What one thing do you do to increase quality in your life during Lockdown?

[lolawasashowgirl]

A few years ago there was a brilliant thread on here about small ways to increase your quality of life. It gave me a real boost when I was feeling down in the dumps. Although I totally support the lockdown I'm really flagging psychologically and sometimes feel there is nothing to look forward to. I'd love to hear your ideas on how to make each day a bit more pleasurable!

Drink. Lots.

Take photos

Keep to a routine similar to before. Up at 8ish (admittedly thats a bit later than before!) then breakfast, dressed and starting home schooling at 9 (following the same timetable). We have things we do every weekend like roast on Sunday, games night on Friday etc that we are doing every week. I think it's helped the kids a lot to know what is coming next. Friends who have changed their waking/sleeping hours a lot and who are just doing things when they can be bothered (like school work) seem to be struggling more with low moods/insomnia/apathy. I keep myself busy normally anyway but it feels even more important to keep that up at the moment.

Eat better because I have time to cook. (Although we had a takeaway yesterday and I loved not cooking more).

Enjoy the garden.

Run 3 times a week.

Seriously contemplating a purchase of a CSS now

CSP that is.

Going and sitting outside, watching the birds and the squirrels. Seeing what flowers have popped out overnight and tidying up, little by little.

Pottering in the garden every day and noticing small things that need doing and what is growing well what isn't etc.
Growing vegetables
30 mins of exercise most days
Leaving my phone downstairs when I go to bed
Hour long walks with DH 2-3 times a week in the morning ( about 6am) .

Me and ds I’m watch movies together, he’s 13 xx

Lighting candles in the house so it smells good. Finally on top of washing, and cleaning too. Getting all the washing outside to dry is therapy for me!
Running three times a week.
Board games with the DC and cooking with them too.
Just enjoying being together.

I have poncy freshly-ground coffee every morning.

I have been making quilts while listening to loads of different podcasts (mostly humour but some others too) and audiobooks. The last few days I have been making masks for family members and it's a pain in the neck, which will make me appreciate the quilting much more when I get back to it.

I had sent a quilt out to be quilted and go it back just before lockdown started. It's the first quilt that I have made for myself and not as a gift for someone else, it's also incredibly intricately quilted so when we have cool days I sit with it over me and read my Kindle while occasionally stroking the quilt.

I've been making Spotify playlists and have been singing along (much to my family's disgust).

I did Dry January and have kept it going and am now, hopefully, permanently alcohol free.

It's not easy is it,especially going on so long.

Walking daily.
Getting back into reading classic novels.
Home cooking/pottering in the kitchen and listening to music.
Baking when time allows, that's a new one for me. Great feeling of achievement and actually loaf cakes are quite easy.
Buying and reading magazines.
Using all my lotions and potions.

Coffee dates sound lovely. I had one today and it really cheered me up.

I have a nice garden but need to get me a deckchair so I can sit out in comfort.

Just to say I could never have one glass or single G&T so I’d definitely feel so much worse in mood, anxiety and sleep if I was still drinking.

Make time to speak to friends and family, including without kids around if you can manage it. Make something from your recipe books that you haven’t made before. Declutter a little bit where you can.

Friday afternoon I wash my hair, put some make up on, pick some nice clothes to wear and have cocktails and prosecco. If I can't go out, then I'm going to stay in feeling fabulous and drinking lovely drinks! 👗🍾🍹

Loads of different gins

Not cleaning

Very long baths - managed 5 hours one day

A couple of very comfy sunloungers and a Kindle.

Has given me time to read in the dark away from the noise of the house

Muesli for breakfast - I don’t normally have time to chew it.
Making the weekends different. I normally bath before bed, at the weekend I have a long bath when I get up too. Feels so decadent. Eating lunch together. A walk every day. Growing plants and looking at things very carefully - a leaf, a cloud. I have also taken to stroking leaves. Dog cuddles.

Yoga with meditation every single day. Large glass of red... every single day 😆

going really high on the swing in the garden

Taking a decent walk everyday, even if it is at a slow pace.

Spending time in the garden, relaxing and listening to the birdsongs.

Taking time to look after myself by eating healthier and trying to look after my skin better.

Thanks for this thread, I really need to cheer up atm, the last couple of weeks it’s all starting to get to me.

When I was unwell just before lockdown I started to use the bench in the garden (it was from someone who didn’t want it) just to get some sunshine. That habit has stuck with me and I sit out there most days reading or drawing.

Also I’ve got used to phone calls again and it’s making a big difference. Much as I like chatting on messenger, it’s the phone calls I’ve had that have kept me sane. I’ve connected with people more and I hope that can continue.

Glad you're finding it helpful @LaneBoy I don't think you're alone - I think everyone is finding things a bit of a slog at the moment

Buying lots of things for the garden and getting a Waitrose Cellar delivery every 2 weeks. Trying some lovely new wines

I bought an exercise bike. My balance on an actual bike is negligible at best so I don't own a road bike I could convert but I'm putting some effort in and feeling a lot better for it.