We are all ready for the world to return to normal. Many of us have missed vacations for the last year, avoided family gatherings, and haven’t had lunch out with friends since the start of the pandemic. But there are plenty of signs that things are finally turning around.

As more and more people continue to get vaccinated and many more have established some form of immunity via exposure or having contracted the virus, our world is starting to look more familiar. However, things aren’t perfect just yet. So if you are looking for ways to have fun — and feel fabulous — without taking any unnecessary risks, keep reading for advice.

On-the-Go Excitement

When you are ready to venture out into the world, you still have plenty of options. Fortunately, many places, including Disney, are finally starting to open back up. This means vacations and other public gatherings are back on the table. If you’re ready to enjoy travel and socialization, consider these options:

• Vacation in your home state. The Sun Bay Paper explains that traveling within the state can save you money. Further, you get to experience your hometown or home state in ways you’ve likely never before.
• Rent a theater. AMC, Regal, and many other independent theaters across the country now offer private screenings of classic and new release movies. This is a great way to have the theater experience without sharing the air with potentially sick patrons.
• Road trip. Taking a road trip and renting a private house, apartment, or condo is a relatively safe way to vacation. It’s also more affordable than flying, in most cases, and will allow you to experience sights and sounds on your own terms. Use websites, such as My Scenic Drives, to plan your next trip.

Fun at Home

For many of us, finding innovative ways to stay entertained at home has become a challenge. If you and your family are not quite yet ready to venture out, it’s easy to feel as though you’ve exhausted all of your at-home fun options. A few tips to level up everyone’s mood without going into the public are to:

• Play video games together
• Start your own YouTube channel
• Plant a garden
• Build a homemade slip and slide
• Binge-watch Marvel movies and series in order

Keep in mind that being bored at home easily leads to tension and fighting. Any of the above ideas can help alleviate some of this anxiety. If you plan to play games, stream videos, or post a vlog online, make sure your internet can handle it. If you live in a rural area, you may want a 5G connection, which will enhance gameplay and increase upload and download speeds.

Feel Great

Planning fun activities, whether at home or away, means very little if you don’t feel great while you’re participating. Elevate your self-care routine now to ensure that you have the energy, stamina, and drive to enjoy your newly reclaimed freedom. Everything you do — from getting enough sleep to using the right shampoo and conditioner — makes a difference in how you perceive yourself. And when you feel good, you’ll have an easier time enjoying your favorite activities, even if you still feel a bit anxious about the virus.

Ultimately, we have to get back into a routine at some point. Part of living a healthy life is having fun with ourselves, our friends, and our families. So whether you plan to venture out into the world or stick close to home, do not allow yourself to get stuck into a habit of doing nothing. There’s nothing wrong with enjoying yourself — from playing video games to taking a road trip, the above ideas can put you back on the path toward living life on your own terms.