If you’re like me, having a spare five minutes is like winning the lottery. While I feel lucky to have such a busy and fulfilling life, it’s always nice to get some extra time to myself.
Everyone’s different, but if you want to be more productive in your personal time, here are a few things you can do
Practice Meditation
There are many benefits of meditation including stress reduction, improved sleep, and increased self-awareness. While there are many apps in the app store that can help guide your meditation practice, most of them cost money.
I found this app called Headspace which is free and has guided meditations for beginners and even more advanced users.
Exercise
One of the best things you can do for your body is exercise! If you are short on time or don’t want to go to the gym, we recommend checking out a Youtube channel called Fitness Blender where they have a variety of workouts and programs to choose from.
Learn a new skill
Take a course in the area you want to learn more about and complete it by the end of the day. With so many free online courses available, there’s no reason not to expand your knowledge in an area that interests you.
Sign up to volunteer in your community
Giving back is one of the most rewarding things you can do with your free time. If you don’t know where to start, contact the local United Way. They will help you find opportunities that are right for you.
Start a blog or website
Taking some time each day to focus on writing can help you launch a blog that gets noticed by others in your industry. Publishing content consistently will drive traffic to your site, which could lead to increased profits for your business over time.
Read a good book
Reading a good book not only helps you escape for a bit and unwind, but it also helps you learn about new ideas and perspectives.
There’s nothing wrong with reading fiction, but if you want to get something out of your reading that will help you feel productive outside of the momentary escape from reality, pick up a non-fiction book instead.
Do home organization
If you are looking for a productive way to spend your free time, then get started on organizing your home. You can begin by cleaning and putting things away, then move to organize the space in a more efficient way.
Make sure you have adequate storage to keep everything in its places, such as baskets and bins. Having a place for everything makes it easier to keep your home tidy and clutter-free, which will help you use your time wisely and feel accomplished once you’ve finished.
Learn a new hobby
Start a hobby that is relaxing, stimulating, or both. Learning something new will help you build skills, expand your mind and develop an interest that will be useful for years to come.
Hobbies like painting and drawing can be good for stress relief while learning guitar or piano is a great way to express yourself creatively. Whatever you choose, having a hobby can make any free time productive and fulfilling.
Go crafty
Crafting is another activity that can be productive in multiple ways. Some crafts are functional, like sewing and knitting, while others are creative like making jewelry or paintings.
Getting crafty is another way of expressing yourself creatively and allowing yourself to relax at the same time; it’s also fun.
Cook or bake
If you want to stay in, make something delicious. With some basic kitchen supplies, a few ingredients, and a little creativity, you can whip up some tasty meals that will satisfy your cravings.
Watch a movie
This is the perfect way to relax. Grab your favorite snacks and have a movie marathon with your family or roommates. Spend the day on the couch watching your favorite movies or shows.
Go walking
This is a great way to get out of the house while still being safe. Walking around your neighborhood is a great way to get fresh air and exercise, especially if you’re stuck inside most of the time.
Watching movies
Watching movies can be an excellent way to entertain yourself when you don’t know what else to do with yourself. The internet is full of great films that are available for free – so why not check them out?
Gardening
This may seem like an odd way to spend your free time, but gardening is more than just planting flowers and vegetables.
It has been connected to lower stress levels, reduced depression and anxiety, and improved moods. People who garden feel happier and healthier overall.
Brainstorm Ideas
Is there something that you want to accomplish but haven’t been able to yet? Whether it’s a business venture, a personal project, or something else, spend some time brainstorming ideas for how you can achieve your goals.
Research
Whether your goal is to start a new business or improve an existing one, making the most of your free time involves doing research. There are many ways in which this can be done, and any one of them could be beneficial for your long-term success.
Volunteer and serve
Volunteering is a great way to give back and relieve stress. But more importantly, it helps you build skills that can be applied to your professional life.
For example, if you work in the hospitality industry, volunteering at a soup kitchen will help you hone your customer service skills and learn how to handle difficult personalities.
The same principle applies to any other profession. Volunteering allows you to practice your skills, show leadership and responsibility, and gain experience.
Find an additional source of income
If you’re struggling financially or just want a little extra cash at the end of the month, finding an additional stream of income is a great way to use your free time productively.
An additional income stream can come from the comfort of your own home or a part-time job in the evenings.
If you have a little time on the weekends, try getting a seasonal job as well for even more income! Any extra money that comes in every month can be put towards bills or investments.
Focus on your goals
It doesn’t matter if you want to travel after graduation or start your own business. Having goals will keep you motivated and help you make the most of your time in college.
Regardless of what you decide, don’t let yourself get distracted by the latest trends or fads. Instead, focus on what matters most to you and stay committed until the very end.
Clean up your inbox
You already spend way too much time in front of your inbox, so why not use some of that time to get it under control? Organize those unread emails into folders, delete the junk and unsubscribe from newsletters you never read.
By the end of your downtime, you’ll be looking at a much cleaner inbox and you may even have more space on your hard drive.
