Being at home feels cosy, but it can leave you feeling suffocated and trapped. I love being outdoors and meeting friends for lunch, plus browsing my favourite stores for sustainable items. We’re in a global pandemic and things are quickly becoming serious. Governments are advising the public to stay at home and self-isolate, to avoid the spread of coronavirus aka Covid-19. I’ve created the ultimate list of ideas to avoid you feeling bored, lonesome and fed-up at home. It aims to bring joy, inspiration and mindfulness during this difficult time. Remember you’re not alone, if you need help then reach out to a loved one. Share this amongst your friends and family to increase positivity and enjoyment. Let me know if you have more suggestions in the comment box. Stay safe, happy and healthy, love Jade (Founder of The Mindful Step).

Spring Clean with DIY Products

Spring is just around the corner with equinox on the 21st March, therefore it’s the right time to have a good old fashion clear out. Scrub your floors, wipe off the dust and bring a fresh feeling into your living space. If you’re like me and don’t enjoy getting your rubber gloves on, find a way to enjoy it. I love utilizing my citrus peels by making natural solutions. Mainstream household cleaners are filled with toxins, chemicals and hazardous substances, which are a danger to our health and environment. DIY cleaners require less waste, less plastic and cause no nasty chemicals to be washed into the oceans. During my self isolation, I came across @Ecowithem_, who shares words of wisdom, kindness and an insightful view on Coronavirus.

I know the world is scary right now. I wanted to put something out there for people who are struggling to know what to do. I don't give any answers because seriously... who has 'em... but I did maybe want to remind everyone of our own agency, even when there's a crazy ass pandemic raging. Also, feel free to reply in the comments about what you're thinking and feeling about this gigantic shit show - because it's nice to not feel alone while the media has us believing that the zombie apocalypse is nigh. The scientific definition of connection is: the shit. And it is... the shit. Not to mention it's available to all of us. So, instead of grabbing onto your toilet paper like your life depended on a clean ass, grab onto your people instead (whether online or off). It's a bit of a rush job so I again apologise about it not being super duper pretty but I think it's more important to get conversation out there than freaking out about design composition.

13.5k Likes, 486 Comments - Em Ehlers (Emily, for long) (@ecowithem_) on Instagram: "I know the world is scary right now. I wanted to put something out there for people who are..."

Upcycle, swap, donate

After your Spring Clean, the next move is to declutter and say goodbye to any unwanted garments. Go through each item and ask, does this bring value to my life? If you no longer hold value with an item, sell it, donate it, plan to take it to a swap market or upcycle it. Self isolation doesn’t need to be boring, teach yourself how to sew and experiment with your items. I’m ordering the book by @tillybuttons ‘Make It Simple’, a guide on speedy sewing projects to stitch up in an afternoon. Purchase this online and have it delivered. Worst case scenario and you don’t have a needle and thread, get the scissors out and bring tassels back!

Check out our post ‘Join the Slow Fashion Movement’ for more inspiration.

Play ‘Corona Virus Self Isolation Bangers’ Playlist

Home alone can only mean one thing right? Dancing like nobody is watching! Let go of any fears and turn your home into your very own dancefloor. Dancing raises your heartrate and according to Bupa it’s proven to burn over 400 calories in just 1 hour! Luckily for us, a genius named Andy Knox created a playlist to make this time easier. Smash hits like Britney Spear ‘Toxic’ and Katy Perry ‘Hot N Cold’ feature on this playlist, perfect to boost your mood and feel better. What are you waiting for? Throw some shapes.

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Join a meditation course

It’s important to remain mindful and minimise our stress levels during a time of panic. A friend of mine recently added me into a ‘21 days of abundance’ meditation group. During self-isolation we have the time, space and energy to focus on meditating and commit to our goals. I feel grateful to be involved and connected with likeminded people, some of whom I’ve never met. Bring fulfilment and meditation into your daily routine and discover what groups are out there for you. If you’d like to hear more about the course I’m taking, comment below.

Online Yoga

If you have a studio that you regularly attend, influence them to go online. Nobody wants to miss out on a monthly pass that they’ve forked out on! Luckily for me, my yoga teacher has created a community on Facebook and offering daily classes via videocall. It’s fun to still be in contact with my fellow yogi’s and stretch at home. If you’d like to join us, please say hello to Ju and get in contact with @atelier7artes. Please note, as I’m based in Portugal, classes are in Portuguese but Ju can kindly help with English. Alternatively, YouTube is filled with videos for all types of level yogi’s.

Get your Jamie Oliver on!

Have you ever looked inside your pantry and wondered why on earth you bought those jarred mushrooms? I’m sure we’re all guilty of stock piling random ingredients that we never plan to use. Grab those sad tins and be inspired to cook up something new! My advice is to chuck everything into a rice dish, stew or blitz into a soup. A tasty soup couldn’t be easier to make: fry chopped onion + garlic, add your spices + herbs, plonk in the veggies, boil for 25 minutes with stock or bay leaf and blend. Once it’s blended, you can add in some beans to increase the nutritional benefits.

Journaling

According to Inter Mountain Healthcare, journaling can reduce stress, improve immune function, keep the memory sharp, improve moods and strengthen emotional function. Don’t mistake journaling to be a ‘dear diary…’ situation where you have to write down everything you ate, thought and did. Instead make it a simple task of writing down whatever comes to mind. It’s your blank page to fill with dreams, thoughts, ideas and drawings. Don’t make it super organised or take it seriously, simply let it flow and enjoy. Start by writing down 5 things you’re grateful for, that should get you going.

Learn a new language

I work in the tourism industry and hear of flights being cancelled daily. If your trip needs to be postponed, why not learn the local lingo before you go? Use this time to prepare for a fully immersive experience and make the most of a bad situation. I’ve been living in Portugal for over 1 year now and began learning the language when I first arrived. Unfortunately my commitment fell and now my Potruguese is very rusty. I’m getting my books off the shelf and re-educating myself so I can feel confident once this storm passes. Order books online, get on YouTube, download Duolingo or Skype friends who can help.

Coronavirus: The Mindful Way to Self-Isolate