If you are one of the thousands of people who have been asked to quarantine during the Coronavirus outbreak, you have most likely just found yourself with a drastically new way of life. Most people are not going out as much as you used to. Unless you need something from the store, you are probably staying in. Restaurants are closed. Gyms, movie theaters, parks, and many non-essential stores aren’t open for business like they once were. In other words, you are stuck.

“The worst part about quarantine is that most of the hobbies I like to do are outside my house and I can’t leave,” junior Jamie Runk said.

The best part is that you can not pick a wrong hobby. At the end of the day learning and completing an activity that’s new and challenging gives you a sense of mastery, which improves your self-esteem. 

“I have been learning how to skateboard better while in quarantine, I learned how to make homemade ice cream, and I also biked 8 miles which is a new record for me,” junior Sean Anton said.

While some people enjoy their outside hobbies, others like staying inside more. Boys and some girls have been enjoying video games. Online games are perfect for quarantine because you can talk to your friends and play some games. Senior Quinn Kelley has been playing video games to pass the time during quarantine.

“I love playing video games. I play NBA 2K the most during quarantine because it’s an online game that you can play with all your friends,” Kelley explained.

Cooking and baking caught freshman Matthew Fjestad’s eye while in quarantine. He cooks for his family every night and likes to make different types of desserts to go with the dinner. Fjestad likes to make cookies the most.

“I’ve gained a new appreciation for cooking, I have been getting better at the easy parts of cooking,” Fjstead explained.

 Immersing yourself in a new hobby is a proven boon to mental health and stress reduction, and with most of us spending our days cooped up inside, it has never been more important to prioritize your well-being.