Are you feeling stuck in a cycle of boredom and guilt, spending hours in bed but wishing you could be more productive? It’s easy to fall into a slump, especially when there’s nothing urgent pushing you to get up. But the good news is, you don’t need an elaborate plan to shake off that feeling, you just need a little motivation and the right ideas to get started. To help you break free from that unproductive rut, here are 18 productive things you can do at home.
Whether it’s tidying up your space, trying out a new hobby, or even making time to catch up with friends, these activities will help you reclaim your day and feel accomplished. No matter your mood, there’s something on this list to boost your energy, lift your spirits, and make your time at home more fulfilling.
Productive Things to do at Home
1. Set a Timer to Make Cleaning Easier
One simple trick that has helped me be more productive at home is setting a timer whenever I don’t feel like cleaning but know I need to. Sometimes, I’ll set a short five minute timer for a quick speed clean, tidying up as much as I can in that time. Other times, I’ll go for a longer session, like 30 minutes or even an hour.
For me, it’s a psychological trick. Knowing that I only have to clean for a set amount of time makes it feel less overwhelming. My brain registers it as a small, manageable task rather than an endless chore. And more often than not, once I start, I end up going beyond the timer because the hardest part was just getting started. If you struggle with motivation, try this method! It might just help you get things done without feeling overwhelmed.
2. Have an at Home Spa Day
Have an at home spa day to give yourself a full self care reset. From doing your nails, to a face mask, and full body stretches, this is a great way to pamper yourself right at home. To make it extra special, prepare a little snack plate with some yummy snacks and sip a drink from a fancy glass to elevate the experience.
RELATED: How to Have a Luxurious At-Home Spa Day
3. Take an Everything Shower
Building off the idea of an at home spa day, another super popular self care trend is the everything shower. If you’ve never heard of it, an everything shower is an extended all-in-one shower routine, where you take care of all your beauty maintenance all at once.
This could mean washing and deep conditioning your hair, shaving, exfoliating with a body scrub, and even applying a face mask. Overall, the goal of an “everything shower” is to step out feeling completely refreshed, rejuvenated, and like a brand new person.
4. Recreate a Recipe
Find a recipe that looks delicious and try making it at home. It’s even better if you already have most of the ingredients on hand, so you don’t have to make a special trip to the store. Plus, this is a great way to discover new dishes and make the most of your existing groceries.
5. Organize Your Closet
Take some time to organize your closet by arranging your clothes in a way that makes getting dressed easier. Move the pieces you wear most often to the front and push the ones you rarely reach for toward the back. If you have off-season clothes taking up space, store them away to keep your closet more functional.
This is also a great opportunity to declutter. Go through your clothes and set aside anything you no longer wear. You can donate, sell, or repurpose those items, making room for pieces you truly love and use.
6. Invite Friends Over
Spending quality time with friends doesn’t have to mean going out and spending a lot of money. Sometimes, a cozy night-in is even better! Instead of dealing with the hassle of restaurants or pricey activities, invite your friends over for a laid-back hangout where everyone can relax and just enjoy each other’s company.
You can keep it super casual, just chatting, watching TV, or ordering takeout. Or, you can make it more intentional with a game night, movie night, or even a small themed party.
7. Call a Friend or Family Member
With the busyness of daily life, it’s easy to lose touch with people we care about. If there’s someone you haven’t heard from in a while, take a moment to give them a call. It’s a simple yet intentional way to check in, catch up, and see how they’re doing.
Whether it’s a quick chat or a long conversation, reconnecting with a friend or family member can brighten both of your days. Plus, it’s a great way to strengthen relationships and remind your loved ones that you’re thinking of them.
Productive Things to do at Home When Bored
8. Follow Along to a YouTube Exercise Video
Whether it’s a fun dance or an intense HIT workout session, following along to a YouTube exercise video is a great way to stay active at home. It’s like having a virtual workout buddy, making the whole process feel more engaging and enjoyable.
What I love most about YouTube workouts is the variety. There’s something for every fitness level and mood. Plus, seeing the trainer is super motivating, and helps me to push through and actually enjoy the workout.
9. Clean Your Makeup Brushes
If you wear makeup regularly, consider this your sign to clean your makeup brushes. It’s a simple task that makes a huge difference in both your skin and makeup application. All you need is a bar of soap or even some dish soap to wash away built-up product, oils, and bacteria.
Personally, I notice a big difference when I use clean brushes. My makeup goes on smoother, feels lighter, and looks more even. Plus, keeping your brushes clean can help prevent breakouts, so it’s definitely worth taking a few minutes to do.
10. Color or Paint
If you’re in the mood for a low energy activity at home, consider coloring or painting. You can grab some crayons, colored pencils, or markers and work on a coloring sheet. Or pull out your paints and canvas to create your own masterpiece. For an extra fun touch, follow along with a painting tutorial. Like a Bob Ross video, to make the experience even more enjoyable and relaxing.
11. Review Your Expenses and Budget
Another great productive thing to do at home is reviewing your expenses and budgets. This is especially helpful if you’re trying to save money or get a better understanding of where your money goes. Once you have a clearer picture, you can use this information to adjust your budget for the next month. And allocate more or less money to different areas such as savings, going out to eat, bills, and variable expenses.
RELATED: How to Manage Your Money in Your 20s
12. Create Goals and Plans
Continuing on the topic of goals and reviewing things, being at home is a great time to create goals and plans for the upcoming month. While it’s common to make big goals and resolutions at the start of the year, breaking them down into monthly or even weekly milestones makes them more manageable. By reviewing and setting goals that align with your larger objectives, you can create a clear action plan that makes reaching those goals feel more achievable.
13. Read a Book
In a world dominated by videos and images, it’s easy to drift away from reading books. Personally, I’ve noticed that after spending so much time watching videos, reading can feel like a really difficult activity. But what I’m coming to terms with, is that reading is essential for keeping our brains healthy, improving focus, and helping us to concentrate for longer periods.
Plus, it’s a great way to escape into a good story. Whether you’re into nonfiction, fiction, romance, drama, or comedy, finding a book that interests you can be a refreshing change. It might take a little time to adjust to reading again, especially since we’re so used to constant overstimulation. But once you push past that initial struggle, you’ll likely fall in love with the process of reading and the worlds you can get lost in.
Fun Productive Things to do at Home
14. Go Outside
When you’re feeling tired of being inside the house, step outside and enjoy some fresh air and sunshine. You can take a walk around your neighborhood, visit a nearby park, or just sit in your backyard or balcony. Spending time outdoors and getting some vitamin D can help boost your mood and improve your productivity levels.
15. Find a Low Energy Hobby
On days when you’re tired but still want to engage in a hobby or activity, consider finding a low energy option. These activities are stimulating but don’t require much effort. Whether it’s playing Sudoku, coloring, or something else, check out the article below for some ideas on lazy hobbies that don’t require much energy.
RELATED: Lazy Hobbies That I’m Absolutely Loving and You Will Too!
16. Have a Group Video Call with Friends/Family to Catch Up
My friends and I love having group video calls because there’s something special about connecting with multiple people at once (and it’s super convenient!).
It’s a great way to catch up, chat about random things, and just enjoy each other’s company, especially when we’re unable to hangout in person.
17. Learn Something New
Whether it’s learning a new language, understanding car maintenance, exploring gardening, or mastering video editing, there’s so much value in being a lifelong learner. Find a topic or skill that interests you, or something you’ve always wanted to learn, and dive into it.
18. Study/Do Homework
If you’re a student, you know that there’s always something to study for. Whether it’s preparing for an exam, completing a homework assignment, or simply deepening your understanding of a topic. One of the most productive things you can do at home is to dedicate time to studying.
