earn some cash.

As a new user, you’ll be rewarded with different types of casino bonuses, so make sure to take advantage of those. Online gaming is a great pastime and you won’t even notice the time. The best part is you can make it a group activity by inviting your friends to join in. You can use a server such as Discord to communicate while playing your favorite game.

Take an online course

For anyone looking to use their time wisely and maybe even learn something, an online course is the best way to do that. Many universities are offering free courses and you can learn anything from digital marketing to languages. If you’re not sure where to start, check out platforms such as Coursera where you’ll find a list of free courses covering different topics.

You can browse the categories and choose the topic that interests you most. Whether you’re a student or employed, these extra courses will help you hone your skills and add a new qualification to your CV. As mentioned, most of these courses are free, but if you want to receive evidence of completion in the end, you’ll probably have to pay a small fee.

The bottom line

As you see, staying at home doesn’t have to be a complete waste of time. You can distract yourself by playing a fun game of poker or learn something new about the culture of Egypt—the choice is up to you! We’ll give you a bonus tip to get back on your feet quickly—stay hydrated and warm and don’t forget your vitamins.