You feel slouchy and haven’t left the couch in days – we get it, Fairies. While self-isolation is an opportunity to relax and take some time off for some, others are finding it harder to cope. It’s hard to stick to a routine when everything has been turned upside down, and we are here to help!

Here’s our advice on how to be productive during self-isolation…

Set Your Alarm

To start off your day right, you must first… wake up! It’s tempting to get rid of the buzzing and beeping your phone makes every morning, but doing so can impact your productivity. Now, we’re not saying to wake up at 5am to watch the sunset, but rather find a reasonable pre-12pm time… Waking up in the morning will boost your energy and make you feel like you have the whole day ahead to get back on track!

Have Breakfast

They don’t call it the most important meal of the day for nothing, Fairies. Have some cereal, cook eggs or enjoy a fresh salad – and if you’re not a breakfast person, at least incorporate some sort of beverage into your morning routine (e.g. coffee, tea, juice). This will wake you up and provide you with some essential nutrients to power through the day!

Pro-Tip: If you take any supplements (collagen, hair, skin & nails, Vitamin C), have them in the morning with your breakfast – this ensures that they release their benefits all throughout the day and keep you going!

Make A To-Do List

We cannot stress this enough. While you’re enjoying your morning coffee or bowl of cereal, jot down a quick to-do list for the rest of your day. You can get creative and divide it into sections, like things you must do and things you want to do. Throughout your day, tick them off (it’s way more satisfying than it sounds) and give yourself a sense of reward!

Work Out

Depending on where you live, we know that gyms are more than likely to be closed right now – but don’t let that dishearten you! If you were on track with your fitness prior to the pandemic, why lose all your progress now? And if you didn’t have time for the gym before, now is a great time for you to incorporate some home workouts into your life (Google it, they’re literally EVERYWHERE). When you work out, your body releases endorphins that energise and refresh your body and mind, thus enhancing the rest of your day! Remember, Fairies – suitable workouts can range from yoga, weight-lifting, dancing and even walking!

FaceTime Friends & Family

Disconnecting yourself from everything and indulging into a 10-season-long Netflix show may sound tempting, but don’t cave in! Instead, give those you love a call, or even better FaceTime them, while you’re going about your day. Chances are they’re also craving human contact, and this will ensure that you are in a mentally good place to commit to the activities you had planned to commit to (rather than becoming one with the couch as you watch Friends – we’ve been there). Have a virtual lunch date with your bestie and enjoy the chats you would usually enjoy!

Beware Of Day Naps

They’re sly. They creep up on you when you’re least expecting it, and suddenly… you’ve found yourself awake at 4am watching YouTube tutorials. If the memes haven’t already raised this issue enough, we will. WHAT IS HAPPENING TO MY SLEEPING PATTERN? (sorry, that was our exhausted alter ego). Having random lazy-naps throughout the day can quite literally result to a completely messed up schedule – something you can’t afford if you want to be productive! So, keep yourself busy – put together those photo albums you’ve always wanted to put together, or iron the load of laundry that’s been staring at you for 2 weeks now. You will feel more accomplished than you think!

Mentor People Around You

Living with someone, whether it is a partner, room-mate or family, means that you eventually pick up on a handful of their habits – and that’s without self-isolation. Finding yourself in the same space as someone else for 24 hours a day, means that you will more than likely ditch the productive project you’re working on, to sit down with them and scroll through your Instagram feeds together (occasionally showing each other something funny). While this can be seen as an essential part of modern-day bonding, make sure that you reflect your productive energy on those around you (children included). When everyone feels like doing nothing, bring out a board game, or a couple of empty canvases and get down to business! Productive bonding is the best kind of bonding.

Treat Yourself

Remain positive, Fairies! Being at home can get pretty tough – maintain your skin-care routine, eat well and give yourself a facial (or two) whenever you can. Take a long bath, finish that book that’s been sitting on yourself for months and most of all; stay safe!

Digital Content Coordinator: Zoe Kanlis

Featured Image: Instagram