SELF CARE DURING LOCKDOWN

This has to be my most thought about blog ever, I really wanted to get this blog right, and hopefully help some of you who do struggle with self care.
This time in Quarantine has been hard for everyone in many different ways, for me personally self care is something I turn to when I can feel myself needing a lift, so here are some of my best self care ideas, and I honestly hope they may help.
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1- Disconnect from Socials-
Social media, the news, group chats.. basically anything that isn't making you feel good. I noticed early on during lockdown that socials had a lot of scaremongering going on and this was feeding to the anxiety I was already feeling, so I switched off and I still take 'time out' now. We cannot control what is happening in the world, but we can control how we respond to it. However hard it may feel right now, trying to be optimistic about the future, and focusing on the positives will help.
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2- Exercise 
Go for a run, take an online class, turn up your favourite music and dance! Exercise may not normally be your thing, but it does make you feel instantly better, its so rewarding mentally and physically. Try it and find what works for you!

3- Read a Book-
If there was ever a time to get lost in another world then this is it! Lose yourself in a book and notice how good it feels to not be thinking about our own reality for a while. Here are some of my favourite reads at the moment-
Where the Crawdads sing- Delia Owens
Unconditional Life- Deepak Chopra,M.D

4- Hair and Skin care 
I may do a separate blog on this as I have so much to say! Investing in your hair and skin care can make such a difference. We may not be able to get to the hair salon or go for a facial, but the money were saving there can be spent on products we may not normally indulge in. Buy a Hair masque, grab a bottle of olaplaex and care for your hair whilst its not being coloured. Buy an overnight oil to nourish your skin! Cult beauty is my favourite online shop to browse for skin and haircare. Here is a selection of products I have Indulged in and would highly recommend-
Wishful Yo Glow Enzyme Scrub
Olaplaex Number 3 Hair perfector
Coco& Eve Nourishing Hair Mssque.

5- Have a picnic in the Sunshine
One of my favourite things to do with my little boy! We grab all our favourite foods and head to the park, beach, or just the garden, and spend time together in the sunshine. The Sun always makes us feel instantly lifted, so let's hope the good weather continues.

6- Start a hobby
Is there something you've always wanted to do and never had the time? here's your chance to do it! A lot of friends I know have started crafting, running, learning an instrument, learning another language, drawing, whatever it may be, you now have the opportunity to throw yourself into something new.

7- Music
Music is an instant mood booster. I've even started playing Jazz in the evenings and pretending Im in a swanky city hotel somewhere (we can dream hey!)

8-Talk to a friend
Talking to friends always gives you a boost, and it will give your friend a boost too! We all need to stay connected.

9- clean and organise your house 
A clean and organised house instantly makes your mind feel a little calmer, and is the perfect rainy day job.
If you have wanted to redecorate or finish a house/garden project that you started then now you can. Just simply shifting furniture around can also make the house feel refreshed and new.

10- Take a Bath
Light some candles, pop in some bubble bath, put some music on, grab your favourite hair & skincare products and relax... 

Please be kind to yourselves right now, the world may feel crazy and scary but we cannot change that. We are all trying our best and some days our best is simply getting out of bed... and that's ok. 

If you have any more self care ideas I would love to hear them! Leave a comment so that others can read them too.

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