For the past several years, more than half of the world has been sitting idly, desperately hoping that the pandemic and the subsequent lockdowns come to an end. While they have prevented an increase in the rise of the cases, social restrictions have also made boredom a pretty common problem. On any given day, you’ll find your elders sitting, watching the news while your young ones spend hours upon hours either scrolling through YouTube or binge-watching Netflix.

While there’s no denying that a lockdown can easily pin you down, there is still a lot that you can do to enjoy your time and increase your productivity. Believe it or not, all it takes is a few simple tasks that will motivate you to seize the day.

Here’s a list of things you can try to kick boredom to the curb.

1. Clean out Your Phone

You might spend hours and hours using your phone but you probably haven’t noticed just how much dirt and germs are present on your handheld device. And we’re not even talking about the junk files that are clogging up your smartphone’s internet memory. One way to become more productive is to simply pick up your phone and clean it with some rubbing alcohol before clearing all of the unwanted junk from your phone's memory, including unwanted media content and rarely-used applications.

Pexels | Your phone will thank you and you’ll get all this free space

2. Recreate Your Favorite Dish

We all have our favorite dishes at restaurants that we love. Well, why not put those taste buds to use and recreate this dish at your home all by yourself? You might not find the recipe online but that’s the best part–after all, having an exact recipe would be a little too easy and boring, wouldn’t it?

Pexels | Just you making magic in the kitchen

3. Try Out a New Hobby

Have you been binging on those origami videos and thinking to yourself that that is something you might want to do as well? If that’s the case, then what are you waiting for? In the words of Shia LaBeouf, just do it. Now is a better time than any other to put on those YouTube videos and explore your new hobbies.

4. Treat Yourself to a Manicure

You don’t have to indulge yourself in high-intensity activities–you can also opt for something relaxing and calming such as a manicure. You can either schlep over to a nearby salon or just do it at home by yourself. You’ll not only enjoy the process but you’ll also end up with the accomplishment of having soft and pretty hands.

5. Try Baking

Baking is a fun activity that many claim can be therapeutic as well. So why not put these claims to the test and bake something? You’ll either have a lot of fun making something delicious or, worst-case scenario, you’ll end up laughing at your own failed creation.

Pexels | It is a win-win situation, tbh

Ready to increase your productivity and chase the boredom away? We sure are!