5 Ways to Be Productive When You're Snowed In

by Mary Rose

While Winter Storm Fern may be gone, the snow and cold temperatures she left in her wake are here to stay a while longer. With the weather report staying below freezing, it seems like a great time to snuggle up underneath some blankets with the heat cranked up. Some may be working from home or having remote instruction, like I have. However, others may be staying horizontal, streaming yet another episode of their favorite show or YouTube channel.

While it’s good to soak up the mundane moments of life, the long stretches of the Arctic Circle coming to your hometown can make you stir-crazy. After a while, the hunt to do something productive in the confines of home can seem difficult. So, here are five simple activities to say you did more than just doomscroll and bed-rot during the cold snap! 

1. Watch, Read, or Listen to Something Educational: 

Instead of using your new-found free time to watch scripted reality TV or reading the same, worn-out tropes, you can expand your mind instead. For those who don’t like to read, watching a documentary or a short lesson from an educational YouTube video is an easy way to expand your mind. Many streaming services offer documentaries and educational shows. And believe it or not, not all of them are related to true crime! YouTube can also be a great library to find a short video on almost any topic you’re interested in. Some of my channel recommendations would be Curious Muse, BBC Ideas, and TED-Ed. 

For those who prefer to learn by reading, there are multiple avenues you can take to expand your knowledge. Many acclaimed magazines such as National Geographic, Forbes, and Reader’s Digest allow users to read a couple of their articles for free before using a paywall. It’s easy to go to their websites and pick an article of interest to you!  

If you don’t feel like watching or reading, listening is another option. With the recent rise in podcasts and audiobooks, there are many options to choose from. Both can be found on multiple listening platforms. Some apps such as Spotify feature both for their premium users. Both audiobooks and podcasts cover many topics. For example, the podcast Stuff You Should Know posts multiple episodes per week, all covering different content.

2. Tease Your Brain: 

A fun way to be productive is to do something to challenge your brain. These could be physical or online. For example, every winter break, my mother and I do jigsaw puzzles on snowy days. Not only do they keep you busy, they're also good for your brain health. According to the Baylor College of Medicine, jigsaw puzzles help with your cognitive brain function! 

Other brainteasers can help, too. Riddles or games can also help the brain and get you thinking about something other than the nasty weather outside. If you like online games, there are websites like Lumosity, which are designed to help train your brain. 

3. Organize A Space: 

Get a jump on spring cleaning by getting organized! You don’t have to go through your whole house, apartment, or dorm room to accomplish this. Instead, you can pick a small, manageable space, such as a desk, closet, or even a bookshelf. Just decluttering one small area can be a rewarding achievement! 

4. Find or Practice an Indoor Hobby: 

While you have the time, why not pursue or discover something you like to do? While some hobbies may be confined to what you have on hand, it’s a good time to be creative and do something enjoyable other than watching people dance on TikTok. Some examples could be writing, drawing, or crocheting. If you’re stumped on what hobby to do, YouTube is a great resource for how-to videos! 

5. Think of Warmer Weather: 

It’s okay to think of a warmer time, and the warmer times to come! If you’re itching to do something other than hoping for the snow to melt, you can think about what to do after it does. To prepare for higher temperatures, you can set goals or create a vision board for yourself. These activities give you an outline of what you want to accomplish later on, even if they’re not attainable right now.