How to Spend Your Free Time (Girls)

Co-authored by Jennifer Guttman, PsyD

Last Updated: January 31, 2023 References Approved

When you have some free time, try activities to help you relax, get some exercise, have fun, or learn something new! You might read a book or watch a movie, relax with a bath, or go on a hike. There are plenty of other things you could try too, like yoga, learning a language, or trying a new recipe. There's no shortage of things to do! Pick whichever option seem the most enjoyable and fits into your schedule, whether you have five minutes or five hours free.

Part 1

Part 1 of 4:

Relaxing With Personal Time

1
Soak in the bathtub. Fill your tub with warm water, and make sure the temperature isn’t too hot for you. Pour in some bubble bath and soak in bubbles, or throw in a bath bomb to add some fun and color to your bath. Either way, you’ll feel relaxed in no time. Soak for about 20 or 30 minutes--or until you get pruny!
2
Listen to music and dance. Play your favorite playlist. Turn up the volume, follow the beat, and move to the rhythm. Exercise will destress you, and uptempo music will boost your mood. Dance for just a few songs or a few albums! ^{[1]
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3
Meditate to clear your mind. Sit straight and take some deep breaths. Fill up your lungs all the way with air, and exhale as deeply as you can. Repeat this for five or ten minutes. Use a timer, and focus on your breath until time is up. Deep breathing and staying in the present moment will make your stresses disappear while filling some time.
- For deeper relaxation, look up “guided meditation” videos on the internet and follow along. ^{[2]
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  Harvard Business Review
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4
Take a nap to catch up on some zzzs. This is especially helpful if you are busy or tired from a long day. You can nap for 20 minutes or 1 hour, whatever feels right and works with your schedule.
5
Watch a movie. Turn on a classic or one you’ve never seen before. Use DVDs or try streaming services like Netflix or Hulu. You can also substitute for a television show if you prefer. If you have the time, binge-watch your favorite program!^{[3]
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6
Start an arts and crafts project. Find a DIY tutorial and get creative! Search for DIY activities online, like making home decorations, creating a personalized gift, or repurposing old clothing. Also try making jewelry, scrapbooking, or painting.
- Buy coloring books and fill in the pages. There are a ton of coloring book options depending on your age. Grab some colored pencils, markers, or crayons, and flip open to a fun page. If you run out of time, you can easily stop working and pick up where you left off. ^{[4]
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7
Read a book. Reading helps you unwind by taking you out of yourself and into a different narrative. Grab a favorite or a new best seller and start reading to relax and spend time.

Part 2

Part 2 of 4:

Having Fun by Yourself or with Others

1
Hang out with your friends. What's more fun than hanging with your friends? Grab a few pals and get brunch at a new restaurant. Have a girls day with a trip to the nail salon and a sleepover. Rent some movies and make some popcorn. Spend time with a few people, or invite everyone!^{[5]
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Expert Source

Jennifer Guttman, PsyD
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Expert Interview. 26 July 2021.}
2
Go shopping. Visit a shopping mall, department store, thrift shop, or grocery store. Treat yourself to something nice, or keep your spending within a budget.^{[6]
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Expert Source

Jennifer Guttman, PsyD
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Expert Interview. 26 July 2021.} You can also do this while spending time with friends or family! ^{[7]
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3
Surf the web. Explore the internet by browsing social media sites, looking up something of interest, or reading neat articles or news stories. Use Google to learn more about things that interest you, such as fashion trends, new recipes, or current events.
4
Visit a nearby city. Travel to a city within an hour or two from where you live, and spend the day there. Try a restaurant, walk around shops, and try a museum or gallery. Exploring something new is exciting and fun way to spend time.
5
Decorate for the upcoming holidays. Depending on the time of year, find decorations for the next holiday and hang them around your house. Easter, Fourth of July, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas are great times to decorate.^{[8]
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Expert Source

Jennifer Guttman, PsyD
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Expert Interview. 26 July 2021.}

Expert Answer

Q

What should I do if I'm alone during a holiday?

Jennifer Guttman, PsyD
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Jennifer Guttman, is a Cognitive Behavioral Therapist, Clinical Psychologist, and the Founder of the Sustainable Life Satisfaction®, a motivational and lifestyle platform. With over 30 years of experience and practice in New York City and Westport, Dr. Guttman specializes in treating people struggling with acute behavioral disorders stemming from anxiety, depression, stress, attention deficit, and phobias. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Drew University and a Doctor of Psychology from Long Island University. Dr. Guttman is the author of "A Path To Life Satisfaction Workbook (2018),” a monthly blog contributor to Psychology Today and Thrive Global, and a contributor to articles in major publications, media sites, and podcasts including The Washington Post, Reader's Digest, Redbook, Teen Vogue, Health, mindbodygreen.com, Harvesting Happiness, and Unshakable Self-Confidence.

EXPERT ADVICE

Answer from Jennifer Guttman, PsyD:

Treat yourself! For me, making a really delicious meal is a great way to do this. You could cook or bake something you really love, or order out if your favorite spot is open. If your family has any holiday traditions, I'd also recommend sticking with them. Do a version of the tradition on your own; you'll feel better!

Part 3

Part 3 of 4:

Exercising and Getting Active

1
Take a walk or go jogging around your neighborhood. Go outside for a walk or jog, and exercise for at least 20 - 30 minutes. You can also go to a park.
- You can go in a loop so you’ll come back around the opposite way from where you started, or you can go to a spot in particular and turn around.^{[9]
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2
Go for a hike. Drive to a nearby park and find a trail to hike. Getting out in nature is a great way to spend your free time while exercising or exploring someplace new.^{[10]
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3
Try an exercise class like yoga or pilates. A class can be a fun and interactive way to learn a new exercise. Yoga classes can relax you, and pilates will get you moving. Other classes you can try include spin classes or zumba.^{[11]
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4
Join a sports team. Sign up for softball or soccer. This will give you a way to consistently spend your free time every week. You will not only exercise but also meet new friends and learn what it’s like to be in a team. ^{[12]
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5
Go to the gym. The gym can be a space for you to spend time in the morning, or you can go after school or work. Try to do cardiovascular exercises like using the treadmill or elliptical machine as well as building muscle with weights or machines.^{[13]
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6
Work out at home. Turn on an exercise DVD or watch a video online. There are a ton of videos you can choose from, like circuit training, yoga, or pilates. You can also watch videos that focus on particular parts of your body, like abdominals, chest, or arms.

Part 4

Part 4 of 4:

Learning Something New

1
Practice a new language. Use references like books, phone applications, or websites to help you learn and rehearse words in different languages. You can also get a tutor or take language classes. Try Spanish, French, German, Chinese, or Japanese.^{[14]
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2
Listen to a podcast. There are podcasts on a wide variety of subjects, from cooking, to art, to history, to sports--anything you can name. You can listen to podcasts on phone apps like YouTube or online. Search for one you like and press play.^{[15]
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3
Go to the library. You can look for a new, interesting book, and borrow things like CDs, movies, and e-books. Sit and read for awhile, or bring your laptop and get some personal work done, like budgeting or scheduling.^{[16]
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4
Visit an arts or history museum. While museums are popular and fun destinations, you can also learn quite a lot when visiting one. Pick a topic you’d like to learn more about, such as modern art, civil war history, or animals, and visit a museum near you that features artifacts on your topic.^{[17]
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5
Find a new recipe and try it out. Learn how to make a new dish or dessert. Use recipe books or search for one online. You can use ingredients you already have at home, or go shopping based on what the recipe calls for.
- For example, bake cookies, brownies, or a cake. ^{[18]
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6
Watch a documentary. Find one that seems interesting on DVD, Netflix, Hulu, or online. Documentaries can take up 20 minutes or 2 hours depending on the topic and director. You can learn things like biographies on politicians, explorations to the jungle, or controversial moments in history. ^{[19]
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7
Start a garden and grow your own food. Learning to start a garden is a fun way to spend your free time, and you will also be able to grow produce to use while cooking. Start simple with an herb garden or salsa garden, or plant a variety of vegetables. Either way, you'll grow your own ingredients to use in the kitchen.^{[20]
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8
Get a head start on upcoming school assignments. Work ahead on homework assignments, or study for your upcoming midterm. It may not be super fun, but you'll feel much better if you get those pesky assignments out of your way!

Expert Q&A

Question

What can I do if I'm lonely but I'm stuck at home?

Jennifer Guttman, PsyD
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Jennifer Guttman, is a Cognitive Behavioral Therapist, Clinical Psychologist, and the Founder of the Sustainable Life Satisfaction®, a motivational and lifestyle platform. With over 30 years of experience and practice in New York City and Westport, Dr. Guttman specializes in treating people struggling with acute behavioral disorders stemming from anxiety, depression, stress, attention deficit, and phobias. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Drew University and a Doctor of Psychology from Long Island University. Dr. Guttman is the author of "A Path To Life Satisfaction Workbook (2018),” a monthly blog contributor to Psychology Today and Thrive Global, and a contributor to articles in major publications, media sites, and podcasts including The Washington Post, Reader's Digest, Redbook, Teen Vogue, Health, mindbodygreen.com, Harvesting Happiness, and Unshakable Self-Confidence.

Jennifer Guttman, PsyD

Licensed Clinical Psychologist

Expert Answer

You don't have to be alone, even if you can't see someone physically. FaceTime and Zoom make it super easy to connect with friends and family even if you can't see them in person.
Question

What are some other activities that I can do to relax?

Community Answer

Try yoga, meditation, or a hot bath. Reading or listening to classical music can also help you relax.
Question

What can I do to entertain myself on the summer holidays?

Community Answer

Find a hobby you will enjoy doing. For example, scrapbooking is a great hobby to do during the summer, as it’s perfect for documenting what happens during the summer, so you can look back at it.