It’s fair to say that the devastating outbreak of Coronavirus has left all of with a little bit more time to ourselves at home. 

Global lockdowns have led to many people having no option but to stay indoors to prevent the spread of the virus. This has left many of us twiddling our thumbs looking for a new hobby or two to sink our collective teeth into. 

Luckily, technology has developed to the point where staying at home doesn’t have to be as isolating as it sounds, and there are still plenty of ways to connect with the outside world get creative at the same time. 

With this in mind, here’s a guide detailing some of the ways we can make good use of our newfound spare time at home in the wake of Coronavirus: 

1. Start a blog

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While much of the world enters self-isolation, many of us will no doubt find ourselves craving a little bit of communication with the outside world. Chats we had with friends over divisive topics like the final episode of Game of Thrones or which musician deserves to be top of the charts at Christmas will begin to feel more valuable than ever. 

But just because we’re cooped up indoors, doesn’t mean we don’t have to start a conversation online. 

Blogging is a great way of committing your thoughts onto a word processor and sharing them with the world. We all have passions, and we all have a unique story to tell. Now that you don’t have a commute to deal with, or are facing a prolonged amount of time away from work, it could be the perfect chance to contribute to the zeitgeist and share your stories with the world. 

The great thing about blogging is that it’s easy to pick up, and entirely free to start on WordPress. Use Bluehost to create a blog. Simply allocate yourself some time in deciding on an angle and some topics, and start writing! Successful bloggers can even monetize their blogs if the content begins drawing in larger audiences - which could make for a useful new revenue stream for talented and creative writers - watch this space! 

2. Create a podcast

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One of the biggest problems with self-isolation is that it can be an extremely quiet experience. We can talk to our friends on messenger apps and watch TV, but there will be thousands of us out there who could go days on end without saying a word to anyone. Which is a shame because everybody has a story to tell, and a unique and informed perspective on at least one topic that others would like to hear about. 

You may be using your new spare time to listen to more podcasts, but have you ever thought about recording your very own podcast to broadcast to the world? It’s easier to do than you think.

Platforms like Buzzsprout have particularly useful How To guides and giving yourself the chance to talk for 20-40 minutes per day about the topics that matter to you can be especially refreshing if you’ve only got the house cat to keep you company while you’re required to stay indoors. 

The great thing about podcasts is that you can get your friends involved remotely through conferencing apps. Suddenly it can feel just like you’re all in the room together. Again, much like blogging, if you find that you and your friends have a particular knack for podcasting, it can be monetized into good extra revenue stream. Other podcasts like My Dad Wrote a Porno have gone from relatively humble backgrounds to performing live at the Albert Hall in London.

3. Listen to books

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Reading is an activity that so many of us would love to do if only we had a little bit more time in our daily routines. While Coronavirus is a less-than-perfect backdrop for new opportunities, it’s certainly the case that many of us have more time to indulge in a little bit of reading. 

Given that many of us will be spending all of our time indoors, it could be worth stepping away from the silence of reading books and instead filling the room with voices reading our those titles that we never quite got round to buying when they were released. 

Audiobooks help to break silent spells with a familiar voice reading out a narrative. Getting stuck into books can be a great way of broadening your mind, and Audible subscriptions come with a 30-day free trial. Now could be the moment you’ve been waiting for to power through some of those books that you’ve had your eye on reading but never quite got round to taking the plunge.

4. Fitness

(Image: Vancouver Sun)

One of the biggest challenges that many of us are facing now that we’re spending more time indoors is the need to keep in shape without leaving the house. 

Coronavirus has brought on the cancellation of an array of team sports across the globe. While some contries allow citizens to leave the house to exercise once a day, in other nations this isn’t as possible. 

The outbreak of the virus has prompted a series of unlikely crazes, and one of the most notable is the rise of Joe Wicks, The Body Coach. Wicks’ YouTube channel releases daily 30 minute home workout videos that participants of varying fitness levels can join in on and strive to keep fit and healthy despite being unable to leave the house. At the time of writing, the channel has over 1.75 million subscribers. 

Of course, there is a great range of home workout apps available to those of us who are looking to stay in shape throughout our respective periods of lockdown. Be sure to check your respective app stores to see what there is available to suit the level of fitness that you’re aiming to achieve. 

Staying at home means that we’ll inevitably lose out on much of the natural exercise that we partake in on a regular basis - even if it’s simply walking to catch the train each morning or having a wander on your lunch breaks. Be sure to look after your body in whatever way you can during this time of hardship. 

5. Take online courses

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It’s entirely possible to turn adversity into an opportunity, and using your newfound spare time to enrol on a certified online course is an excellent way of making sure you continue to better yourself while there is nothing else to do. 

Websites like Udemy are particularly effective when it comes to putting students in touch with experts in the subjects that they want to learn in. 

Have you ever wanted to learn to code in your spare time? Or figure out how to perform maintenance on your car? Now may be the greatest opportunity you have to grow your knowledge base - and possibly even your future prospects at the same time. 

Fundamentally, we’re all facing a brand new challenge. Life away from our friends and family can be difficult, and it’s vital that we use our time wisely to not only fend off the threat of boredom, but also the psychological dangers that loneliness can bring. We hope this list provides a few ideas to keep you happy during difficult circumstances.