How you can pamper yourself during lockdown?

It can be difficult to untangle yourself from online threads about COVID-19. We get it, you’re stuck at home, nothing to do - why not check out Reddit? Bad idea. While that is easier said than done, you’ve got to take care of yourself first. Repeat after me: Self care is important.

Bombarding yourself every day with depressing news and updates will eventually take a heavy toll on your body and your mind. Self-care practices may take time but they are worth it. Let’s start with three small things you could do tomorrow morning:

• Drink a glass of water first thing in the morning.
• Start your day with something pleasant - not snoozing the alarm until you’re late for work! But a ritual you can rely on to start your day right.
• Decide on a menu for the week - going to the grocery store can feel like a rush for supplies in a zombie movie these days. Take the time to pre-plan your meals so you know exactly what to look for.

They might not seem like they could make an impact, but personal care always starts with the small stuff. Now for some big things. These may require a little more dedication but the payoffs will be worth it.

Quality sleep

Did you know that one of the best ways to boost your immunity is regular sleep?

Yes, sleep plays a crucial role in keeping us healthy. While we are asleep our immune system kills off foreign viruses, bacteria and other mutated cells. Plus during this period of self-isolation, it can be easy to slip into bad habits - later bedtimes, more screen time than usual, unhealthy morning routines. By keeping sleep regular you can offset any problems you might see down the line, plus keep your mental health in check.

On average most people need around 8 hours of sleep, but the key is to make your waking up time consistent. If you normally get up at 8 am every weekday morning, stick to it, and your body will thank you.

Meditation

It’s perfectly natural to feel anxious about the state of the world right now. Which is also why it’s the perfect time to start a mindfulness program. Celebrities from Lizzo to Ellen to Camila Cabello talk about the benefits of meditating daily and the great part about it is? It’s totally free.

There are a lot of apps out there where you can learn how to meditate such as One Giant Mind and Headspace. There are also a tonne of great videos on YouTube. (Tip: Google Pranyama deep breathing.)

But to start off slow, why not just close your eyes and take five deep breaths, concentrating on each one as it goes in… And out.

You’d be shocked at how small efforts like this create a real impact on your day-to-day wellbeing. If you find that you’re still overwhelmed by anxious thoughts, even after trying an app or a breathing practice, consider reaching out to your GP.

Beauty treatments

You’re home. No one can see you. Why bother?

Because treating yourself with a face mask, a DIY mani-pedi, or nourishing your hair with a hydrating-mask can make quarantine that much more fun. Of course, there are a lot of DIY treatments you can try but sensitive skin types should be wary of certain ingredients. (We’ve seen a lot of baking soda on some people’s DIY skin treatments. Proceed with caution, dear reader.)

Or why not splurge some of the cash you’ve been saving by being stuck inside all the time on something like the Light Hydrating Moisturiser.

This moisturiser is jammed full of powerful antioxidants and botanicals like aloe vera juice and apricot kernel oil. Gentle enough for even the most sensitive of skin types, it is also alcohol-free and vegan friendly.

At-home workout/yoga

Doing something physical every day will help you from feeling lethargic and depressed from lying on the couch all day. (Not that we don’t enjoy doing that).Exercising is a great way to get endorphins pumping and boost your mental mood.

We know that being stuck in isolation is arguably the best and worst time to start up an exercise regime. On the one hand, you don’t have to worry about anyone seeing you look sweaty. But you also can’t show off your results to anyone. (Actually, there’s still Instagram. Never mind.)

No weights at home? No problem. There are a plethora of free bodyweight exercises for all levels and all disciplines on YouTube. Check out Carling Nicole or Kinoyoga for some great motivation.