1. Home spa
We all need some deluxe in your life from time to time. In many places over the world, spas have been closed because of covid. Luckily for us, arranging a little spa moment at home is quite easy. For example, while you are having a shower, you can get rid of dead skin cells with a body scrub. After the shower, moisturize your skin with coconut oil or your favorite body lotion. Most of us have some cleansing face masks on our bathroom shelves. Use those or make your own! There are tons of Youtube videos on how to make a face mask from everyday kitchen items. To complete the spa moment, do a manicure and pedicure. My personal favorite is to do rainbow nails. I wear different pastel colors nail polish on every nail. If I want to be more subtle, French nails work every time!
Massage isn’t the easiest task to do yourself, but you can try to get rid of the worst muscle tensions with a yoga roll or tennis ball. If you have a spouse, ask them to massage you. From my experience head and foot massages are the most relaxing ones. I also recommend using a heating pack on your shoulders if you have muscle tension or headaches. Just warm it in the microwave for few seconds and relax. Heating packs are fairly easy to make by yourself with some rice or beans if you don’t have one.
2. Wear your favorite clothes
Covid has forced most of us office workers to work from home. Unless we have video meetings all day long, we tend to wear only comfortable clothes. In other words, our favorite sweatpants and hoodies. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that! But wearing my softest sweatpants doesn’t boost my confidence either. I don’t feel like the boss when my hair bun is falling to pieces. If you can relate, I suggest you do what I did and go through your wardrobe.
The other day I found myself trying on my favorite clothes in front of the mirror. And there was the queen bee again! Especially my pink summer dress hit a home run for me. I ended up having a little fashion show with my favorite pieces. In nutshell, it was fun, I felt like myself again and I ended up taking few less worn items to recycle. So little bit KonMari at the same time.
3. Make-up time
Do you have some make-up that you haven’t got the chance to try on yet? Now is your chance. During the quarantine, I have learned how to do eyeshadow and eyeliner properly. (Or at least a lot better than I used to.) Watch Youtube videos and learn tips and tricks from Pros! If you already know all the basics inside and out, give yourself a challenge and learn how to do something spectacular like butterfly wings or flower make-up. Imagination has no limits!
What is your favorite hairstyle? Do you like to straighten your hair or do beautiful braids or curl them? You can go with the look that always works for you or learn something new. If you take the time to learn now, you have mastered a new hairstyle before “post covid”. When you are rocking your look, take a selfie to remember it.
4. Friends & Wine
The most classic way to “meet” friends during the covid is most definitely video chat. Even though it is not the same as hugging your friends in person it gets us through the worst pain of loneliness. It makes the conversation much more lifelike when you see a person’s facial impressions rather than just hearing their voice on phone.
Before chat, open a good bottle of wine, make your favorite cocktail or mocktail, or grab a glass of coconut water. (Whatever works for you). Then get to the most comfortable seat at your house. Or if you have family, just find some peaceful corner where you can have you-time with your friends. Place the camera so you don’t have to hold it in your hands. And then it’s time to relax and enjoy the evening with your favorite people.
5. Bake a cake for no reason
I have been thought to think that pies, cakes, and other sweet things are just for holidays & parties. But lately, I have realized that I can bake a cake for absolutely no reason and share it with family & loved ones. One of my friends told me how her daughter once asked: mommy can we bake a love cake! Well, who can say no to love cake? And CAKE can be anything you find delicious. Maybe you like chocolate, banana pancakes, pies, or berry smoothies.
Baking a cake is fun, but the best part is to share it with loved ones. If you live alone and you have more cake than you can eat by yourself, donate a piece or two. Do you have a nice neighbor or some old lady or gentlemen who live close to you? You could make their day by dropping a piece of pie or cake behind their door. If you want to make it extra special, write a note with it. Maybe something like: You are important to me. Stay safe. We get through this together. Or maybe just have a lovely day
6. Dance like nobody is watching
Have a silent disco by yourself! Put on your headphones and start listening to the most awesome party hits of all time. Close your eyes and go with the flow. I guarantee you can’t stay put for long! If you want some challenge, get a mirror and check out your moves! You can practice seductive eye contact with your reflection. Trust me, this is so much fun! I can’t do this without laughing. And it’s good to keep your game fresh and your body flexible for the time, we can go out again. By the way, if you want nobody to see, remember to close the curtains 😉
7. Relax with an audiobook and cup of tea
Some days we need more relaxed fun. Those days I tend to find myself sitting at the corner of my sofa, a warm blanket pulled to cover my feet. Books and audiobooks are great for those moments. Audiobooks are my recent favorites because I can only close my eyes and let the story take me far far away.
If you do this during a day (maybe having a bit of relaxation in the middle of a busy workday) have a cup of hot coffee or tea. By the time you finish your drink, you have usually cleared your mind for the most hassle. Then with a few deep breathes you are ready to continue working.
8. Good food makes a happier person
We have this saying in Finland “Good food makes a happier person”. And I have learned it to be true almost every time! When to covid restrictions gets to your nerves and life seems difficult, cook your favorite food. No matter if it´s pizza, sushi, or mac & cheese. Doing your favorite things and eating your favorite food is going to make you feel happier for sure.
You may also cook meals that are related to good memories. Maybe your family used to make steaks with pepper sauce when it was time to celebrate, or your granny made the best apple pie for you when you were young, or maybe you ate the best hot pot meals when you backpacked through Asia. Make your version of those happy meals, and if you can, share them with your family. At the same time, you are making new happy memories.
9. Movie marathon with a friend
If your local restrictions make it possible, invite a friend over. If it is not possible, do not worry, you can still have a movie marathon remotely. Decide together what (movies or series) you are going to watch and start at the same time. You can either have video chat open or you can message each other when something spectacular happens. For example when Chris Evans walks into the scene wearing nothing but an acoustic guitar to cover his jewels in the movie What’s your number? Or when the boss-lady Lagertha is kicking some ass in Vikings. I know a remote movie marathon is not ideal, but as always, it gets us through the worst times.
10. Secret garden
If you have a garden, spend some time gardening. It is good for your body and soul. I suggest you purchase perennials, so you don’t have to plant everything again next spring. Bring your yard furniture from the garage or buy the ones you like from a local store or order online. Make sure you also have a grill if you are a person who enjoys a good barbecue. When the summer comes, there is no better place to drink your morning coffee or enjoy an evening with friends than your garden.
If you have a balcony, you can make it your summer paradise with a few selected pieces of furniture and a handful of beautiful plants. If you are a crafty person and want to save money, you can make a pallet sofa. Don’t forget to get some beautiful outdoor lights on the wall! I suggest you plant some herbs, carrots, or potatoes in a pot. During summer you can eat healthy and fresh right from your balcony. Even if you don’t have a balcony you can still grow herbs at the sunny window.