As a nation we've once again been asked to do our bit to support the heroic work of the NHS and simply stay at home. So if you're like everybody else and you've already completed Netflix and are wondering how to get through Lockdown 3.0 with your faculties intact, we have a few ideas from Lumos HQ on what you can do to pass that time. So go ahead, light a candle (see what we did there?) and get involved in one of these...
1. Cook Up A Storm
Learning a new recipe can be so much fun - especially when it's warming, easy and nutritious! One of our recent favourites is this sausage and lentil casserole. We use Linda McCartney veggie sausages (the red onion and rosemary ones) and just cook them up separately in the oven. This makes enough to feed both of us twice and the second day we put in on crispy jacket potatoes rather than have the sausages. Goes great on mash too. A fabulous winter warmer that can be made vegan no problem :)
2. Read That Book (Or Listen To It)
Enforced down time at home can be put to good use. Cathie loves reading but rarely get chance unless we are on holiday so she's definitely taking advantage! Curl up on the sofa, make a large cocoa or treat yourself to a glass of red in front of the fire with a cozy candle and get lost in a fantasy world or learn something new. Here's what we're reading at the moment... bit of an eclectic mix eh!?
Audible is a great app for listening to books if you want to 'read' whilst driving or having a long soak in the bath. If you've haven't heard anything narrated by Stephen Fry - we highly recommend you do.
3. Learn A New Trick
Learning some kind of new craft or skill can be something to keep you busy and may even unlock a host of new potential you didn't know you possessed! Get a head start on hand making next years' Christmas gifts (cause we're sure we'll all be together again then) or make the years worth of birthday cards ahead of time. We're trying needle felting and pyrography for starters. Could be a disaster but there's nothing to lose! Here's our first attempt at some needle felting penguins... we love penguins. We are under no illusions they are perfect - but they look cute and were fun to make! Only a few fingers were jabbed in the making.... haha.
4. Podcast Binge
Six volunteers are secluded in an imitation Mars habitat where they will work as imitation astronauts for one very real year. The goal: to help NASA understand what life might be like on the red planet—and plan for the day when the dress rehearsals are over, and we blast off for real.
Available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
5. Plan Like A Ninja
Get ahead of the game with your personal admin. Book that MOT, write those birthday cards that you always forget to do. Streamline your life etc.
6. Pick Up The Phone
Reconnect with someone that you've not had time for recently. Sure they'll appreciated it more than you know.
7. Play A Board Game
DO NOT PLAY MONOPOLY! Unless you're in the 0.01% of the population that exist in a non monopoly argument utopia! There are plenty of board games that require you all to work together as a team to achieve the objective and win. Our number one game right now is 'Pandemic'. You'd be forgiven for thinking; "haven't we been playing this since last March?". But this game was released in 2008 and is a fantastic way to get the family together and work together to eradicate four (yes four) diseases.
A game for 2-4 players, you will take on the role of one of seven different, disease fighting specialists, each with a unique skill which will come in handy when tackling four of the most deadly diseases ever known to man.
8. Do Some Yoga
Yoga is a great activity to do alone or together and can really aid mental health alongside the physical benefits. We've felt the positive effects of the bedtime routines and family members can vouch for the gut health improvements too! Our favourite YouTube videos are by 'Yoga with Adriene'. She's just so lovely and there's none of that blah blah nonsense if you know what we mean! She also has a super cute dog (Benji) so that gains points in our book too. The perfect playmate to our Meditate Set.
9. Get outside!
We know lockdown is upon us but that doesn't mean you can't reconnect with nature by going for a lovely walk alone or with those in your household. Moderate exercise is also proven to improve immunity and overall health so along with the fresh (very fresh at times!) air - blowing away those cobwebs is sure to do you good. You could even be a true hero and pick up some litter one your route (wearing gloves!) or hang a bird feeder in your garden. We put some new ones up just before Christmas and they've proven that popular we have to refill them every day. We love watching the garden birds :)
10. Most Importantly... Take Some Time For Yourself
Don't feel guilty for wanting to take time for yourself. This will give your brain a chance to reboot, improve your concentration, increase productivity, and will help you to discover (or rediscover) your own voice. Select 'Airplane Mode' and unwind your mind. Here is our blueprint for an hour of you time:
Step 1 - Set The Mood
Find the perfect soundtrack for your soul.
Step 2
Level up your bath game with an invigorating bath bomb or bath melt. There are so many to choose from but we highly recommend Golden Wonder from Lush.
Step 3
Light a candle. Take your senses on a journey to faraway lands. Where to today? The vibrant salons of Havanna with Cuban Tobacco & Oak, maybe the botanical hills of Cornwall with Eden or perhaps you'd like to take your mind on a journey to the Enchanted Forest...