Pleasure! We all want it. Not only is it fun, but it enables our bodies to release oxytocin, which helps strengthen the immune system, heal wounds faster, and generally increase health and happiness. Problem is, often when we feel bad, tired, or bored, we can’t even imagine doing something fun.
To help with that, Moodsurfing has posted lists before of 80 fun things to do. And now, here’s the revised version for everyone under stay-at-home orders! We had to remove about 14 things that were all about going somewhere (bowling, ice skating…) and we separated out a list of 13 that can be converted to online or virtual activities.
Using this list, you don’t have to think of a fun thing to do, it’s all here. All you have to do is take a first step on one of these activities. It’s the first step that gives the motivation for the next step, and so on. Enjoy!
- Soaking in the bathtub
- Listening to music
- Recalling past parties/fun times
- Hobbies (collections, crafts…)
- Eating favorite foods
- Repairing things around the house/refinishing furniture
- Working on my car (bicycle)
- Taking care of plants/gardening
- Exercise: jogging, walking, dancing, etc.
- Planning a party
- Flying kites (in the backyard)
- Riding a motorbike
- Sex
- Going camping (backyard)
- Singing around the house
- Arranging flowers
- Praying (practicing religion)
- Sketching, painting
- Doing something spontaneously
- Birdwatching
- Playing musical instruments, learning a new instrument
- Making something artistic
- Making a gift for someone
- Cooking special meals
- Hiking or walking out in nature
- Early morning coffee and newspaper
- Kissing someone I love
- Watching my children play
- Playing with puppies or kittens
- Going bike riding
- Photography
- Staying on a diet/losing weight
- Star gazing
- Creative writing: stories, poetry, etc.
- Dancing around the house
- Going on a picnic (backyard)
- Meditating
- Remembering happy moments in my childhood
- Playing cards, with others or solitaire
- Having a political discussion
- Looking at or showing photos or slides
- Doing crossword puzzles, sudoku, etc.
- Dressing up and looking nice
- Lighting candles or incense
- Getting/giving a massage
- Saying “I love you” to someone special
- Doing woodworking
- Having an aquarium, watching fish
- Erotica (sex books, movies)
- Becoming active in the community (online)
- Making jigsaw puzzles
- Playing with my pets
- Having a barbecue (backyard)
- Rearranging the furniture in the house
- Using older technology that has been set aside, for example, playing old favorite CD’s or cassette tapes
- Writing your memoir/life story for posterity
- Baking bread, or something else you’ve never tried
- Cuddling on the couch
- Writing letters to the editor or to your congressional/state representatives
- Reading all the books on your bookshelf
- Sewing
- Knitting or crocheting
- Macramé
- Getting soaked in the rain
- Learning more about herbal medicine/growing herbs
- Practicing calligraphy
- Writing letters or cards to be sent to friends by mail
Online/Virtual
- Going to a movie, alone or with a date
- Spending an evening with good friends
- Going to a party
- Playing golf, tennis, basketball, other sports (online)
- Having family get-togethers (Zoom or Skype)
- Attending online services at church/synagogue/place of worship
- Travelling abroad, or to new places
- Singing with groups
- Sightseeing
- Going to plays and concerts
- Taking classes or courses in a new subject (online)
- Going to museums, art galleries
- Downloading books to read from the public library