If you’re reading this,
We’re in a strange time. Most of us have been advised to quarantine and stay home, not to leave unless for essential trips or fresh air away from others. There have been mass lay-offs, stores are closed, wearing a mask is no longer frowned upon and it’s hard to avoid sensational news headlines.
Naturally, some days I’m fine and some days I feel a total sense of unrest. I thought I’d share five tips that have worked for me to feel fab during quarantine, even for a little while. Don’t worry, I won’t tell you to drink water and exercise because BORING. That’s like telling people they shouldn’t drink alcohol: people will do what they want to do. Below are my five (approachable) tips to feel fab during quarantine.
QUARANTINE TIP ONE: TURN NEWS ALERTS OFF YOUR PHONE
We already know we need to stay inside and be away from others, wash our hands, social distance, etc. What I find super unnecessary and anxiety inducing is how my iPhone sends push notifications every few hours with Coronavirus news updates. Often, they are super click-baity and don’t serve my well-being whatsoever.
It’s easy enough to get the latest headlines by swiping left on my iPhone or opening the News app. Having my phone pinging me in the middle of my day to let me know more cases/deaths are reported is downright depressing. There’s frankly nothing I can do about it beyond following our governments guidelines to quarantine. I’m doing everything I personally can in this very moment to stay safe, and sometimes, especially when I’m trying to go about my day with positivity, ignorance is bliss.
QUARANTINE TIP TWO: ACCOMPLISH ONE THING
Human beings need a purpose. We need to feel like we’ve accomplished something and have a reason to get out of bed each day. Without a sense of purpose, it’s so easy to feel hopeless and depressed somedays. Now is the time to work on something you’ve been neglecting for months or even years. Think of either creating something or doing something that you will be proud of.
This doesn’t have to be anything big! You can re-organize your closet, start a blog or website site hustle, complete a home workout challenge, edit vacation videos you’ve been neglecting, play the piano that’s collecting dust in your apartment or even bake cinnamon buns for the first time!! Look inside yourself and find what brings you that sense of accomplishment outside of your job and use that drive. Accomplishing even one thing will lead to a snowball effect of more productivity which ultimately ups your mood.
QUARANTINE TIP THREE: MAKE YOUR HOME YOUR OASIS
This relates to tip two. You’re stuck there anyways, why not spend this time to make your home your sanctuary? Obviously for those of you struggling right now, putting in a massive spring awakening Wayfair order is gonna have to wait. But there are many other cheap or even free ways to spruce up your home and make it feel spring-ready. For example, I got a bunch of plants for my indoors and balcony because A: plants are super homey, B: they purify the air, and C: being a good plant mom and watching living things thrive is uplifting!
Other ways you can spruce up your home include going through your storage and rotating seasonal accent pieces, clean surfaces you usually neglect (I literally windexed my windows and the stuff that came off of them was BLACK!), get cheap candle lanterns for a patio/balacony/window sill off Amazon. Candlelight is so homey and calming, and it brightens an outdoor space and makes your home feel bigger.
QUARANTINE TIP FOUR: HAVE A BATH AND GET TAKEOUT
….literally at the same time. I did this quarantine tip last week and it was fucking awesome. Chicken strips with extra fries and extra dips, with a side salad (didn’t eat the salad). Find me one person who wouldn’t enjoy cuing up their fave show in a bubble bath while stuffing their face. I’m waiting. Quarantine blues be gone! It’s also relatively inexpensive to order in since a lot of places are doing free delivery now too. Just make sure to tip the driver and get contactless delivery.
QUARANTINE TIP FIVE: SELF TAN AND GLOW
I don’t know about you but when I have a glow on and a some colour in my skin, I feel WAY more attractive and just in a good mood. You can pick up a self-tan from the drugstore or order online- I love the Jergens Extra Dark Tanning Mousse– it’s also super budget friendly. I’ve been using this as an alternative to my fabulous but pricey OG fave- St. Tropez Self Tan Express.
For daytime, I love to add an illuminating product in with my Guerlain Tinted Skincare Jelly. Every time my face catches the light I just feel good, even if I’m alone. And if I’m feeling really good maybe I’ll take some pics! Now is the time…may as well! Some favourite glow products include the Kaja Dream Puff Radiant Mousse Primer, Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter (see my review here) or the Marc Jacobs Dew Drops Coconut Gel Highlight (see that review here). Feeling extra good? Throw on a luxury lipstick for the store such as the Gucci Beauty Rouge a Levres Satin Lipstick.
THE TAKEAWAY
If there’s anything you take away from this article, it’s to take dinner baths, create projects and to glow whenever you damn well please in your home oasis. With these tips, you’ll be feeling better during quarantine in no time.
xo J
Interested in another self-help read? Be sure to also check out my popular post, “5 Things You Are Doing to Sabotage Your Vibe”.
I love these ideas. Will definitely be needing some fake tan!! Lol. Thanks for sharing.
Author
Thanks for reading babe! Amen sis, it’ll be summer before we know it anyway. 🙂
Washing my hair is my number one way! I’ve been letting it go far too many days without a wash lol.
These are amazing ideas. Quarantine sucks, you are right these are strange times. I have totally turned off news notifications just adds to the stress. Thanks for sharing.
Author
Thanks for stopping by babe! xo
Oh my goodness. I didn’t know I could turn off those push notifications. Every time I get one I just get mad. If I wanted an update I would look.
Author
Yes turn them off babe your sanity will thank you 🙂
Yessssss to plants! I couldn’t agree more, my garden is my ultimate happy place and where I can feel all my stresses melting away. I’m not so good at pampering myself though, so your tip about fake tan is food for thought! Stay safe, J xx
Author
Gardening is so therapeutic I agree!! And yes try the tan! xo
I’m a big fan of bubble baths and takeaway but have never tried them together, haha! It actually sounds like a genius idea and something I must try at least once during this quarantine 😀 Limiting news is so important too, as it can all get so overwhelming! Thanks for sharing your suggestions, fab post! <3 xx
Bexa | http://www.hellobexa.com
Author
You must try the bubble bath and takeout babe it’s life changing!!!! hahaha. Thanks for reading 🙂
I love all of these tips on feeling great during lockdown. It is important to have the right atmosphere. We don’t know how long we will be under lockdown for, so might as well make the most out of it. Ooooh! I love the glow part!! Thanks for sharing all of these great tips!
Nancy ♥ exquisitely.me
Author
Thanks for reading babe! And yes the right atmosphere is so important! xo
I absolutely loved reading this post! I hope you’re doing well! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
melissakacar.blogspot.com
Author
Thanks for stopping by babe! 🙂
I agree with these tips you’re sharing!! I turned off notifications for pretty much every app. I am all about treating yourself with takeout once in a while. Thanks for sharing!
Nancy ♥ exquisitely.me
I love these ideas! I have definitely been taking a lot more relaxing baths with bath bombs and bath salts as a way to pamper myself right now. And I love your ideas about using self tanner and take out! I will have to do that as well!
Great tips! I think we all need this!
Author
Thank you babe! Yes, trying to give some positivity to the world right now. xo
Great ideas. I don’t do the news and some people think it’s crazy but I feel like I’m still stuck home most of the time so what’s the difference?! It’s not going to change my day or what I’m doing. I think I will take you advice on the self tanning though. A tan ALWAYS makes me feel good. Thanks!
Author
Exactly!!! We can’t change anything that we read in these click-bait headlines so why stress over it? And yes, try the Jergens! It’s great 🙂
I really love these tips
Author
Thanks for stopping by!
I love these! I’m definitely going to be working on making my home my sanctuary.
Author
yes the home being a space of sanctuary is so key here! xo
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I love this! Now I have plenty of things to do to stay busy at home! 🙂
Author
Right!! Definitely do takeout in the bath 🙂