In these unprecedented uncertain times, it’s been really heartening to see so many people posting different ideas on how we can all work on our wellbeing and feel #Togetherathome while distancing and isolating.
Our mission is to transform the way people use their homes, from inside to out. Maybe this time at home is making you look at your space in a different way or maybe you’re appreciating it a little more. Either way, we thought we’d bring together the best ideas that we’ve seen to help you keep well, stimulated and have fun in the coming weeks at home. We hope you enjoy them and take care of each other.
Have a clear out
If you’re one of those people who just never has time for a clear out and declutter, there really is no time like the present. Not only can it make you feel a little lighter, it can also make your rooms seem more spacious and open, which will help you not just on the day, but every day after.
Enjoy your outside space
While we know not everyone is green fingered, now might be a great time to brush up on your skills and discover more about what you have growing in your garden already, and if you do have to go to the supermarket, you could also pick up some seeds to start growing your own veg. This is especially useful as the shops can’t keep up with demand, at the moment. While they might take time to grow, it will be something great to do with children, and they can look after them every day, once planted.
While getting fresh air and a dose of vitamin D is important for everyone’s health and wellbeing, this can be a real opportunity to just enjoy family time and enjoying your space in a new way, teaching your children about insects or setting them goals to find more – it’s all about all the small things that can sometimes be taken for granted.
Try your local gym
This may sound strange but since their closure, gyms are taking some of their classes online – so if you’ve always wanted to try yoga, body combat or Pilates and have been scared of being a bit off balance in class or not liking the instructor, chances are you’ll be able to get a glimpse of what you’ve been missing out on. You never know, you may love it so much that you can’t wait to join when it’s open again.
Move to relax
Of course, exercise is great for your wellbeing as you raise your endorphins, but what about your chi? If you have never tried Tai Chi before, the health benefits are amazing, and it can help to give you a completely new focus. There are many different videos online, and as with the gym, you may find that there is a class local to you which has moved online, so you can try them, too.
Join in with Joe
As you may have seen, body coach, Joe Wicks is holding PE lessons every weekday, 09:00-09:30. Of course, you can catch up later on in the day, but it’s nice to have a feeling of routine, and feel like you’re exercising with lots of people from across the world. It’s especially nice that Joe seems to get puffed out too!
Enjoy some live music
The number of artists now taking to social media to live stream and perform is being added to every day, and include Neil Young, James Blake, Garth Brooks, Pink and Sheryl Crow, so you can get that extra intimate gig feeling. Lizzo is not only playing her flute, over on Instagram, she’s holding daily meditations, too.
Get dressed up
While it may be tempting to live in your pyjamas for a while, you’re probably not going to feel the best you could about yourself. A recent photo doing the rounds of a couple who donned their finest outfits for a night at the opera from the comfort of their couch has inspired us to get dressed up at least once a week. Not only will it break up the time at home but treating yourself to wearing something nice will always give you a boost. And for an extra bonus you don’t have to worry if you’re wearing the same outfit as someone else.
If opera isn’t for you, how about a West End Show? The star-studded musical The Wind in the Willows is streaming now for free, or with thanks for a small donation.
Learn something new
Many different organisations are now making their resources available for free to help with home schooling, which might help you to get a bit more inventive if you have suddenly taken on a new role as school teacher.
Many other organisations are adapting during this period, so you may find that if you have something more specific that you would like to learn, there may be an adjusted level of payment required – for example, this British sign language course is available on pay what you can basis.
Visit somewhere different
Museums across the world are now offering you the opportunity to go on a virtual tour so you can have a rare chance to see the exhibits up close, without having to queue.
Take on a reading challenge
There are so many adventures to be had, through the pages of a book, and the BBC’s Big Read features the nation’s top 100. Maybe you’d like to take on the top five, or there may be a few titles on there that you’ve never heard of – why not give them a try? If you don’t have the books at home, you may find that your local library is open to online memberships to their e- and audio book catalogue.
Fancy a movie night with friends?
Just because you’re not all in the same home doesn’t mean you can’t all enjoy a film together. Through the Chrome extension Netflix Party, you can be in different homes, enjoying the same film at the same time, and having a chat about it (or muting) as you go along.
Hold a games night
As many homeworkers may have now found, Zoom seems to be where it’s at for conference calling. It’s free for the first 40 minutes and you can pay for longer, allowing you and lots of your friends to have a video call at the same time, to play a boardgame together. Or if you’re all on Facebook Messenger, you may be able to set this up for free through their video call setting. You can make this even easier through installing the online gaming platform Jackbox Games. If you lose, just remember you were being sociable…
Revisit your bucket list
Now is a great time to reflect on any changes you would like to make to your home or life; on where you would like to visit and what you want to do, learn or experience. Maybe start a list today and add one thing as we go along this journey – add things that are both big and small, so some of them are more in reach, immediately. This will hopefully help you to focus on pushing on through to the positive things that await you on the other side.
