Welcome back to The Velvet Runway, where today I want to share with you my 5 Top Tips to stay sane during lockdown.
I realise that I haven’t posted for a little while. I was looking forward to updating you on my recent trip to Seville and sharing more style tips with you.
However, as we start another week of lockdown with some of us working from home, some of us unsure of our future and some of us worried about family and loved ones, that seems not only a long way off, but also a little insensitive right now.
Like me, you’re probably coming to terms with the fact that you’re about to be spending a lot more time at home for the foreseeable future.
These are un-chartered waters and when you’re not sure what the next few weeks – or even the next few days – will bring, it’s easy to feel stressed and overwhelmed.
So, I wanted to drop by and share with you my 5 tips to stay sane, calm, positive and focused during this crisis.
5 Tips to Stay Sane During Lockdown
✨ Get into a daily routine
It’s important to create certainty when you’re living in uncertain times. For me, getting into a routine helps keep me grounded and prevents me ‘freaking out’.
However, don’t beat yourself up if you don’t follow your routine 100% – it’s important to be kind to yourself too! I have days when it all feels a bit overwhelming, and the cookie jar wins out over the routine!
And I am completely breaking my routine at weekends, as otherwise I feel that every day is the same! This is even more important if you’re working from home as you need to set boundaries so your work doesn’t occupy 100% of your time.
I like to “book-end” my day by starting with a morning routine (in my case I choose to do any fitness / exercise in the morning) and ending my day with a “wind-down” routine, where I do any meditation/ journalling etc. Then whenever happens in the rest of the day, at least I am totally in control of the beginning and end of the day, which really helps me to stay sane.
✨ Learn a new skill/ Plan for the future
There is no benefit in worrying about a worst case scenario, but instead use this time to plan and prepare for the future.
What new skills or learning could you acquire? What have you always wanted to do but never had time for?
Here are a few examples of self-improvement projects you could take on:
i) take an online course in something you have always wanted to learn
ii) learn a new language
iii) write that book you always knew was inside you
iv) teach someone a new skill (online of course!)
v) finish a home decorating project
vi) landscape/redesign your garden
vii) overhaul your image / refine your style
viii) plan your next vacation for when travel becomes possible again
✨ Stay connected (virtually)
Whilst it is essential to practice social distancing physically, it is more important than ever to stay connected virtually.
We are lucky to live in an age where technology allows us to stay in contact easily. So, call/ text/ message/ skype/ hold virtual parties!
Do whatever works for you to stay in contact with your friends and family. We will get through this together!
✨ Try to stay healthy : exercise and get some fresh air
You don’t need to be able to get to the gym to get some exercise – there are lots of online fitness classes (many of which are free) that you can do at home, without the need for any equipment.
If you have a garden, then make sure to get outside and get some air. If not, then throw open the windows and/or step out onto your balcony.
✨ Practice gratitude, meditation and/or yoga
Build some time into your day to focus on calmness. Nothing will improve by living in a state of constant stress, so focus your energy on the positives. It’s important to keep your mind active and happy and to look for calm amid the chaos.
Personally, I’m focusing on spending quality time with my family, decluttering physically and mentally, spring-cleaning, taking online courses and working on projects that I didn’t have time for before.
I hope you enjoyed this feature about 5 tips to stay sane during lockdown and you can have a look here for more health and wellness inspiration.
It’s so hard to stay sane, but keeping a routine has definitely helped me xo
Makeup Muddle
Yes, a routine is so important right now xo
Hope you’re doing well!
Your tips are wonderful. I’m trying to keep busy, active and reading/listening to positive things.
http://www.fashionradi.com
So glad you like the tips Radi! I think reading and listening to positive things is so important! xo
Thanks for sharing your tips!
xoxo
Lovely
http://mynameislovely.com
Glad you liked them Lovely xoxo
I like yoga:)
https://loveonthebrainbykinga.wordpress.com/
I would love to try yoga one day, but up until now I’ve done more aerobics/ HIT. 🙂
Nice tips, it is staring to be a little boring after a month! 😉
xx
Mónica Sors
MES VOYAGES À PARIS
Yes, it seems to be going on forever! But, we need to stay positive – better days are coming 🙂
These are such a great tips. I’m doing all of them and til now things going pretty ok.
New Post – https://www.exclusivebeautydiary.com/2020/04/nikel-eye-cream-with-chestnut_10.html
So glad you found the tips helpful! Stay safe x
Getting some fresh air (and sunshine!) definitely helps keep me sane! Thanks for all the tips, babe- stay safe + well!
-Ashley
Le Stylo Rouge
Yes, fresh air and sunshine definitely help 🙂
Could you be any more beautiful? Such a great look, cutie! And I loved reading about your tips! I started gardening and planted some strawberries and tomatoes!
Be well & healthy!
xoxo, Vanessa
http://www.WhatWouldVWear.com
Thanks so much Vanessa! My husband loves gardening and has planted some tomatoes, but I think I will ask him to plant some strawberries too xoxo
I am definitely keeping myself busy by taking courses online! I like that I can track my progress and I’m also expanding my knowledge 🙂
https://www.mariannyc.com/
Totally agree! I’m taking some online courses too and have just qualified as a life coach! I love that something productive has come out of the whole situation!
Ah very inspiring and helpful, and indeed uncharted waters for sure. thanks for posting 🙂
Allie of
http://www.allienyc.com
Glad you found it helpful Allie xo
I’m looking into learning some new skills to better spend my time as well! Maybe learn or relearn a new language!
Yes, it’s the perfect time to learn a new skill or language! I’ve signed up for lots of online courses so I don’t think I’ll be able to finish them all, but I’ve prioritised them by what I want to learn right now and am working my way through them x
These are great tips! I’ve been trying out new workouts and cooking food that takes up a lot of time and prep to keep me sane!
Glad you like the tips! I’ve been cooking (and eating!) more too xo
Gorgeous post Hun, I think we could all use these tips at the moment! Hope you’re having a lovely week 🙂
Grace
Thank you Grace ! So glad you like the post x
Great tips dear. The future seems uncertain right now, but that is all the more reasons for us to prepare for it. I think that learning any new skill or a hobby can be useful on so many levels. I genuinely believe that taking a course or mastering some new skill can make us feel less apprehensive about the future. As a language teacher, I love your tip about learning a new language. This can be a great way to do it. When we have more time for something, then we can advance more quickly and that can be a great motivator for language learning. I was thinking to write a bit more about it on my blog.
I didn’t know you were a language teacher! I used to be one too before I retrained as a Personal Stylist! I think this is the perfect time to learn a new language or a new skill! Loved your book review too! xo
Amazing tips here.
Staying close to my family even if they’re far from me really help me.
And like you said it’s really important to create a daily routine. It helps to not stay in bed all day long.
xx
Margot
Thank you Margot ! I think we’re so lucky to be able to stay in touch with our families even if we’re miles away thanks to technology xo
We have the same ideas. Doing a wardrobe declutter today. And yoga keeps me sane. Stay safe Julia in these very strange times. xxxx
Thanks Hilda! I have done my wardrobe declutter, and I would love to do yoga but have never tried it before so not sure where to start! I expect you tube is a good starting point!
Great post and ideas, I took an Excel online course couple days ago (finally had time lol)
and I am planning to take the next week to redecorate my living room, definitely keeping myself busy home.
Stay safe 🙂
Sonia
http://www.soniaaicha.com
Thanks Sonia! It’s definitely a good idea to keep busy! I’ve enrolled for so many online courses I don’t know if I will ever have time to finish them all! xo
These are great suggestions Julia! We’re so lucky to have the technology to stay in touch virtually! I try to go for a long walk daily and do yoga every few days. I love the idea of taking an online class!
Jill – Doused in Pink
I’ve loved doing some online courses and have been walking around the garden 🙂
I have been trying to keep a set routine during the week and it really helps to try and be productive!
https://www.makeupmuddle.com
yes, I agree! It really helps to have a routine and a focus x
Great tips, Julia! I am working from home (and so is my husband) and we’re also homeschooling the kids, so we seem to have even less free time than before! To be honest though, it’s nice to have everyone here – and we do our best to use the time we have. We are doing a lot of cooking and baking, lots of reading, crafts and board games with the kids, and trying to get out (into our backyard) as much as possible. I would love to start planning our next trip but there’s so much uncertainty still!
Yes, there’s still a lot of uncertainty. I’m dreaming of places I want to go and making a bucket list, but definitely not planning anything for now! xo
wow totally love these tips! I will try to teach someone online, it’s challenging but it will be great to share our skill!
Stay safe and happy weekend
xoxo
style frontier
I’m so glad you liked the tips! Stay safe too xoxo
Thanks for the tips. We need to do them to get healthy and positive.
Yes, we definitely need to stay positive at the moment x
We are so lucky we have technology on our side through all of this. I can’t imagine life otherwise.
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Totally agree! I don’t know what I would do without being able to connect with people! x
Love this post! It is much needed during this time. I’ve been going a little stir crazy, but have been trying to stay positive and focus a lot on keeping my morning routine, as well as putting a lot of time in my blog. I really need to work on exercising and eating better – I’ve sort of let that down since we’ve been stuck inside.
Hope all is well with you and you’re staying safe, friend!
Make Life Marvelous
I’m so glad you liked the post Ashley! I need to focus on exercising and eating better too! It’s so easy to snack when you’re home all the time!
Love all these suggestions! Routine is so important to me and doing my own wardrobe detox soon. Happy Easter Julia!
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Yes, I find that having a routine really helps, although I’m not too hard on myself if I mess up! 🙂
All of these tips are very useful and helpful darling. Stay safe.
xoxo
Lovely
http://www.mynameislovely.com
Glad you found the tips useful! Stay safe too xoxo
I have literally incorporated all of these to my life! Building up a routine is super important otherwise it’s easy to lose focus, start overeating and get into unhealthy lazy lifestyle. I’m not ready for my wardrobe detox as yet! xx
Elegant Duchess
STAY HOME, STAY GRATEFUL, STAY SAFE xx
https://www.elegantduchess.com/
A routine really helps, although I give myself weekends off! x
Great minds think alike. I have just done a post like this too. Love it.
Loved your post too, Hilda! I love the idea of ‘cocooning’ x