It’s wintertime here in Coastal Oregon - a time of dramatic storms, big waves, and strings of rainy days. When even looking through the window feels like a dreary idea, you need some fun activities to bring some fun and brightness to your day.

Here are some of our favorite rainy-day activities for hospice patients.

1. Watch a movie or TV show - While many hospice patients find themselves watching more TV than average, you can still take opportunities to watch something a little different than normal. If you usually watch dramas, maybe try a documentary. Or if you tend to only watch movies, try out a TV series for a little change of pace.

2. Listen to an audiobook - Audiobooks are a great way to fill your time. Many fiction books have amazing voice actors who narrate, bringing you deep into the story. Many audiobooks can be expensive when purchased through services like Audible, so we recommend looking at YouTube for free books, and also checking Scribd.com, a service that gives you unlimited ebooks, magazines, and audiobooks for around $10/mo.

3. Do a puzzle - When was the last time you did a puzzle? You can find puzzles of many famous artworks or scenic locations. There are also extremely difficult puzzles to try, such as this one composed of entirely black pieces.

4. Write in a journal or write letters to loved ones - Expressing your thoughts and feelings (and, let’s be honest - you have plenty of time to think on a rainy day!) and sharing them with friends and family is so valuable and meaningful, especially at this stage of life.

5. Have a virtual visit with friends or family using video chat - Phone calls are nice, but using video chat adds a fun, memorable dimension to touching base with friends and family members.

6. Do a craft or coloring activity - It can be fulfilling to have a tangible “thing” at the end of your day. There are many low-mess crafts you can do, ranging from drawing to woodcarving figurines to painting and beyond. If you need ideas, we recommend searching on Pinterest!

7. Take a virtual tour of a museum or art gallery - Google Arts and Culture offers explorations of thousands of beautiful paintings, photos, and drawings, and even offers 360-degree tours of beautiful architectural sites.

What are some of your favorite activities? Share with us in the comments!