There’s a lot of uncertainty in the world right now so it’s easy to feel a little disconnected and sad. The national lockdown may feel like a curse, but if you get your mind right, you can really use this time to your advantage. Here are 21 ways to make the most of your time at home.
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1. Wake up early. Whether it’s to start work or to do some form of exercise before you begin your day, it’s important to get out of bed as quickly as possible. Lying in bed all day can quickly lead to feelings of depression.
2. Dress up because when you look good, you feel better. You don’t need to go to the same extent as you would for a normal work day, but don’t sit in your pyjamas either. Get up, put on a nice dress, and practise some form of face care regime.
3. Eat a decent breakfast. Now that you have the time, make yourself a hearty, nourishing breakfast and start your day right. You aren’t rushing to get to work or to take the kids to school, so make breakfast an experience. If possible, sit down together as a family.
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4. Read a book. Remember all those books you’ve bought to read ‘when you have more time’? Well that time is now so pull one off the bookshelf and get reading.
5. Make the most of your time at home by trying a new recipe. If you’re always complaining that you don’t have time to be more creative in the kitchen, now is the perfect opportunity to tackle that tricky risotto recipe you’ve been eyeing.
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6. Set the table. When you sit down for a meal, use a tablecloth or placemats, as well as napkins, and candles. There’s no reason why you should only keep your best crockery for special occasions.
7. Fill your home with flowers. If you can’t find any during your next trip for essentials, get some from the garden. The colours will help to cheer you up, for instance.
8. Speak to people. Whether it’s a Whatsapp Video Call or a chat over Zoom, it’s important to keep in touch with your friends and family. If you’re lucky enough to have company in lockdown, call a friend who’s alone or who you know is struggling. The chat will do you both a world of good.
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9. Keep moving. There are a number of people offering free exercise classes on YouTube, so whether you’d like to try yoga for the first time, or just feel like a fun dance class, there’s something for you.
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10. Indulge in an afternoon nap. There’s always that patch of the day after lunch when you start to feel a little lethargic. Now’s the time to treat yourself to a 20 or 30 minute power nap. It may just help you to feel refreshed.
11. Have a bath. Light some candles, turn on some music, and soak in a warm bubble bath. Bliss.
12. Watch a movie. Whether it’s one you’ve been dying to watch or an old favourite, make some popcorn and sit down for a relaxing movie.
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13. Clear digital clutter. You can really make the most of your time at home by clearing your inbox and saving any important emails.
14. Make time for introspection. Take stock of your life and your blessings. What are your goals and what else would you like to achieve, now and in the future?
15. Try a different hairstyle every day. You have time to experiment so try wearing your hair in different ways. This way when things go back to normal, you’ll have a few more ideas in your style arsenal.
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16. Sort through your cupboards. Rearrange your clothes, declutter, and put some things aside that you no longer want or need. Keep these to donate to a charity at a later stage.
17. Update your CV and LinkedIn profile. This is often something that gets neglected, so now is a great time to make sure your details and credentials are up to date.
18. Back up all your treasured photos and videos to an external hard drive for in case your phone or PC crashes one day. Update photo albums and put them in a prominent place like the coffee table.
19. Look up a new word in the dictionary and use it in as many sentences as you can. Not only will this will expand your vocabulary, but it will also stimulate your brain.
20. Tend to your garden because it’s relaxing and reassuring to see things improve and respond to your care.
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21. Practise some self-love. This looks different to everyone. For example, it might be listening to music in your room, meditating, practising yoga, etc. Think of one way you’d like to treat yourself and do it. Start by telling yourself something really positive. For instance, how well you did something, or how lovely you look, etc. It should be anything that will make you smile.
Compiled by Food and Decor Editor, Claire Badenhorst
