These past few months have been tough on some people, with many of us in lockdown. Even if restrictions are easing in some parts of the world, we are still spending more time at home than usual. So why not make the most of it by practicing self-care? That wasn’t hard for me to write this list, as being a rather introvert person, I’ve always loved to spend time by myself in the comfort of my own home. I don’t have any problem to keep being busy, even when not putting one foot outside the door. So, I hope this will give you some ideas to practice self-care at home!
Create a nice atmosphere
First of all, when you are spending time at home, there is nothing like making your interior warm and welcoming. Whether it is by lighting up a nice candle, using an oil diffuser to make your room smell amazing, or even by buying a bunch of flowers: just do whatever it takes to make your place feel cozier.
Watch a movie or binge-watch a new TV show
This is my ideal kind of night: find a good movie to watch on Netflix or Stan, getting myself wrapped in a blanket, clear up my mind and enjoy it. If you are looking for inspiration, check out five of my favourite shows to watch at the moment here.
Read a book or do some writing
Reading is one of the activities I love the most, as well as the most relaxing (you can check out my latest book review here). If this is not your thing, try writing instead. Whenever you feel overwhelmed, just write down your feelings or whatever is bothering you. It is a great way to help to clear your mind. Otherwise, there is another thing which is pretty popular nowadays: make a grateful list. It means listing everything you are lucky to have in your life. For example, mine would be that I am lucky to be healthy (as well as my loved ones), I am lucky to live in Australia, I am lucky to have a job. This will help you put things into perspective, and make you appreciate the little things in life that many people don’t have.
Do a face mask
Sand and Sky pink clay mask is my latest favourite since I received it in one of my Bellabox. I have to say that I was a bit skeptical about all the hype around this product, and especially the before and after pictures that I could see on Instagram. My skin always becomes reddish and feels a bit uneven during winter, so that was the perfect season to try it. After three applications on my T zone, I could see that it minimizes my pores and my skin became visibly smoother. Another good point: the product is natural, vegan, and cruelty-free. If you are looking for something less pricey, another great brand is Sukin, which is offering masks for every skin type.
Organize your closet
I am not sure if this is a popular one, but I just love the feeling of accomplishment after a good cleaning up or decluttering session. Whether it is your clothes cupboard, your bathroom cabinet, or your makeup bag, getting rid of things that you don’t need (or don’t use anymore) is a surprisingly good thing to do. Just get rid of things that you kept “just in case”. Without being obsessed with cleanliness, I like my place to be tidy. I hate the feeling of looking for something and not being able to find it, that’s why regular decluttering is the best way to prevent this. And as you probably know, your physical environment is a key factor in your wellbeing.
Listen to music or podcast
Listening to your favourite songs is a great way to release pressure: it is even better if you throw some dance moves in there. If you are looking for something more relaxing, why not find a podcast? The one I prefer is from Rachael Kable, who treats a lot of interesting mindfulness subjects (here). Otherwise, if like me you are experiencing travel wanderlust, Flight of fancy is the best, talking about top destinations to visit and giving lots of helpful travel tips.
Exercise
Working out is also a great way to take care of yourself, and it doesn’t have to be intense (unless it is how you like to exercise). I wrote an article lately about my top 4 youtube channels to workout at home, in case you are looking for ideas. If you want something more gentle, yoga is a great way to move your body and to relax it as well: you’ll find plenty of videos online!
Have a nice drink
Why would you need to go outside when you can do it from your own couch? Just enjoy a nice beverage, whether it is tea, a glass of Pinot Noir, or a Margarita (my favourite)! Except for green tea, drink everything else with moderation, of course!
Eat your favourite food
If you feel like cooking, just bake a cake or whatever your best homemade recipe is. Mine would be an apple crumble or a brownie for sure. Otherwise, the ultimate self-care treat could be to get some food delivered. There are hundreds of options out there, and during this pandemic time, it is a great excuse to indulge yourself. A lot of fancy restaurants that never offered it before are now doing take away or delivery: this is probably the best way to try amazing food from the comfort of your own home.
Catch up on sleep
Adults need between seven and nine hours of sleep every night. However, if you have a busy schedule, you probably have shorter nights. That is why you should use your quiet time to go to bed early, or have a nap. It doesn’t have to last for hours, even a power nap of 20 minutes is enough to give you a boost of energy. Just take the time to get a good rest whenever you can.
I hope that this list gave you lots of ideas to practice self-care at home.