When you were a kid, staying home sick from school meant a day full of video games and orange juice. If you were lucky, you could score a 3-day weekend. But things change as you get older.
Now, calling out sick means time away from work, important responsibilities, exhaustion, and feeling restless with nothing to do. It’s hard to put the world on hold when you’re sick. That’s why you need activities to pass the time. Here are seven fun things to do when you’re sick!
Go Back to School (For Free!)
Let’s be honest. The internet makes sick days much more bearable now. You have everything at your fingertips, from online shopping to cat videos. There are many ways to entertain yourself online when you’re sick, but you can also take the opportunity to enrich your education. The web is packed with free online courses from edX, Coursera, YouTube, Alison, and Hubspot. You’ll find thousands of free courses from top universities like MIT and Harvard. If you want to pay a little extra, you can earn an online certificate in the field of your choice. Not only does this enrich your life in general, but you can also put these online courses on your work resume to attract more job offers.
Puzzles Galore
You may be sick, but you can still exercise your brain! Sick days are perfect for indulging in your favorite crossword puzzles, Sudoku games, word problems, and logic puzzles.
There are excellent puzzle books at your local bookstore. You may be able to find some at a non-profit store like Goodwill or Salvation Army. If you have Amazon Prime, you can order one and receive it in just 24 hours. You’ll find a wealth of puzzles online, ranging from hidden objects to interactive word games. Facebook also has an impressive selection of puzzle games that you can play with your friends. There’s always good ole’ fashioned puzzles too! Bust out those classic jigsaw puzzles from your past. Puzzles create a sense of accomplishment, which is perfect for restless sick days.
Internet Gaming
Your gaming options aren’t done yet. Surf the web to discover thousands of popular action, adventure, and strategy games. Play your favorite RPG game with players from around the world!
If you want to feel like a kid again, sick days are the time to do it. Dedicate a day to playing your favorite retro video games like Super Mario Bros, Legend of Zelda, Donkey Kong, and Sonic the Hedgehog. Are you more of a PC gaming fan than a Nintendo Gamer? Enjoy all of your PC favorites from LucasArts, like The Secret of Monkey Island, X-Wing, Loom, and Maniac Mansion. You can also download these classics on such gaming platforms as Steam, Green Man Gaming, and GOG.
Sick days are another excuse to indulge in your favorite online casino games like Bingo, Casino Bonus Online, and video blackjack.
Netflix and Chill
The phrase “Netflix and chill” was made for sick days. Now you can finally watch all those shows that your coworkers have been raving about. You don’t have to purchase a year-long subscription to Netflix. Users pay by the month, so you can pay as little as $8.99 a month. That’s not a bad deal for hundreds of movies and TV shows, including over 150 original Netflix titles. Another fun perk is that you can enjoy Netflix on the device of your choice. You don’t even have to get out of bed! Netflix works on both smartphones and tablets.
Start a Novel
Anyone can publish a novel these days. Why not yourself? With the help of services from Amazon, Smashwords, and CreateSpace, you finally publish that novel you’ve been dreaming of writing.
With the success of self-published books like The Martian, Still Alice, and Fifty Shades of Grey, there’s never been a better time to self publish. If you need to brush up on your writing skills, you can always take some free writing courses online.
Discover New Music
It’s easy to go stir crazy when you’re stuck in bed. At least you have music to get you through these long sick days. Fortunately, the web is a smorgasbord for music. There are so many ways to discover new music and create playlists. Spotify, YouTube, Last FM, and iTunes are excellent places to start. With so many bands and artists, the choices can be overwhelming. Try websites like OkayPlayer, Billboard, and All Music to find new or indie artists you’ve never heard before.
Another option is an internet radio like Pandora, Live YouTube radio stations, and Live 365. You can also access your favorite local radio stations and NPR talk radio online.
Self-Care Day
Sick days are all about self-care. You already have games, movies, and music by your side. Now, you need all the spa and wellness goodies to complete your sick day.
Go wild with self-care! Draw a hot bath with lavender bath bombs and bubble bath. The steam will help you clear out your sinuses and sweat out the toxins. Give yourself a much-needed foot massage with cucumber lotion and a water-based foot massager. This will take “Netflix and Chill” to an entirely new level. Make a homemade peppermint mask with essential oils. This soothing mask will release peppermint vapors to help you breathe easier. You could also make a healthy face scrub with your peppermint essential oil. Don’t forget your tea! No self-care day is complete without a hot cup of herbal tea. Chamomile, lavender, Echinacea, Ginger, and Elderberry are best for sick days.
Discover More Things to Do When You’re Sick
Are you ready to transform those boring sick days? These fun ideas are just the beginning!
Now, it’s your turn. Can you think of more things to do when you’re sick? Think back to your favorite childhood hobbies for inspiration. What about those activities you’ve always wanted to pursue?
You can never have enough tips and tricks to get you through life. Discover even more ways to make the most out of your time!
