Things to do during Lockdown

Good Morning,

We’re spending another bank holiday under lockdown although I think some companies have changed it to Friday 8th May instead of today. Either way, for most people it’s just another day stuck at home. I thought it might be helpful to share some things I’ve found to help keep me occupied / distracted during this strange time. I’ve been fortunate enough to still be working and kept busy during the weekdays however I’ve had good days and bad days as I’m sure most people have.

1. Daily Walk

Even if you’re not someone who would normally go for a walk or partake in regular exercise I’d recommend getting out and getting fresh air even if it’s only for a 10 minute circle round the block. I recently went 12 consecutive days without leaving the house and I was feeling so drained, lethargic and generally couldn’t be bothered to do anything. It’s only when I finally broke the cycle and went for a short walk on the spur of the moment one afternoon that I realised how important it is to continue a routine of getting out for a short walk each day. It’s one of those things that helps after the event and I find I’m more focused, productive and less anxious after a short wander.

2. Music

This can be tied into the one above as it’s good to listen to music while walking but I’ve also found having uplifting music on in the background at home has really helped. When I watched the Together at Home stream hosted by Global Citizen (album now available on Spotify etc) I discovered Sebastian Yatra, a Colombian singer. I don’t know exactly what it is about Latin American music, probably the catchy beats and association with holidays but it has the ability to lift my mood immediately. Robarte Un Beso is a particular favourite from Sebastian and I’d recommend trying it if you’re fed up or getting bored of listening to the same playlists over and over again. I’ve also been searching my favourite artists on YouTube and watching live performances or looking back through videos I’ve taken myself from concerts and gigs. Some artists have been doing their own Insta Live gigs from home which I’ve been enjoying and it’s a way of connecting directly with fans. I’m a huge fan of live music and unfortunately it’s something that’s unlikely to return any time soon so enjoying it in this way is as close as I’m going to get at the moment.

3. Puzzles

If you follow me on Instagram you’ll have seen my struggle with the puzzle I recently completed. It looked like such a pretty picture and I thought it would be a cathartic process, doing a little bit each day and slowly seeing it come together. Well in actual fact it turned into a 3 day race to complete which says more about my competitiveness than anything else. What I will say is it’s definitely the most I’ve concentrated on something for a very long time. I was hardly on my phone those 3 days and I wasn’t constantly looking for snacks as I was totally distracted. I also used parts of my brain I probably haven’t used in a while either which isn’t a bad thing. All in all I’d recommend it if you are getting overwhelmed or feeling fed up. It’s a great way to switch off from everything else that’s going on and makes the time pass very quickly.

4. At Home Spa Treatments 

There’s nothing better than a little indulgence. I’ve been enjoying my Foreo UFO Treatment Mask twice a week and working my way through my supply of Sephora Lavender Foot Masks. These are my all time favourite and I always stock up when I travel. Thankfully I managed to pick some up in Venice although at the rate I’m going at, I’ll run out soon. I’ll need to try and find some alternatives available to order online. I’ve also been indulging in hot baths with my favourite salts. Of course none of these are the same as a Spa Day but it helps lift spirits and makes me feel more relaxed.

5. Watch Elephant on Disney+

I’m not in any way affiliated with Disney, if anything I’m very late to the party but I can assure you it’s worth signing up for the 7 day free trial or using a friend or family members login simply to watch the Elephant documentary and the behind the scenes of how it was made. It’s easily one of the best things I’ve ever seen and my only regret is not watching it sooner. It’s something that will take your mind away from the current crisis and leaves you with a warm fuzzy feeling.

That’s my top recommendations for keeping occupied. I wanted to make sure I included things you might not have explored yet and could be done by everyone regardless of where you live or whether you have access to a garden etc.

xo!