Eight months into 2020, and we have been home for most of them. The world has come to a standstill of sorts, with only very essential services functional. We have been forced to stay at home to minimize the spread of CoronaVirus. While New Zealand was declared free from Coronavirus a few months back, the virus is back and it feels like RESET. Most of us are now working from home, and it might become a more permanent thing now. This does not mean you spend all your days in bed. Staying in bed and catching up on lost sleep on what feels like the best mattress in New Zealand was okay initially, but now it’s time to get into a routine and keep yourself busy and relaxed. Here is how you can do that.
EXERCISE
With crazy working hours, a lot of us stopped focusing on staying fit and healthy. Those who did hit the gym or any other classes cannot do that anymore. Take this lockdown as an opportunity to get back to exercising. Start small, 15-20 minutes a day, follow youtube channels for yoga, use that treadmill you bought but never walked on or just put on some music and dance it out. If you live with family or roommates ask them to join and keep each other motivated. The important part is to get your body and heart rate moving.
START AN INDOOR KITCHEN GARDEN
With long lines at supermarkets and stores, now is a good time to start an indoor kitchen garden. You can save some money and bring down your food waste. It can also teach you to slowly move towards more sustainability. Certain vegetables are super easy to grow from kitchen scraps. All you need is scraps and a pot.
READ
Most of us love to read a good book, but our busy work schedule left us with little energy or time to read. But since you are home now, you can spend that extra hour you would spend commuting to your workplace, reading instead. Reading is an excellent way to reduce stress and gain knowledge. It will also help you focus better. Read before going to bed or when you want a break from working on your computer.
COOK
Though take out and delivery from restaurants is allowed, why take unnecessary risk. Cooking is a great activity to keep you busy and happy. Get back to cooking your own food, try making things you always wanted to. Recreate your favorite meal from your favorite joint. Good food can uplift your mood more than you think.
BAKE
On days you feel low, and not motivated enough to get out of bed, baking can be very therapeutic. Getting up and putting all that effort into baking your own bread or some delicious cupcakes will all be worth it. You won’t have to miss out on all the cakes and desserts that you would normally buy from the market or your grandma’s cookies. For those of you who are not alone, it can be a great way to bond with your family or your roommates.
Organize your shelves
Most of us always put off organizing our storage shelves and wardrobes. Not anymore. Start by organizing a small bookshelf or a kitchen cabinet and slowly move on to bigger storage. Neatly arranged clothes, books or any other product for that matter can be oddly satisfying.
Meditate
Meditation is the best way to reduce stress and control anxiety. It also helps emotional health. While it is not easy to meditate, start small. Even just 5-10 minutes of meditation can make a huge difference.
So, the next time you find yourself over exhausted from working or just bored, try one of these activities.
