Finding unique (and easy) things to do when you’re stuck at home

Here are some ideas to break up the monotony

by Noura Costany | September 9, 2024

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Because of ongoing health issues, including Cushing’s disease, I’ve been exhausted lately. I have to take several naps a day just to make it through, and most of the time I’m just hoping to be able to check off everything on my to-do list.

Because I’ve been stuck at home feeling too sad to function, the days started to merge together. I hadn’t been doing anything to keep myself sane.

To combat these feelings, I’ve been searching for fun and inexpensive at-home activities to keep my spirits up. They must be low energy, relaxing, and require no long-term commitment, yet still be engaging enough to keep me interested. Following are some of the ideas I came up with.

Friendship bouquets

A friend of mine gave me this idea when she mentioned places where you can create art that combines birth flowers. Usually one does this for family members, but I’m getting together with a few friends to paint our birth flowers into a mini-bouquet to hang in our apartments. I love this idea because it’s super cute, but it also gives you art to hang that will remind you of your friends.

These low-impact activities help me stay active with Cushing’s disease

DIY bracelet kit

Another friend recently sent me a care package that was one of the most heartwarming things I’ve ever gotten. It was really personal and contained a DIY bracelet-making kit. I love kits like this because they require zero thinking. I don’t have to remember what I need to do a craft, because it’s all right there. We’re planning to get together to make them, which is great because we’ll have a little reminder on our wrist about how much we care about each other.

Music sharing

There are so many ways to do this. One way is to post on social media asking people for songs. If you’re looking for a more interactive way to do it, reach out to friends directly and ask them to send a song. People get super excited to share their music with you, and you might just discover your next favorite song.

New games

Video games sometimes get a bad rap because they can be so time-consuming and expensive, but they’re a fantastic way to spend your time and keep your brain moving. There are tons of places where you can get cheap games (or even free ones) to play either by yourself or online with friends. It’s a great way to connect with people when you’re stuck at home.

If you’re looking for a cool, inexpensive game, I’d recommend Flipping Death. It’s $1.99, is super fun (and sarcastic), and has a unique art style. The game is long enough to keep you busy, but not very difficult to understand.

Mocktails

I can’t drink alcohol anymore due to health reasons and because it conflicts with my medications. In general, I don’t miss it, but occasionally I love the idea of having a fancy drink. I have to take my medications four times a day, and having the same drinks gets boring. Alcohol-free mocktails are a great way to spice up your day. You can even look up mocktails related to your illness by searching for things like “anti-inflammatory mocktails” or “gut health mocktails.”

Everyday excitement

My partner and I do tiny things throughout the day to make it a little better. We have a whiteboard on the fridge to write each other notes. We’ll also draw pictures or leave little puzzles for the other person to figure out. It’s so exciting to wake up to a new puzzle. We’ll also have tea together in the morning.

Managing my health can be all-consuming. Having new activities to do at home helps make the days more interesting and keeps me feeling more like myself.

Can you recommend other fun activities? Please share in the comments below. You can also follow my journey more closely on TikTok or YouTube.

Note: Cushing’s Disease News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Cushing’s Disease News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to Cushing’s.

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About the Author

Noura Costany Noura Costany (they/them) is a writer from Queens, New York. They were originally diagnosed with cyclical Cushing’s disease in 2020, and their pituitary adenoma recurrence was confirmed in 2022. Noura is hoping the column "Chronically Yours" will help spread the word about Cyclical Cushing’s Disease, create an online community for those struggling with chronic illnesses, and bring light to inequality that is often overlooked in healthcare systems.