Staying at home can give us a feeling of security and warmth – but after too long, you might find that you start experiencing cabin fever. Among other things, cabin fever can increase the time we spend on electronic devices, disrupt our sleep-wake cycle, and negatively impact our mood.
Therefore, if possible, it can be helpful to try and strike a healthy balance between time at home and time outside or in new places. And, the good news is that there are plenty of ways to do so – some of which are completely free.
That said, here are 14 ways to get out of the house.
1. Take up an outdoor hobby
Many of us will be aware that engaging in hobbies and leisure activities can significantly enhance quality of life – and research supports this. Among other things, studies suggest that people with hobbies are less stressed and experience fewer negative emotions. Plus, it can be a great way to get out of the house.
Some examples of hobbies that make ideal outdoor activities include photography, gardening, foraging, and roller skating.
If you haven’t yet found an activity you’re passionate about, head over to the hobbies and activities section of our website for inspiration.
2. Attend a cooking class
Whether you’re a total novice in the kitchen or an accomplished chef, cooking classes are a great way to expand your knowledge, get out of the house, and have fun.
There are various cooking classes held across the UK – many of which are run by some of the country’s best chefs. For example, The Jamie Oliver Cookery School in London offers classes that cover everything from North Indian Thali cuisine to Vietnamese street food.
If this sounds like something for you, check out this list of the best cooking classes across the UK from Square Meal. You’ll find everything from gourmet workshops to fun chocolate-making classes.
3. Visit your local library
Libraries can be a wonderful place to enjoy some downtime, clear your head, seek inspiration, or learn a new skill.
Plus, many libraries offer a range of engaging activities that can be wonderful to get involved with – including writing groups, coffee mornings, author events, and community IT sessions. If you’d like to get involved, why not search for your local library on the GOV.UK website?
4. Make the most of free-admission museums
There are endless interesting museums to visit across the UK. Not only can a museum visit be a fantastic way to get out of the house, but you’ll probably learn something new too, which can make it feel like a productive trip.
Whatever your interests, there’s a museum out there for everyone – and the good news is that many are free to visit. Why not check out this list of free museums in England from Which Museum? You’ll find everything from York’s National Railway Museum to Liverpool’s Maritime Museum.
Or, for something a little quirky, you might also be interested in our article; 11 weird and wonderful museums to visit in the UK. This list includes both free and paid-for museums.
5. Watch a sunrise
Research tells us that the first 20 minutes after we wake up in the morning is when our brains are most impressionable. This means that whatever you see, hear, or are exposed to in the first 20 minutes of the day can have a significant impact on the rest of your day.
There’s plenty of useful advice out there, like not checking your emails or social media as soon as you wake up. But, what better way to start your day than getting out of the house to watch a sunrise?
Not only could this give you some extra time in the day by getting up earlier, but research has also noted several health benefits. For example, various studies have found that watching a sunrise can improve mood, promote better sleep cycles, reduce stress, and even lower levels of inflammation.
6. Consider volunteering
If you’re looking for a more frequent excuse to get out of the house, you could consider volunteering.
There are countless volunteering opportunities available – from charity shops and community groups to animal shelters and wildlife conservation organisations. Many people find that volunteering not only gets them out of the house, but also provides a powerful sense of purpose and community spirit.
If you’d like some inspiration, you can search for volunteering opportunities near you on our website.
7. Make the most of cinema deals
Going to the cinema can make a nice change to watching a film on the sofa at home. And if you particularly enjoy a trip to the movies, why not make the most of some of the ticket deals on offer?
For example, by comparing and buying a product through Compare the Market, you can become a Meerkat Movie member and enjoy two-for-one cinema tickets every Tuesday and Wednesday for a year. You’ll qualify after buying anything from car and pet insurance to broadband. You can search for a participating cinema near you on the Compare the Market website.
For those over 60, ODEON’s Silvers tickets are another great option for discounted cinema viewing. By attending a screening at a quieter time of day, you’ll have access to tickets from £3.50 as well as complimentary tea, coffee, and biscuits. You can find out more about ODEON Silvers on their website.
For further information on different discounts available, check out this list of cinema deals, tips, and tricks from Money Saving Expert.
Alternatively, if theatre is more your thing, websites like TodayTix are fantastic for tracking down last-minute deals. Check out our article, 16 of the most popular theatre shows, to get an idea of what performances you might enjoy.
8. Try dog walking
If you’d like to start walking more but find it tricky to find the motivation to walk alone, why not take up dog walking? Having a dog rely on you for a fun walk can be particularly helpful on days when you don’t want to leave the house, but know that you’ll feel better if you do.
Dog walking has been found to have several impressive health benefits – both physically and mentally. For example, studies have found a link between regular walking and increased longevity, while other research has suggested that dog walkers are less likely to suffer from depression and loneliness.
On websites like Tailster, Borrow My Doggy, and Rover, you can connect with dog owners in your local area who are looking for help walking their pets.
Depending on your circumstances, you could also consider getting a dog of your own. However, there are some important questions to ask yourself before adopting a dog, because it’s a big commitment.
9. Discover events happening in your local community
Engaging with your local community is a fantastic way to get out of the house and meet new people. However, unless you’re already connected, it can sometimes feel difficult to know where to find out about local events or community groups.
Luckily, there are plenty of websites and apps available to help. For example, Eventbrite is one of the most useful apps for finding local events of all kinds – from craft fairs to bar crawls and outdoor cinema screenings. Simply enable access to your location and the app will give you dates, times, and locations of upcoming events near you.
Other apps and websites worth checking out include Nextdoor, All Events, and Meetup.
10. Join a book club
Many of us enjoy reading (or would like to read more), and joining a book club can be an excellent way to do so. If you join an in-person book club, it can be a great way to get out of the house too.
You’ll likely meet new people and be introduced to book titles and themes you otherwise wouldn’t come across.
You can search for book clubs in your local area on Reading Groups for Everyone, the UK’s largest reading group network. Alternatively, you might be interested in starting your own book club. The BBC website has useful information on how to do this.
If you’re not yet sure if joining a book club is for you, why not dip your toes in by joining a virtual group instead? Rest Less Events has a couple of different virtual book clubs as well as a short story club.
11. Go geocaching
If you’ve always loved a treasure hunt or have an adventurous side, why not try geocaching? Geocaching is a fun outdoor activity that involves looking for small, waterproof, hidden treasure boxes.
There are thousands of geocaches across the UK, tucked away in hidden places ready for you to find. To get started, all you need is a GPS-enabled device and to download the free geocaching app.
Head over to the Geocaching website to find out more.
12. Go wine tasting, or visit a brewery or gin distillery
If you’d like to learn more about the art of drinks (and taste some of the good stuff!), why not go wine tasting, or spend a day visiting a brewery or gin distillery?
There are countless experiences available across the UK – each of which can make a fun and unique way to get out of the house and experience something new.
For inspiration, check out this list of the best UK gin distilleries for tours and tastings from Club Oenologique or our collection of the best vineyards to visit in the UK. Alternatively, if beer is more your thing, you might prefer to browse this list of the top brewery tours from The Foodie Travel Guide.
13. Take up a new sport or join your local gym
There are many benefits to becoming more active beyond just getting you out of the house. Being more physically active is linked with greater life satisfaction and happiness, and can benefit your physical health too.
Much like dog walking and volunteering, taking up a new sport or joining your local gym can offer a long-term solution to getting out of the house more. For example, many sports clubs and activities will run weekly matches or training sessions, and most gyms run frequent exercise classes.
If you haven’t yet found a sport you enjoy, head over to the fitness and exercise section of our website where you’ll find information on everything from team sports to outdoor activities. You might also be interested in our beginner’s guide to joining the gym.
14. Pair walking with another rewarding activity
Walking has many benefits and is a simple way to get out of the house. But if you find it difficult to motivate yourself to go on a walk and don’t fancy dog walking, why not try pairing it with another rewarding activity?
You could take the opportunity to catch up with loved ones, listen to an audiobook, or even raise money for charity by doing a sponsored walk of some kind.
Check out our articles, 12 rewarding activities to do while walking and 11 different types of walks to enjoy, for more inspiration.
Final thoughts…
Getting out of the house is important for our mental health. If you’ve been experiencing a bit of cabin fever recently, why not try one of the ideas on our list today?
For further reading, you might like to check out the days out in the UK section of our website. Here you’ll find everything from the best National Trust places to visit to the best woodlands and forests to visit.
What are your favourite ways to get out of the house? Will you be trying any of the ideas from our list? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.