These days, most of us are social distancing by staying at home, and it doesn’t look like things will be changing anytime soon. Although I’m a homebody and feel very fortunate to have lots of space to get outside since we live on a farm, not being able to get out can take a toll on your mental health after awhile. Here are a few little things I like to do to keep my spirits up during tough times. If you have any others to add, please share them in the comments!
Little Things That Can Lift Your Spirits When You’re Stuck at Home
Keep a daily routine
One of the best things you can do (especially if you’re working from home) is to stick to a similar daily routine. Keeping things on a schedule, even if it’s not perfect, will help maintain a sense of normalcy during uncertain times since it’s one of the few things you can control. For instance, I always get up at 6:00 in the morning—even on weekends—because it allows me some quiet time and a cup of coffee before everyone else wakes up. It may sound simple, but it really helps set the tone for the day. Schedules will also help with productivity.
Pick fresh flowers
If you have access to fresh flowers in your yard or neighborhood, picking a few blooms to display in your home is guaranteed to create a sense of calm. Now that it’s spring and everything is starting to bloom, I’ve been making little arrangements for our kitchen nonstop (and our house smells amazing!)
Start a garden
What better time is it to plant your own food, especially when so many grocery shelves are empty? My husband and I just planted our cold crops yesterday and I can’t wait to start harvesting them for homemade salads. If you don’t have much outdoor space, lots of veggies and herbs can be grown in containers (this is what I did for years until we had a permanent home with a large yard).
Try new recipes
If you suddenly find yourself with lots of free time, it’s a great opportunity to try a new recipe—especially one you’ve been putting off because it’s more time-intensive. I’m always on Pinterest finding new ideas and there’s something about a homemade meal or dessert that brings such a sense of accomplishment.
Exercise
If you’ve always been a gym-goer and can’t get there now, it’s definitely not the time to give up your workouts. Even if it’s just a walk around the block, moving daily will get those endorphins going and make you feel better. I’ve been streaming home workouts from BeachBody for the last three years and though it takes discipline to make sure it gets done, it’s SO much more convenient than going to the gym (and a whole lot cheaper!)
Have a ‘Happy Hour’
This is something my husband and I have been doing on weekends for years. In the afternoon (usually while Lila is napping), we’ll stop what we’re doing to make a cheese plate, pour a little wine, and chat. This is a great chance to unwind for a few minutes and you’ll feel like you’re at happy hour even when you’re home.
Play your favorite music
Playing your favorite tunes is guaranteed to improve your mood (and an impromptu dance party doesn’t hurt either!)
Read a book or magazine
Reading is one of the best ways to escape reality for a little while. I’m definitely guilty of spending way too much time on my phone, but one of my resolutions for this year was to try to read every evening before bed and I’ve been sticking to it on most days. These days, we’re fortunate we can download books with the click of a button online, and most local libraries also offer e-books you can check out.
