Some cozy activities for days when you can’t leave the house

Some days, the world feels too far away, too cold, or simply too heavy to face. With Huntington’s disease, those days come more often than they used to. Sometimes it’s because my balance feels off, and icy sidewalks feel risky. Other times, my movements are unpredictable, and I’m not in the mood to socialize. And sometimes, my body simply says, “Not today.”

In the past, I would have fought that instinct, forcing myself to push through. I thought staying in meant missing out. Now I know better. Honoring my limits is not surrender, it’s care. Staying home doesn’t have to feel like being stuck. It can be restorative, comforting, even joyful, if I approach it with intention.

Make your space warm and inviting

When I know I’ll be inside for the day, I start by making my space feel warm and inviting. A cluttered environment amplifies my stress, so I tidy up, light a candle, or put on soft music. Those simple steps shift my mindset. My home becomes a place that supports my well-being instead of mirroring my sense of being overwhelmed.

Without the pull of errands or appointments, I can let my body move at its own pace. Some days, that means curling up under a blanket and watching movies on Netflix. Other days, I have the energy for small creative projects like writing in my journal or coloring in my coloring books. When my mood becomes erratic, I choose activities that welcome imperfection, focusing on the process rather than the result.

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Reading is a favorite way to stay engaged without taxing my body. On days when concentration is easier, I’ll pick up a book I’ve been enjoying. When symptoms make focusing on print harder, I switch to an audiobook and let the narrator’s voice carry the story. Both of these are ways to bring the world to me without leaving my chair.

Cooking or baking offers its own comfort. The smells, textures, and colors make me feel grounded. I choose recipes that are simple and nourishing, adapting them so I can work while seated if my balance is off. The point isn’t creating something fancy, it’s feeding myself well and finding joy in the process.

Movement matters, too, even indoors. Gentle stretching, seated yoga, or slow dance routines keep me connected to my body without pushing it beyond its limits. At home, I can take breaks when I need to and avoid the self-consciousness that sometimes came from public stares in the past.

Connection doesn’t have to mean leaving the house. A phone call, a video chat, or a message to a friend can keep me linked to the people who matter. Some of my best conversations happen when I’m wrapped in a blanket, talking to someone who understands this life. There’s comfort in knowing I can be seen and heard without stepping outside.

Intentional stillness is another tool I use. Meditation, guided breath work, or simply sitting quietly with a warm drink can help settle my nervous system. On days when symptoms are active, my body can feel like it’s on high alert even while I’m resting. Slowing my breath and visualizing something peaceful, like the waves on Lake Erie, helps my mind follow my body into a calmer state.

An invitation to live differently

These days at home aren’t wasted. They’re invitations to live differently, to value comfort over constant motion, presence over productivity. They remind me that my worth isn’t tied to how much I do, but to how I care for myself in the moments I need it most.

Living with Huntington’s has made me fiercely protective of my energy. I can spend it proving I can “keep up,” or I can spend it in ways that sustain me. Cozy days indoors give my body the recovery time it needs, my mind the quiet it craves, and my spirit the space to breathe. When I do step back outside, I carry that calm with me.

On days I can’t leave the house, I try to see it not as a restriction but as a choice to nourish myself. There is beauty in leaning into warmth, in creating small joys within my own walls. I may not be out in the world, but I’m still living fully, just at a gentler pace, in a place that feels like mine.

Note: Huntington’s Disease News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Huntington’s Disease News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to Huntington’s disease.