Indoor Things to Do on a Rainy Day: 12 Fresh Ideas to Boost Your Mood

As the sky turns grey more often and the weather cools off, we’re spending more and more time inside our homes. Sure, colder weather has its charm but those who live in rental apartments might find themselves confined to a very short list of indoor things to do. Mundane chores like cleaning, tidying up, decluttering or taking care of your pets and house plants might take up a big chunk of your free time, but you can also look for indoor things to do that are relaxing, creative or inspiring.

In case you ran out of ideas, we put together a list of 12 indoor things to do on a cold, rainy day. So, if you live in a rental apartment, read on for inspiration:

Make the most of rainy days at home by moving your body

When the weather is cold and gloomy, you most likely want to curl up under a cozy blanket with a warm drink. Even though it might feel like the opposite of what comes natural to you on a rainy day, moving your body can boost your mood and help you gain energy (Yes, it takes energy to work out, but you get so much more in return, especially if you’re consistent.). You don’t even need any fancy equipment or a lot of space — a yoga mat or a towel and some motivation will do. So, roll out your mat and try some yoga poses to stretch your muscles and relax your mind. Or, try some HIIT exercises to get that heart pumping and burn some calories. Either way, you’ll feel amazing after you move a bit.

Try one of the most rewarding indoor things to do: baking

This might be on everyone’s list of indoor things to do, but it’s there for a good reason. Nothing beats the smell of freshly baked cinnamon or vanilla cookies filling your home on a cold evening. Remember the unofficial banana bread bake-off during the pandemic? That proved that baking is not that hard, which is why you should definitely give it a try. Just pick a step-by-step recipe on YouTube and press play. Baking is not only a relaxing thing to do on a rainy day, but also a rewarding one — you get a treat at the end.

Polish your skills and use rainy days at home to grow

Spending more time indoors can be a great opportunity to focus on studying, learning new things or sharpening your existing skills. There are countless online resources that can help you boost your career or even do a 180 and change your professional field. Or, you can use the time you spend indoor to make that passion project you’ve been dreaming of for years become a reality. Learning is not only a productive way to spend a rainy day, but also a fulfilling one.

Watching a documentary is another fun thing to do on a rainy day

With so many streaming platforms and many free documentaries available, you will have no problem finding some interesting documentaries. Whether you’re into celebrities, sports stars or nature, you’ll definitely find something you like. Watching documentaries is a great way to spend a rainy day that is both entertaining and educational. What’s great is that they come as full-length films or as miniseries with short episodes, which makes them easy to watch.

Creative things to do at home: Start a DYI project

This is another one of those indoor things to do that comes with a rewarding feeling. Upcycling is trending right now, so you won’t have any issues with finding a project for your home. Whether it’s a small decor item or an entire piece of furniture, pick a DIY project to fill those cold evenings. You can turn an old camera into a lamp or give your kitchen chairs a makeover with a new color. Online platforms like Pinterest are great places for inspiration.

Practice self-care and make the most of rainy days

Self-care rituals should not be reserved only for the cold season, but they should be a regular part of our life — but we do admit that rainy days are the best time to focus on our well-being. So, what are some of the things you can do indoors to pamper yourself? You can take a bath, apply a mask to your face or hair, do a full body scrub or massage your body. You could also read those articles your therapist recommended, do some stretching exercises, call a loved one for a chat, or go through your photo albums — or create one, if you don’t have it.

Create an indoor meditation space

Dedicating a small corner of your apartment to meditation will help you commit to the practice more easily. Start out by placing a comfy pillow on the floor and maybe add some scented candles nearby. Meditation is one of the best things you can do for yourself every day, no matter what the weather is like. Take a break from the busy pace of life, sit down, breathe and observe your thoughts, feelings and sensations. It might be hard to even just stay quiet and still but be patient and keep practicing. Taking just a few minutes every day to breathe and check in with yourself will have great results. You’ll be calmer, more at peace with yourself and ready to handle stressful situations.

Indoor things to do in the tech era: a digital decluttering

One of the best indoor things to do in the era of technology is a digital decluttering. You may have outgrown some newsletters or some influencers, which is totally fine. Cleaning up your digital space will help you get more accurate information or more inspiration as you browse social media or check your inbox. So, unsubscribe, unfollow or just take a social media break altogether. This will help you focus better on what you need to do and feel more relaxed.

Reading might not be among the most popular things to do indoor, but it’s so worth it

Whether it’s a book, a magazine or those bookmarked articles you haven’t gotten to yet, reading is a great way to spend your time indoors. The benefits of reading are as diverse as the book topics. Choose a cozy spot in your apartment or take a bubble bath and enjoy your book. Read slowly and mindfully. You can even use a highlighter for your favorite quotes. This will help you remember them more easily.

Have fun at home and dance

Though you might cringe at the idea of dancing by yourself in your apartment, moving your body to music is a great way to unwind, be in the moment and uplift your mood. So, when it comes to indoor things to do to improve your life, dancing is definitely on the list. Whether you decide to move slow or rock on to a popular track, dancing is one way to practice vulnerability, which is essential for your overall happiness. Don’t let shame and fear of judgement stop you from dancing! Just press play and get moving.

Catch up on some sleep

Sleep, nutrition and your mental state are the pillars of good health. When it comes to sleeping, quality and quantity and paramount — so, if you often feel tired or have trouble sleeping, you should try to improve your sleeping habits. Go to bed early and set up a healthy bedtime routine. Avoid using screens or bright lights before going to bed. Also, aromatherapy works wonders, and so does a long, warm bath before bedtime. It’s even better if you go for a brisk walk before that bath. Or, if you feel tense before bedtime, try to meditate or stretch your body.

Host a family dinner party

A family dinner party is a great way to connect and catch up with what’s been going on in the lives of your relatives. Whether you cook or order in, set the table and use some nice decorations — maybe some flowers and soft napkins. Offer some appetizers and drinks, put on some music and just have fun chatting with your loved ones. If your family is not nearby, invite your friends, neighbors, coworkers or school buddies.

Hope this list of indoor things to do on a rainy day will inspire you and help you stay busy while also boosting your mood. Bookmark the story for the next time you run out of ideas.