The Ultimate Lockdown Guide – What To Do, Read and Watch

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Welcome to Lockdown 2.0 everyone! Can you believe we are here again? I think we all hoped that we wouldn’t be back to this, at least not this year! Especially as we are now in the winter, It may be a little harder for us all, but let’s try and make the most of this month at home while we can.

The last lockdown I created this blog, which without having all that spare time, I don’t think would have ever happened, so sometimes you have to find the opportunities in the uncertainties and you never know what you might learn. Just surrounding yourself with positive influences too can change your mindset so that you embrace the change and possibilities that this brings to you.

We also need to make sure we are supporting one another and checking in with friends and family with phone calls, quizzes (yup, prepare yourself for more zoom quizzes), and maybe just a friendly wave through the window. But we also need to make sure we are looking after our own mental health, so I have created a list of things you can do this month to try and make the most of it but more importantly to look after yourself.

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Wellbeing

Have a spa night

I love going to the spa and this is something I am missing at the moment, so I try and have little pamper nights at home to treat myself to some mini treatments. From giving myself a manicure to doing a body scrub and creating a homemade face mask.

So here are my top 3 easy face masks to do at home:

• 1 tablespoon Greek yogurt
• 1 teaspoon oatmeal
• 1 teaspoon honey

In a bowl, mix up your ingredients and leave it on clean skin for 10 to 15 minutes. Rinse it off with warm water and your skin will feel so soft afterward.

• Half an avocado, mashed
• 1 tablespoon honey

Mash the two honey and avocado together and put a thick layer all over your face. Leave it on for at least 10 minutes and rinse off for a glowing complexion.

Try out a new recipe

With much more time to ourselves, it makes sense to try out a few new recipes as we all get in a routine of making the same meal over and over again. Even if you want an Indian takeaway, why not make the onion bajjis from scratch, or missing Wagamamas, then google your favourite meal and get creative in the kitchen.

• Make a fakeaway – whether you want Mcdonalds, curry, or Nandos, Google is full of recipes to make some of your much-loved takeaways at home.
• Have a date night – whether you live with family, friends, a partner, or even alone (Zoom was made for lockdown!) Cook up a 3-course meal and treat a loved one to a special evening in. Why not get dressed up to make it even more fun too.
• Create your favourite dinner at home – Think outside the box, and don’t just make something you have weekly. We love Torchy’s Tacos in Texas, so the last lockdown I made a 3-course meal using inspiration from their menu and finding recipes online.
• Get your cookbooks out – Who has 100’s of cookbooks at home but are just left on the shelf collecting dust? Well know is the time to have a look through them and give a meal ago. You never know you may find your new favourite dinner.
• Do a themed night – Why not make it from scratch, from Mexican, Thai, Chinese or Indian, give it a go and make some cocktails to go with it too.

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Stay healthy and breathe in the fresh air

I appreciate the weather has turned but even if if you just go for a 30-minute walk on your lunch break, the effects are not only great for your physical health but also your mental health too. It’s always good to get out of your home for a change of scenery and to breathe in some fresh air as well.

• Go for a walk and explore where you live
• Cycle to get a different change of scenery
• Dance like no one is watching, whether you’re just having fun, learning a dance routine, or having your own club night
• Have a home gym, even if you don’t have the equipment, there are so many online classes to join in with or Youtube videos to follow along with too
• Do some P.E with Joe Wicks
• Relax with some Yoga or Pilates for a good stretch

Get a good night sleep

There is nothing worse than not being able to sleep at night and waking up feeling groggy, tired, and fed up. A good night’s sleep can really set you up for the day ahead with being motivated and productive with tasks.

• Put your phone away – having some time away from your phone is not only good for your mental health but also helps you relax more as the ‘blue light’ displays suppress melatonin production – the hormone that helps you sleep.
• Have a bath – light a candle, add in some relaxing smelling salts and oil, and just soak up all the goodness.
• Set your room up for bedtime – I love to go upstairs early and put my blind down, put the bedside light on, and put on my aromatherapy oil diffuser with a nice lavender scent so that when I go up to bed it’s a calming environment
• Do some yoga – There are many Youtube videos of ‘bedtime’ yoga so find one to watch and relax. Or simply just take some time to relax to yourself and breathe in and out slowly.
• Listen to a podcast – Find a mindfulness app you like, for example, Headspace and Calm, that also have a sleep section where you can listen to calming noises or have someone tell you a relaxing story as you drift off to the land of nod.

Entertainment

The best podcasts to listen to, to lift your mood

There are so many podcasts out there these days, it’s hard to know which one to listen to, so I thought I would give you my top picks. So why not get in the bath, relax on your bed, or have a pamper session and get listening.

• Happy Place – Fearne Cotton 
• Scarlett Moffatt wants to believe
• Scott Mills Daily Podcast
• Shagged, Married, Annoyed – Chris and Rosie Ramsey
• Spencer and Vogue

The best TV shows to watch

I don’t know about you but I am quite excited to see what the new Tiger King will be for Lockdown 2.0! But in the meantime here are some of the best shows to just cuddle up on the sofa too and unwind.

• Emily In Paris
• Love Life
• New Girl
• Schitt’s Creek
• The Good Place

The best books to read

I am usually one for a thriller as I love the twists and turns but during the last lockdown, I just found that after a while it was just too much murder to deal with. So this time, I will be reading some light-hearted fun books.

• Diary of a Drag Queen by Crystal Rasmussen
• City of Girls: A Novel by Elizabeth Gilbert
• Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman’s Search for Everything Across Italy, India, and Indonesia by Elizabeth Gilbert
• Jog On: How Running Saved My Life by Isabella Rusbridger
• Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed

Or why not try something a bit different

• A Book That Takes Its Time: An Unhurried Adventure in Creative Mindfulness by Astrid van der Hulst and Irene Smit
• Get Your Sh*t Together by Sarah Knight
• Happy: Finding Joy in Every Day and Letting Go of Perfect by Fearne Cotton
• The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy
• The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson

Embrace change

Try out a new hobby

With time on your side and the weather meaning you just want to spend your evenings and weekends inside, then why not try a new hobby. You might even find out you have a secret talent.

• Have a go at something arty – Whether it’s painting, felting, pottery, or sewing, just give it a go.
• Learn a dance routine – If you want to be the next TikTok queen or you want to try a fun way to keep fit, Youtube has so many dance tutorials to follow
• Make your own candles – They are actually super easy to make and then you can relax and enjoy your chosen scent
• Learn a magic trick – This will be a great skill to show off when you get to hang out with your friends again

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Give your home a makeover

If you feel your home needs a refresh whether it’s just one room, a piece of furniture, or the whole house, this is the month to do it. Make a Pinterest board of what themes and colours you like and get some inspiration. Don’t think this has to cost the world though, you can make simple changes that will make a big difference.

• Change door handles and knobs
• Paint a wall
• Spruce up your bathroom with new a bath matt and towels
• Add some shelving
• Change your splashback in your kitchen
• Paint old photo frames
• Add a new rug to a room
• Hang some new curtains
• Change the lighting
• Spice up a room with a statement piece
• Refresh your front door with paint and a cute knocker
• Add some house plants