Fun Things to Do When You're Sick in Bed: Calm, Cozy, and Actually Enjoyable
Feeling stuck in bed and out of ideas? Here are 20 fun things to do when you're sick in bed; because rest, recovery, and a little fun can go hand in hand.
It's been days since you fell sick, unable to work or even get out of bed. You've exhausted all the usual things: read a book, watched a show, napped again. Twice. You even watched a movie you don't remember the name of. You're bored to death. So, in your hazy state, you started searching fun things to do when you're sick in bed and came across some surprisingly good suggestions. If you're in the same fuzzy, sniffling boat, this one's for you.
Fun Things to Do When Sick at Home
Being stuck in bed doesn’t mean you have to suffer in boredom. While it’s important to sleep, hydrate, and take your meds, doing something fun and low-effort can actually help you recover faster. Little sparks of joy and gentle distractions can lift your spirits without taxing your body. Whether it’s something cozy, creative, or just mildly entertaining, there are fun things to do when you’re sick that can make the hours feel lighter.
1.Listen to an Audiobook:
Let someone tell you a story while you rest. Eyes closed, blankets on, and your imagination can wander. It’s like reading without the effort; perfect when your energy is on the floor and your brain feels foggy. Audiobooks are especially handy when you can’t keep your eyes open or focus well on text. Choose something immersive and soothing, and let the narrator’s voice carry you away while you rest and recover.
2. Try a Breathing App or Guided Meditation:
Focused breathing calms your nervous system and promotes deeper rest. A ten-minute session can ease tension, slow your thoughts, and even help you doze off again. Breathing apps or guided meditations help you regain control over anxious thoughts and bring a sense of stillness. It’s a low-effort way to regulate stress and support your healing process.
3. Start a Simple Craft:
Whether it’s colouring, knitting, or simple embroidery, doing something with your hands is soothing and meditative. You don’t need to finish, just enjoy the act of creating. Choose something low-effort that you can do from bed, like a small crochet project or colouring in an adult colouring book. It’s a gentle way to keep your hands busy and your mind quietly focused.
4. Play Easy Games on Your Phone or Laptop:
Go for light, no-pressure games like Solitaire, 2048, or word games. They offer soft mental stimulation without draining your precious energy levels. These fun things to do when you're sick are especially helpful when your body wants rest but your mind is bored. Games like Solitaire Home Story are perfect for passing the time; no intense reflexes or loud effects, just quiet entertainment at your pace.
5. Write a Journal Entry or Sick Day Poem:
Put your thoughts on paper; even if it’s gibberish. Venting, reflecting, or being silly in writing is oddly therapeutic. It can make you feel more grounded, and even a few lines about how you’re feeling can help process the boredom or frustration of being stuck in bed. Journaling doesn’t need to be profound, it just needs to be yours.
6. Read a Comfort Book:
Choose something you’ve read before or a gentle story that won’t ask too much of you. Familiar stories or feel-good fiction can bring comfort, a sense of safety, and even a smile when you're not feeling your best. Curl up with a light romance, a classic children’s tale, or a well-loved fantasy and let it ease you through the hours with warmth and ease.
7. Watch a Documentary Series:
Education without effort. Nature, history, or science documentaries can keep your mind engaged without the emotional load of a drama. Pick something slow-paced and visually soothing, like a David Attenborough series or a calming deep-sea exploration. Let your brain enjoy some gentle learning while your body takes a well-deserved break.
8. Take a Slow Virtual Tour:
Google Arts & Culture lets you roam museums, gardens, or even the ISS; all from your bed. Stroll through the Louvre, gaze at Van Gogh’s brushstrokes, or virtually explore Versailles; all with a few gentle taps. It’s a quiet, curious way to lift your mood and shift your mental scenery.
9. Call a Friend (or Voice Note Them):
A quick chat can lift your spirits and help you feel less isolated. Even hearing a friend’s voice can brighten the sick-day fog. You don’t need a full conversation, just a check-in or a funny voice note can make a big difference and remind you you’re not alone.
10. Make a Playlist of Songs You Loved at 14:
Dive into teenage nostalgia. Whether it’s emo ballads or bubblegum pop, it’s an instant emotional time machine. Rediscovering the songs that defined your adolescence can flood your brain with happy memories. Music is a powerful emotional tool, and sometimes those old tracks hit differently when you’re under the weather. Let the beats and lyrics from your past remind you of simpler times and lift your spirits.
11. Sip Herbal Tea and Stare Dramatically Out the Window:
Channel your inner Victorian poet. Let the steam soothe your throat and enjoy being melodramatic for once. Wrap your hands around a warm mug, sigh dramatically, and pretend you're in a cinematic masterpiece. A quiet, comforting act that invites a moment of calm reflection, or at least a theatrical break from boredom.
12. Organise Photos on Your Phone:
Clear out those old screenshots, blurry takes, and accidental pocket shots. Revisiting your photo gallery is a great way to relive good memories and maybe rediscover forgotten gems. Creating albums or tidying your camera roll brings a surprising sense of order and satisfaction, and it’s something you can do entirely from under your duvet.
13. Try ASMR or White Noise Videos:
Perfect for calming the nervous system and helping you drift off for a much-needed nap. Whether it’s tapping sounds, whispers, ocean waves, or ambient noise, these sounds soothe anxiety, quiet the mind, and promote restful healing. Let yourself zone out with your headphones on and relax into a moment of peace.
14. Create a Pinterest Mood Board:
Dream up future travels, bedroom makeovers, or seasonal wardrobes from the comfort of your bed. Pinterest is perfect for when you're too tired to move but still want to feel inspired. Whether it's designing your dream home, planning outfits for post-recovery adventures, or curating a visual diary of soothing colours and ideas, this simple creative act can lift your mood and help you imagine brighter days ahead.
15. Watch Old Sitcoms or Comfort Shows:
Keep it light, funny, and familiar; nothing that demands too much emotion or attention. Rewatching favourites like Friends, Parks and Recreation, or The Office offers easy laughs and cosy nostalgia. These shows require minimal focus and can play in the background as you doze or sip tea, offering warmth and good vibes without the intensity of new storylines.
16. Do a Gentle Stretch in Bed:
Ease your aches with light movement; no need to get up, just loosen things up where you are. Gently roll your shoulders, stretch your legs, flex your feet, and reach your arms overhead. It improves circulation, reduces tension, and reminds your body that it’s still on your side. Stretching can be incredibly grounding when you’re feeling weak or sore.
17. Play a Brain Teaser or Puzzle Game:
Light mental stimulation helps keep boredom at bay without exhausting you. Try crosswords, word searches, sudoku, or logic puzzles. These activities nudge your brain into gear just enough to feel engaged while still being restful. Puzzle games online or on your phone are easy to start and stop whenever you need a nap or a tea break.
18. Daydream and Let Your Mind Wander:
Sometimes the best activity is simply allowing your thoughts to drift. Close your eyes and imagine your dream vacation, your perfect day, or a place you’ve always wanted to visit. Let your imagination wander freely without pressure or purpose; it’s a soft, healing form of escapism that requires no energy and can help reduce stress while boosting your mood.
19. Write a Letter to Your Future Self:
Or to a pet, or even a fictional character. Pour your thoughts onto the page: hopes, dreams, current frustrations. It’s surprisingly cathartic and gives you a safe space to reflect, vent, or laugh. Later, rereading it will feel like opening a time capsule from this oddly foggy, fuzzy chapter of your life.
20. Rearrange Something Small on Your Nightstand:
A tiny bit of order in your immediate space can make you feel more in control. Whether it’s straightening your books, lining up your lotions, or adding a trinket, it’s a mini refresh for your environment and your mind. When you’re too sick to tidy the whole room, a five-minute touch-up in your reach zone can make the space feel calmer and more yours.
Remember, even tiny activities matter when you're under the weather. These things to do while you are sick aren't about productivity; they’re about peace.
Why Solitaire Home Story Is the Perfect Sick-Day Companion
When you’re feeling low and tired, and everything feels like too much effort, Solitaire Home Story offers the perfect kind of soft, cozy distraction. It’s calming, never demanding, and just engaging enough to keep your mind off the thermometer.
With no log-ins, no downloads, and no ads, you can just click and start playing right in your browser. The classic card mechanics combined with a light renovation story are a welcome dose of charm when you’re stuck in bed. You play as Alice, an architect rebuilding her family ranch, and the soothing visuals and short levels help pass time without overwhelming you.
During a long day in bed, you can play several times between naps or other restful activities; each level offering a small burst of variety and accomplishment. With Alice and her quirky cast of characters keeping you company, it’s almost impossible to feel completely alone or bored. Every chapter adds a soft rhythm to the day and makes being stuck in bed just a little more bearable.
So if you’re browsing fun things to do when you're sick, Solitaire Home Story might just be your ideal bedside buddy. Click in, play a few levels, and let the hours pass a little more sweetly.