2020 has, for lack of a better term, has turned most of us into homebodies. I don’t think I’ve ever got to know my house as well as I have in these last few months, or would never have imagined just how clean it could be with everyone stuck indoors too (by the way, if you feel you need to give your home a good tidy up, read this recent article on 20 Hacks To Keep the House Tidy for Those Who Hate Cleaning).
And while it’s nice to keep a clean and tidy house, you also need to keep your body & mind in check too. I’m sure most of us are feeling cooped up like chickens these last few months and have probably felt a little tetchy from to time. To help avoid feeling frustrated or stressed out in the one place you really shouldn’t be, I’ve been leaning on carrying out self-care as much as possible.
Many people have the misconception that self-care practices include yoga every day, drinking green smoothies and lighting candles in every room. It couldn’t be further from the truth. To show you how easy it is, here are some of the ways I’ve been employing a little more self-care at home.
Buying Better Coffee
No more morning commutes mean no more stopping off in Starbucks for freshly brewed coffee. If you were like me and only kept instant coffee at home because you’d only need it once in a blue moon, you may have realized just how much you were spending on coffee every morning.
Take those savings and get yourself some fancier coffee. A coffee pot is so easy to get from the likes of Amazon, and you’ll be surprised at how cheap a bag of freshly ground coffee from a local roaster can be. Trust me; it’s a much better way to start the day than a spoonful of instant.
New Bed Sheets
It’s not that I’m spending more time in bed but being at home means you’ll end up finding yourself in your bedroom more often. There’s no better way to get excited about something as mundane as going to bed as having fresh new sheets. Even getting a few sheets from the back of the cupboard and giving them a good clean before letting them dry outside in the summer air is magical.
Ron Swanson Reading Bedtime Stories
Speaking of going to bed, do you feel like every night you’re taking the weight of the world on your shoulders up to bed with you? I sometimes feel a little overwhelmed and while down a YouTube rabbit hole one night, I got an ad for Nick Offerman (Ron from Parks and Rec) to read bedtime stories for adults.
It was for an app called Calm, where you listen to soft voices that help you relax. I used it on a free trial, and there are lots of free alternatives out there; just for any apps or playlists on Spotify of people reading in sleeping podcasts. You’ll be surprised just how quickly it knocks you out.
Glasses to Help My Brain Know It’s Bedtime
I’m guessing your home is like mine and everyone is always on their phones and tablets. Add into that the time spent on the laptop working from home, and you have eyes that are under strain. Our devices emit artificial blue light; something that is great to get naturally from the sun outside in the daytime, but not good when our eyes get it from technology at night.
It’s like the light is sending a signal to your brain that it is always time to stay awake. A cheap pair of Kanturo blue light glasses can help block blue light exposure and help your brain wind down naturally in the evening time.
Face Masks, Lots of Face Masks
No, I’m not talking about face masks you need to wear when outside, but those pampering masks you can have on when saying indoors. I’ve been taking this time to really pay attention to my skin, and I think you should too.
Whether it’s wearing those Japanese style paper masks, applying some charcoal scrub, or throwing on a cleansing mask, get the whole family involved and treat it like a family spa session.
Having a happy home
I hope you enjoyed this article on self-care tips while stuck at home. If you’re after more practical tips, please check out the latest home life posts on the blog.
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