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Hi everyone and happy quarantine!

(Wow, that sounds weird.)  I hope everyone is staying safe and healthy during this difficult time. I’m sure a lot of you are either working from home or not working at all right now. Some are enjoying this time off and others, are going absolutely crazy. 

Due to the fact that I have worked from home (with my regular day job) for a while now, I’ve decided to put together some pointers that I hope will help some of you out during this quarantine. Working from home seems, in theory, like it would be amazing.  But in reality a lot of people struggle with being at home all the time and find it very depressing. Honestly, so did I at first. It wasn’t easy and I needed to make sure that I was implementing some sort of routine in my day or else, I knew I was going to go crazy. 

 

1. Wake up at the same time from Monday to Friday.

Set an alarm! One of the biggest things that is throwing people off during this quarantine is the schedule change. A lot of us went from having to wake up at 6 am, get ready, go to work and head out for the day to sleeping in until 2 pm. We were living in a set schedule and though we found some days hard, the schedule was good for us. Waking up at the same time at least 5 days a week implements that schedule and helps us feel more fulfilled in a day.

I have some friends who (since losing their jobs) have started staying up until 4 am in the morning. This throws off your circadian rhythm and causes depression/anxiety and so much more. Especially if you’re someone who has suffered with anxiety before hand (check out methods here to help with your anxiety) a set schedule will be very beneficial.

That being said, allow yourself to still have your weekends to relax and sleep in. But, Mondays to Fridays set a schedule. Whether it’s waking up at 7 am or at 9 am, wake up at the same time during the week days and you are sure to start feeling better.

2. Shower in the AM rather than in the PM.

Growing up I used to look forward to my night time shower. After my shower, I would get into my pyjamas, braid my hair and get cosy into bed. Though there are benefits to a nighttime shower, during quarantine a morning shower is best. Morning showers are known to help wake you up and get you feeling energized for your day (and also helps stimulate your lymphatic system!) 

During quarantine, I have started forcing myself to get in the habit of showering in the morning. I have found it has benefited my overall mood for the day and helped me feeling like I have a purpose again. It sounds like something small but once I made the change, I found a significant difference. Also, it forces you to get ready and dressed for the day.

3. Change your outfit every morning. Do not stay in pyjama’s all day!

I know. This probably seems like the easiest of answers but I have to say that most people during this quarantine have been living in the same outfit for weeks. We’ve seen it on all social media platforms, people are making fun of how they have been wearing the same sweater for a week straight. As great as this may seem (but really, it doesn’t seem that great at all..) it’s time to change your clothes. 

After your morning shower, get a new outfit ready and change it up. Have a day where you wear jeans or on Wednesdays, wear pink (I needed to add a mean girls reference, it just felt right!). It doesn’t matter WHAT you wear as long as you are changing out of your sleepwear and into a new outfit everyday. Trust me when I tell you, you will feel refreshed and ready for the day. Even if the only person who see’s your outfit is your dog! Please, change out of your PJs. 

4. Make your bed.

A simple and old trick that will definitely get you feeling better during quarantine. Though it may have been annoying hearing your parents tell you every morning to make your bed, there are benefits – other than just starting your day off right! Studies have shown that making your bed in the morning encourages you to keep the rest of your room tidy, which is linked to helping people feel more organized and stress-free. Which, in turn improves your overall mood!

When you force yourself to start a chore (if you want to call it that) in the morning, it will lead to a more productive day. Studies have shown that making your bed actually makes you feel accomplished. Something so little in the morning goes a long way. Also, there is nothing better than a nicely made bed. Am I right? All of these little actions build to help you feel better in the long run. Which is essential right now. Quarantine has us feeling down and depressed, we need to do everything to turn that around. 

5. Go for a walk.

Probably one of the best advices I can give out. If you’re staying inside your home 24/7 you WILL go insane. Get outside and get a change of scenery. There is nothing that will uplift your mood more than mother nature herself. Whether you live in the city or country, try to find a 5km walk where you can stay 6ft away from others and take time to walk through nature. Other than the benefits from a walk itself, getting out of the house will do you wonders.

I always try to hit at least 10 000 steps per day to maintain my weight, physical activity and just stay healthy. Sometimes this can be hard if you have a lot going on in a day but walking isn’t the only way you can hit these steps! If you can’t leave the house or can’t go out for a walk in a safe area, jumping rope is just as effective! This is the one I use:  

6. Declutter your workspace.

In the case you are still working but working from home, this is going to be something essential for you. At the end of every day make sure you are cleaning up and your space is cleared and ready for the next day. Clutter has been proven to amplify anxiety and depression. In order to maintain a good mind set, clean up your space. You will feel as though you can think more clearly and more efficiently. Your mood will be uplifted and overall, feeling much happier. This is one of the most essential things if you’re working from home during quarantine. 

For those interested, I read the book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing. A really great read that will help you declutter your life. After reading this book I found myself going through everything and re organizing all my cupboards/closets and bedrooms. It felt great (and also another great thing to do during quarantine). 

Here is the book, I got it off amazon if any of you are interested: 

7. Listen to the radio/ Play some music.

Last but not least, music. Music is the gateway to your soul, some say.  After a couple of weeks in quarantine, I decided to turn the radio back on. For those that are used to their morning commute where they listen to the radio or their favourite playlist, trying turning the radio on in the morning. It will help you get back into your morning groove while also making you feel like you’re back to the commuting life. (Maybe this is a good thing?) If you’re not working, turning on the radio or listening to some music rather than watching Netflix all day WILL get you up and feeling better. 

 

I hope that you are all staying healthy and safe during this time. I would have never predicted that our year would turn to this but I am here to help you all stay happy and sane during this quarantine. These 7 methods are sure to help you get back into your normal habits and may even lead to new and healthier habits. It’s time to slow down and smell the roses. 

Let me know if you have gotten the chance to try any of these methods out and don’t forget to comment below to tell me how it went! I would love to hear how these all worked out for you. 

Love always, 

Annie 

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