So, it is April 2020 and the whole world is in disarray due to the increasing threat of the Coronavirus. Now that the government has put the whole of the UK on lockdown, we really need to start thinking of ways to keep ourselves healthy, happy and entertained whilst the normality of our lives is turned upside down.
I don’t need much encouragement when it comes to making lists about almost anything so immediately, I was busy planning activities to beat boredom and keep me busy over the next month of lockdown.
1, Firstly, and you may have guessed it, baking! Baking is easy to do, creative and of course very rewarding because afterwards eat your masterpiece. Even if baking isn’t your strong suit, there are thousands of recipes online that are easy to follow and as long as you’ve got the ingredients you can have lots of fun and if you are struggling for ingredients there is nothing stopping you from getting creative with what you do have, finding a recipe that includes what you’ve got in the cupboard and winging it, you never know you might surprise yourself and be the next Mary berry.
2, After a busy day baking up a storm it seems only fair that you dedicate a day to relaxing. Treat yourself to a full-on relaxation station. Get the bath run, it doesn’t matter what time of the day, baths can be enjoyed at any time. pop in some bath salts & a bath bomb if you’ve got one. Light some candles, put on some music, sit back and chill out amongst the steam and let your stresses disappear for a little while. Once you’re out the bath, stick on a face mask, pour yourself a glass of whatever you desire and stick on your favourite TV show or film and enjoy the rest of your quarantine and chill day.
3, Next on my list is a good one to tick off of your internal list. Finish off that odd job around the house you’ve been meaning to do or redecorate. our busy day to day routines don’t often leave us with enough hours in the day to create that perfect home space so whether its painting a wall, tidying out a wardrobe or redecorating just because you can, get to it. You can click & collect a lot of paints and hardware products so get cracking, make it fun and enjoy your new space.
4, Now we do still have the somewhat luxury of being allowed out of our houses for 1 form of exercise a day be that running, walking or cycling. We can’t stay cooped up in our houses for long periods of time so try and get some fresh air as and when you can. I suggest going on a bike ride every so often either alone or with your isolation buddies. Not only will this provide you with some exercise, it will clear you head and alleviate some of the stress everyone’s feeling at the moment.
5, Whilst we have nothing but time this is the perfect reason to keep our brains engaged and learn something new. There are tons of online resources such as YouTube, articles and online courses where we can gather information and take lessons surrounding a specific topic. For example, I’m currently studying mindfulness through the new skills academy where I even get an online diploma in it once I’ve finished it. I’ve been reading about astronomy and watching YouTube videos on geography. So, if there is a language you want to learn or a topic that you wish you knew more about, then now is your time.
6, If your Netflix list or bookshelf is as long as mine, then this is the perfect opportunity to get some books read and some series watched. I am currently reading ‘The art of happiness’ by the Dali Lama - very introspective and interesting. As far as Netflix is concerned, I have just started Mindhunter - amazing series, and I have about 10 other films and series to watch afterwards.
7, Now even though it can be exhausting and not everybody's idea of fun, working out is a sure way to get your endorphins flowing and get on those positive vibes. Not only does it keep your body active, but it keeps your mind active too, which is just as, if not more, important. Home workouts are easy to create, you can use just your own body weight, tins of bens and bags of sugar or if you already have proper gym equipment at hand, you’re ready to go. You can take it at your own pace and do your own exercises from the comfort of your own home.
8, Even in dark times like these we need to find beauty in the things around us, if you have a garden or an outdoor space why not use this time to give it some TLC. Cut your grass, clean/paint your outdoor furniture, you could even pick up some seeds from the supermarket when you next do your shopping and then plant on some new life and tend to it throughout lockdown. Gardening if good for the mind, it is even classed as meditative. It is rewarding and you’ll have both a haven inside and outside your house now.
9, Our current situation is scary, unprecedented and lonely. Many people will be isolating alone and even those who aren’t will face challenges with seeing friends and family. This is a new and daunting experience for everyone, so it is crucial that positivity is spread. Call your family and friends, check in on them. Gossip with them, talk about all the things you will do together when this has subsided. Express your gratitude for having them in your life and make sure they’re coping wherever they are. This can be as quick as 5 mins but if you’re anything like me it could be a 3-hour facetime call! Checking in could brighten up someone else day and your own. I truly believe that it is the people around us who we love that make life worth living.
10, All this spare time can be overwhelming for some, probably for the majority of us really. We must look after ourselves physically, emotionally and mentally. It is easy to get caught up in the negatives and being stuck inside all day can have a detrimental effect on our mental state if we allow it. Meditating, taking a moment to reflect, doing 30 mins of yoga, gathering realistic perspective or just working through some simple breathing exercises every day can boost your mood and push out that cloud that could be hanging over your head throughout all this. Looking after your mental health should be everyone priority, world pandemic or not but even more so now we need to have our own back and look after ourselves. Everyone is in this together and together we will get past this.
Lastly, I hope these tips, activities and encouragements make you feel better about being in quarantine. None of this will last forever and we have the best people working round the clock to help everyone worldwide but in the meantime, it is key that we keep ourselves busy, motivated and positive. I hope my little list does just that for you. Stay safe & stay inside.
JB x