image of a free-standing hammock under an awning

Staying at home can be an opportunity to catch up on hobbies or reconnect with yourself. You can also use the time to upgrade your living space, appliances, and home theatre to create your own little slice of paradise. Here are a few things I like to do when I get some one-on-one time with my home and myself.

Turn your home into a paradise

image of a hot tub on a patio

If you want the most out of staying at home, that means doing some prep work. You’re going to have to pamper your space a little before it can pamper you.

The first thing I do is make sure my chores are done and out of the way. Nothing ruins your de-stressing time more than running out of clean laundry. Make sure all your big chores and obligations are squared away so that you can focus on you.

image of a woman lying down in a free-standing hammock

Next, you’ll need to make sure your home is set up for relaxation, whatever that means for you. Want to sploot out on your deck and not move for hours? Make your outdoor space a tropical paradise with the perfect patio set, hammock, or even a pool or hot tub for your yard. Or if adventure and activity is more your style, make sure you have whatever outdoor gear you need for a safe, relaxing, local adventure, whether it’s boating, hiking, or more.

image of a woman standing with a kayak in front of a lake

And of course, you’ll have to think about what you want to eat while you’re at home. Stock up on some of your favourite snacks and drinks, and plan a few simple meals that are time savers yet nutritious. This may call for a new kitchen appliance like a blender or panini grill. Modern appliances like Instant Pots, Keurigs, and iRobot vacuums are the closest thing most regular folks will get to in-home room service!

Stay entertained with streaming and games

image of woman playing an Oculus VR game

How can you keep yourself from getting bored? Don’t worry—with the right setup, you can have access to enough entertainment options to fill any amount of home time.

If you don’t already have one, you might want to invest in a streaming device, like a media streamer or smart TV. A smart TV and a good internet connection will give you quick and easy access to nearly any streaming service, such as Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime, YouTube, and more. And if a new TV isn’t in the cards, a media streamer like Chromecast, Roku, or Fire Stick can inexpensively turn any TV into a smart TV. With a streaming device, the options are endless, which is exactly what you need while relaxing at home.

image of a TV screen displaying Apple TV programs with the Apple TV devices nearby

If you prefer your entertainment to be a bit more interactive, staying at home is a great opportunity to get caught up on your gaming. If you had your eye on a console or a new gaming release, this is the perfect time to take the plunge. And if you’re hanging with family, an old fashioned board game is a great way to have fun, create memories, and foster closeness with your loved ones.

image of the board from the Settlers of Catan board game

Or if you’re looking for something a bit more relaxing, consider picking up an eReader to get caught up on your favourite books. I know I have trouble finding time in my schedule for reading, and staying at home gives you tons of time to get through those titles. An eReader can save you space and money, and your local library might even have downloadable ebooks available online for free.

Relax and unwind with sleep, massage, and aromatherapy

image of woman sitting next to an aromatherapy diffuser

Keeping entertained is all well and good, but if you’re like me, the number one thing you want on your time off is to relax.

One of the best ways to relax and recharge is to catch up on your sleep. If you plan to catch a lot of Z’s while staying at home, you might consider improving your bedroom with a more comfortable mattress, or just new pillows and sheets. You could also take a look at some cool sleep tech like a sleep monitor or white noise machine that make the whole room more conducive to resting.

image of man sleeping while wearing a sleep tech eye mask

Another great way to unwind at home is to treat yourself to a mini-spa day. Release your built-up tension with massagers and aromatherapy diffusers. Massage and aromatherapy can have amazing benefits such as reducing stress and boosting mood. To really get into the spirit, I like to stock up on my favourite aromatherapy products and have a really long bubble bath.

The most important thing to keep in mind during any time off at home is that it’s about you. Staying at home is your chance to pamper yourself in the ways you deserve. Think about what’s most important to you. If this includes adding something new to your home, then you can check out Best Buy’s selection of patio furniture, kitchen appliances, and gaming gear to help make it happen.

Maria Ganger
As a card-carrying 90’s kid, I’m a lifelong tech enthusiast and Pokémon fan. I’m also on the eCommerce team at Best Buy Canada. I love shopping and hunting down the perfect product, whether it’s tech, fashion, cookware, or beyond. When I’m not blogging, you can find me listening to true crime podcasts, relaxing with my Switch, or kicking butt at the kickboxing gym.