When times are tough it’s easy to give up and indulge in pastimes that feel like quick wins but end up making you feel pretty dreadful. I’m all for a glass of wine (or two) by the fire on a cold, dark winter’s evening but they say it’s all about balance, so here are my fave ways to relax, calm my busy mind and look after myself when times are tough.
1. A Sleep Meditation
For when you find it difficult to get to sleep because your thoughts are racing.
I stumbled across this sleep meditation on Trinny’s YouTube Channel. If you are surprised to see the words ‘meditation’ and ‘Trinny’ in the same sentence, don’t worry. The meditation is actually led by a guy called Sanjai. His voice is incredibly calming. It helps you to ‘shed’ the day to clear your mind. Forward to 4 mins 30 if you want to skip the preamble. This mediation has worked for me every single time – except for the time I was sleeping in a tent in my friend’s garden in a thunderstorm. I’m never-camping-again.
2. MOVE YOUR BODY
Wonderful yoga movement to avoid aches and pains and to increase your strength.
Around twenty years ago I worked in glossy magazines with the brilliant Tania of Tania Brown Yoga. I discovered her online yoga classes during the last lockdown and got into a routine of moving my body most days. Tania shares short, targeted classes as well as longer ones that work your whole body. I’m determined to get back to regular stretching and support my mind and my body through the next few weeks.
3. Lavish Hand Cream
Give your hands some love and attention and support a small UK business.
I shared this simply gorgeous hand cream by Taylor Made Therapies not that long ago but it’s worth another mention. I’ve had a pot of Lavish Hand Cream on my desk for several weeks now and I use throughout the day. It contains no nasties, the essential oil blend can reduce anxiety and it contains frankincense which boosts the immune system. And the smell is incredible.
4. A Side-Splitting TV series.
Have you discovered Schitt’s Creek on Netflix yet?
This brilliant series might not be to everyone’s taste but it’s one of the few tv shows that makes me laugh out loud several times each episode. If you are going to give it a go, get through the first two. We almost gave up after the first. By the third, we were firmly committed and are now watching several a night – which is easy to do because there are 80 short episodes over 6 series. Laughter is so good for the soul.
5. A Healthy, Delicious and Quick-To-Make Snack
I know that many people can’t help but snack their way through lockdown. Try these easy to make no-bake energy bites.
Here’s the link, the vanilla almond ones are a favourite in this house. Keep them in the fridge – they are so much nicer cold.
I hope that at least one of these ideas will bring some comfort or joy to your time in lockdown.
Please share your ideas in the comments and together we can get through these next few weeks with more ease.
Sending you love,
Helen x
Thank you for this Helen I’ve been working from home since March, sat at the kitchen table like so many of us. My job is really stressful some days and I’ve found getting outside into the garden for fresh air and sun most days is vital for my mental health. Even just 10 minutes a day makes a difference which I can feel xxx
Yes that’s a great tip Nickiy. I used to limit my walks to dry weather but since a very wet and rainy week in the Lake District taught me that nothing TERRIBLE will happen if you walk in the rain, I’m trying to do it every day!
Thanks for the tips Helen, they’re very useful. I’d also recommend the use of the citrus essential oils to boost your mood. Bergamot is particularly useful at this time of year when we get less sunlight, and I find Lime a gentler but still invigorating alternative to Lemon. A vaporiser or burner is really useful when you’re at home, but if you don’t have one then a couple of drop of oil on a paper tissue placed on your radiator can be a good substitute. The citrus oils are also good immune boosters, which can be helpful at the time of year.
Brilliant, thank you Wendy, and that’s a low cost way to feel good too. x
Schitts creek is the funniest series I’ve watched in forever. I’ve also found having an essential oil diffuser in the bedroom is helping me sleep better. It emits a gentle mist of essential oil mixed with water so it keeps the air from drying out, particularly helpful when the heating has been on
Great tip thank you Donna. And glad you find Schitts Creek as hilarious as I do!