Lockdown 3.0 has put many of our plans on hold once again. As those of us born in spring prepare for yet another lockdown birthday, it can feel like there’s no reason to get excited or look forward to the future. That’s why this lockdown it’s so important to ensure that you take some me time and keep your spirits high.
Here are some of the best ways to pamper yourself and emerge from lockdown radiant and energised.
Set Aside Some Time For You
It can be tough when the kids aren’t in school, and you and your partner may both be working from home, to ensure that you get enough time to yourself.
A great way to help you and your partner get some much needed me-time is by taking the kids out at different times. You could ask your partner to take the kids for a walk locally to get them some fresh air and exercise.
You can then use this time to decompress – catch up on TV, read a book, meditate, or whatever makes you happy and relaxed. Whatever you choose, take an hour or two to do what you want to do. You can then return the favour for your partner another day.
Read More
Reading is an excellent form of escapism. It can help transport you to another time and place even if you’re stuck at home in gloomy winter weather.
Reading more will also help you keep your mind sharp and add some much-needed variety to your days. You could get the kids in on this by having a family book club, giving you all some time to bond and enjoy each others’ company.
Invest In Houseplants
Adding some greenery to your home can help to lift everyone’s moods. Plants have been shown to promote mental health. They’re also pleasing to look at and relaxing to take care of. While winter isn’t the best time to get out into the garden to show off your green thumb, creating an indoor oasis of flowers and plants is a perfect alternative.
You could consider getting some fragrant lavender potted plants to give your home a fresh scent or some easy to maintain plants. Succulents are perfect for busy households as they require minimal care. Anything that adds a splash of colour into winter is ideal for raising your mood and keeping you feeling happy and relaxed.
Rethink Your Beauty Routine
Revamping your beauty routine is a great way to inject some variety into your time spent in lockdown. From skincare to makeup to manicures, there will be a way for you to switch things up and help you feel your best.
You might consider upping your dental care routine as well. There’s nothing like a gorgeous smile to make you feel confident and beautiful, inside and out. Have a look at 3D Whitestrips from Eurowhite, the perfect way to give your smile a boost this winter.
You could also try out new makeup while you have time to spare. There might be a makeup tutorial you’ve always wanted to try or a new shade of lipstick that you’ve been toying with trying. Switching up your everyday makeup look could be perfect to help you emerge from lockdown with new confidence.
Keep Your Hair Healthy
It may be a while before we can return to the hairdressers to give your hair the star treatment. This can become tricky when you have coloured hair or split ends in need of trimming. A good hair care routine can keep your locks looking healthy until you can get to the salon – and are super relaxing to boot!
You could consider using a leave-in conditioning mask to soothe any dry ends and switch to colour, preserving shampoo and conditioner to prolong the life of your hair colour. You could even try dyeing your hair at home if you can’t stand the sight of your roots any longer.
Thanks to previous lockdowns there’s no shortage of tutorials on how to cut and style your hair at home. While cutting your own hair may be a daunting prospect, it could be a great way to keep your hair looking its best until you see your hairdresser again.
Try Some At-Home Exercise
It can be challenging to ensure that you and your family get the exercise you need while in lockdown. While in warmer months it was easier to get out and keep active, if it’s icy or rainy outside it can be hard to muster up the willingness to venture out.
This is why at-home exercise is perfect for the whole family. You can find online tutorials on anything from yoga to high-intensity interval training to weight training – even if you don’t own weights. Doing some at-home exercise is perfect for keeping you fit and healthy during the winter lockdown.
It may help to have a goal in mind when doing at-home exercise. Your goal could be a target weight that you want to be able to lift or to be able to touch your toes. The size of your goal doesn’t matter as much as simply having an aim to work towards.
Laugh More
The simple act of laughing and smiling can actually improve your mood. Laughter is definitely the best medicine for a winter lockdown. It can help you to relax, de-stress and can even burn calories.
Taking time to laugh and smile could be an activity that you get the whole family involved with. From watching a funny TV show or having a competition to find the best joke, there are many ways that you can find a reason to laugh. Even if you don’t feel like laughing, sometimes the act of laughing can lead to genuine laughter.
Laughter yoga is a great way to start. The comical nature of some of the exercises can quickly give way to genuine laughter. Whether you do this alone or as a family is up to you, though the whole household could feel the benefits.