Without getting into the political underpinnings of it all – which there are seemingly a plethora of – it can be said without trepidation that the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and its ramifications aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. From federal and local government agencies constantly flip-flopping on the subject of social rollbacks to the new dilemma concerning what to do with school kids in the fall, it’s clear we have to continue figuring out ways to keep ourselves, and our families, occupied during this most unstable of times.

Woodland Hills Magazine to the rescue! We have assembled, here in this article, our favorite six ways to fight boredom during this on again/off again quarantine, and from learning how to paint to practicing meditation and yoga, we are certain that you’ll find something that tickles your inner fancy.

“Marie Kondo” Your House

You may not have heard of her, but celebrity “tidying expert” and New York Times bestselling author Marie Kondo has become renowned for transforming homes into peaceful sanctuaries. During the ongoing COVID-19 lockdown, you can adhere to some of these approaches while turning your attention to parts of your home that may have been neglected for years. Among Ms. Kondo’s recommendations are taming clutter, assigning a place for everything, bringing the outside in by allowing plenty of natural light and air to enter every day, purifying your home through fresh air and natural incense, adding some cozy features to every room to make them more warm and welcoming and making tidying fun for the whole family.

Learn How to Paint 

From cooking to calligraphy, people everywhere stuck at home are finding new space for creativity, and this definitely includes painting. Since the outbreak of COVID-19, many are creating art as a way of expressing themselves and staying socially connected while keeping physical distance. Consider learning the art form of the brush during this isolation time, starting with creating a specific space for you and the kids to unleash your imagination and make art. Kids can learn some of the best techniques by looking closely at select masterpieces painted by experts; one mom sheltering-in-place in San Francisco that we spoke with, in fact, uses book covers to inspire her toddler, giving him a head start by outlining some of the major shapes before letting him interpret the book covers of classics like Eric Carle’s The Hungry Caterpillar. Some other recommendations include investing time in a long-term project, turning old artwork into a collage, exploring new art tools, taking advantage of the surge of art prompts online and looking at art as an extension of in-home schooling.

Join a Virtual Concert

 As more festivals, performances and concerts are canceled due to the coronavirus shutdown, musicians of all shapes and sizes are taking to social and streaming platforms to play live for their fans. Check in with a service such as NPR Music and look for lists of live audio and video streams from around the world, categorized by date and genre, with links out to streaming platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Some will require registration or a subscription, but most will be free, often including digital “tip jars” and opportunities to directly support artists by buying music and merchandise.

Visit Museums All Over the World – From Your Living Room

While you’re stuck at home, there are a number of famous museums which offer virtual tours you can take on your couch. According to Fast Company, Google Arts and Culture teamed up with over 2500 museums and galleries around the world to bring anyone and everyone virtual tours and online exhibits of some of the most famous global art venues. The Google Arts and Culture collection includes the British Museum in London, the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, the Guggenheim in New York City and literally hundreds of more places where you can gain knowledge about art, history and science.

Bake Your Heart Out

Cooking, one of life’s most basic chores for many, has suddenly become a creative outlet and source of comfort for a whole new audience of the housebound. On social media, it can seem as if everyone is spending more time in the kitchen, whether to bake banana bread or to cultivate a sourdough starter with a cheeky name like “Jane Dough;” but with all this newfound time in self-quarantine, perhaps you should be asking yourself, “Why don’t I learn how to cook and bake…and eat some delicious food in the process?” If you’re just getting your feet wet in the kitchen, consider easy-to-make beginner recipes for dishes like scrambled eggs, brownies and mashed potatoes.

Practice Meditating and Yoga 

COVID-19 has caused increased rates of isolation and unemployment, which has taken a significant psychological toll, and health experts are concerned about these potential effects – especially as the nation goes through this so-called second wave of the pandemic, one that is bringing with it overwhelming feelings of stress and anxiety. If you can relate, we recommend taking proactive steps, and one of the most important is taking control of your mental and physical health through the art of yoga and meditation. Both exercise and mindfulness meditation have been shown to help reduce feelings of anxiety, and activities such as yoga are the perfect solution, as this stress-reduction technique has proven to increase physical activity, inspire a healthier diet, improve sleep quality and more.

If you haven’t tried any of these activities, there’s no better time than the present. By learning new things and broadening your horizons, you will benefit from a “healthy distraction,” and it’s our hope that this article serves as an excellent guide to get you started.