Staying in, may not sound very tempting to most people, but we are here to fight the negative thoughts and focus on finding ways to kill our time productively.
I created two categories depending on the type of activities someone is looking for. I tried some of them and I believe they are pleasant alternatives to relax and bring back our missing positivity.
1. Arts & Crafts
Try to find a time during the day avoiding peak hours and go to an arts and crafts store (if possible) for some supplies.
Knitting
It is a fact; knitting relaxes. The movement of needles and the soft yard have a calming effect. Fewer stress hormones are released, blood pressure is getting lower and the pulse is slowing down. It easy to switch off mentally as the concentration needed, is a total distraction from anything else.
Clay art
Did you know that clay art is used as a therapy method? It is used as a way of treatment of mental health and emotional disorders. Clay can be an absolute metaphor for feelings. You can focus on it, manipulate it and squeeze it, which can help reduce anxiety, enable the acting out of emotions, and provide opportunities for fulfillment, achievement, and acceptance.
You can find different types of clay. I choose to use the one that doesn’t need heating to dry.
Send “positive vibes” cards
Imagine yourself checking your email box today and finding a postcard from your family or a friend. Making your own or buying a card from your local store or post office, is an easy way to put a smile on somebody’s face. On top of that, do not forget that this is a two-way benefit; bring the coffee table closer, sit down and let the creativity come out of you.
Macrame making
Macrame is a method of knotting cord to create beautiful decorations for your home, including wall hangings, plant hangers, and accessories. There are hundreds of tutorials online to help you start and find the perfect pattern.
If not now, when?
Easter decorations
Oh yes… The Easter period is now close and you should not feel bad at all if you want or need to change the atmosphere of your place and make it a bit more positive. Easter decorations are a cute idea to spend your time, to decorate your apartment or even to gift them. I found lovely ideas in sostrenegrene.com where you can find easter DIYs for the entire family.
Lollipops & chocolates
You will need:
2 cups of sugar
2/3 cup of water
1/8 teaspoon Cream of Tartar
2 to 3 drops flavoring oil
daisy or other edible flowers
Recipe https://www.intimateweddings.com/blog/diy-daisy-lollipops/
For the 3 ingredient recipe you will need:
320 g coconut ground
400 g sweetened condensed milk
300 g chocolate couverture
100-150 g pistachios optional
Recipe: https://akispetretzikis.com/categories/glyka/sokolatakia-me-3-ylika
2. Well being
What I really found helpful as a first step was reducing or hiding pages from the news feed on my social media. As a second step, I created playlists that help to create a positive atmosphere in my place.
Start walking
If you can’t or don’t want to work out, just walk! What I do, is to wait for the sunset (people are not around during night time) and walk. I have also set a target of 20000 steps per day in order to keep my cardio box ticked.
Pick some flowers
Oh yes.. You don’t have to drive for hours in order to pick some nice flowers; greenery and branches work too in order to create nice decorations and blossom spots in your house.
Ηealthy snacks making
We can all agree that our best friend at that stage is the fridge. There are some tips though, we can do to beat our cravings:
Freeze berries/strawberries
Slice cucumber/carrots/celery/cauliflower & put some vinegar or lemon
Make your own popcorns
Drink a coffee
Make a jug of ice tea with stevia
Eat some sunflower seeds without salt
*Advice: Try to eat your calories-do not drink them! That means that when people eat their calories in the form of solid food, they feel fulfilled as well as the blood sugar level is lower. When people ingest liquid calories, they don’t get the same feeling, as well as they tend to increase their blood sugar levels abruptly.
Make your own beauty salon
You have all the time of the world and no excuse to spoil yourself with some facial/hair/body treatments. The web is full of homemade recipes.
Simple as that: heat gently olive oil, apply it to your hair and let it be absorbed from 1 hour to 1 day and enjoy all the benefits.
Mix some yogurt with honey, apply it to your face and leave it as long as possible.
Find your best nail polish and be creative. Who is going to judge??
I hope you found those few tips helpful. Please feel free to place your comment with your thoughts and joyful tips to kick our boredom.
And don’t forget: We are all in this together!
**Advice: The belief that we are not worthy of happiness goes now underground, and actively yet subtly sabotages any attempt to be happy. Do not feel guilty if you laugh at something or unexpectedly feel like you are in a good mood & realize you did the best you could do at the time (Taibbi B., 2019).