While lockdown is lifting around the world, many of us are likely to still be home-based for quite some time. As we gear up for another lockdown long weekend, we wanted to share some ideas for staying positive and beating the socially distant six-week slump!
Screen-free time
Set aside 5-15 minutes a day to do something for you that doesn’t involve work or looking at a screen. This is a great way to start your day – take a few quiet moments to yourself before you get back onto technology. This might include:
- Journalling: Imagine how interesting this will be to look back on in a few years! Don’t let the opportunity slip by to record your thoughts during this strange period in time.
- Meditation: There are loads of apps and YouTube videos that will help you meditate if you’re new to practicing.
- Read a book: Why not set yourself a goal of a chapter or a particular number of pages each day?
- Listen to soothing music: During lockdown sleep, cooking, housework, well-being and yoga playlists have all popular on music-streaming platform Spotify.
- Set some daily goals: Make a promise to yourself on what you’re going to achieve that day – an afternoon nap, how many episodes you want to watch on TV or a number of steps walked.
- Take a bath: Combine with candles and a playlist for the perfect spa-like experience!
Distance-socialising
Social distancing doesn’t mean isolating from your friends. Check in and keep in contact!
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Organise a group FaceTime or zoom catch up
There’s never been a better time to get everyone together – since most people are at home. If your friends are across different time zones, you can try a meeting tool to pick a time that suits you all. -
Have ‘Dinner Dates’ where you eat dinner or have drinks with your friends
Even better if you pick a dish and share a recipe you can all cook along together! -
Organise an online quiz
There are tons of ideas online for quizzes, many are free, like this Scattegories player. You can even make it interactive with PowerPoint or mobile-friendly quiz tools like Slido. -
Drop someone you care about a message and let them know you’re thinking of them
Send a letter, email, voice note or anything that reminds them they’re not alone.
Move your body
Any movement is great for the mind and body. You don’t have to work up a sweat to get the endorphins flowing. You could:
- Go for a walk/run: Set yourself a step, distance or time goal.
- Search for yoga practises on YouTube: You’ll find thousands of classes focusing on different body parts, yoga styles for any time frame.
- Stretch your body after sitting down all day: do what feels good to make sure you don't get too stiff.
- Do a live Instagram workout: Set an alarm to remind yourself when your favourite Instagrammers are running classes.
- Put on your favourite music and dance around: now's the time to dance like no one is watching!
Get creative
There has never been a better time to discover your inner artist, chef or musician! A few ideas to bring out your creativity:
- Research new recipes: Bake a yummy dessert or try a healthy dinner - now's the time to give something complicated or time-consuming a try!
- Take up an instrument: become a sensation on the recorder or pick up that guitar that has been gathering dust
- Learn a language: give Duolingo a try and learn a language for free.
- Unleash your inner artist: Paint, draw, sketch or try a mindfulness colouring in book
- Get crafty: This is a great time to try DIY; make your own body scrub, try macrame, or take up knitting
- Organise your wardrobe: Check out this great article from Zanna van Dijk on how to do it!
- Write a bucket list of things to do after lockdown is lifted: You have lots of time to think long and hard about how you'll make the most of the world outside once lockdown is over!
Photo by Tina Witherspoon on Unsplash