To think getting dressed everyday will make me feel better

[Courgettequeen]

I have not worn makeup or done hair since lockdown.

Would it make a difference in my mood to get dressed every day and put on a full face?

Does it help anyone feel better?

I've only been to Tesco and to walk the dog since lockdown, but I do my hair and makeup without fail every day. It's just part of my routine and I'm sure my family have nicer dreams if mum doesn't look like a zombie.

I’m enjoying wearing leggings and no make-up. I don’t even put a nice top on for Zoom calls anymore. We are all different though.

Yes OP, I think that, if you normally dress smartly and wear make-up, it will probably give your mood a boost. Definitely try it.

Usually I have full make-up and perfume on every day. During lockdown I've hardly bothered, although I at least wear mascara and lipstick when I go shopping. I've found I've been leaving my hair for longer between washes and then, when I wash and straighten it, I think how great it looks so I think making an effort with make-up every day might help me too. I'm going to try it this morning. It's a plan.

I hope doing it makes you feel better too.

OP I completely feel you.

I get up shower and get straight into gym gear to do an online HIIT session or walk or run Ddog.
Get home - shower / make up (not wearing my full face but a lighter version) /hair
WFH in a mixture of casual Friday / soft separates.
If I do HIIT at lunch - it's the same routine, shower and get back into casual corporate wear.
If I was at work I'm very corporate, but this seems a happy medium.

I'm struggling massively, this is about the only thing keeping me sane ......
if staying in pj's all day helps - do it.
If wearing your corporate helps - do that.
Do what works best for you 😊

Absolutely get dressed. I don’t get that attitude of not going out, don’t need to bother. I guess if you live alone, but I’d still shower and change clothes .

Yes, everyone at the moment needs to do what they can to help their mental health. I have never had any mental issues, my cup is always 2/3 full. The first 2 weeks, I was so incredibly "down", paniced worried about my family, (I have 2 disabled sons, am carer for one, they live 90 minutes away)I was in meltdown, I did have a quick wash, not didnt shower, wash my hair. I read some mental health help stuff, thought right, routine, I had a bath,face scrub,wine, book, felt a bit better. I do go out for excersise, I have 2 dogs, I dont put on the full "face", but make sure I look presentable.

I feel better getting up, showered and dressed but I’ve only bothered with makeup on my work days when I have to leave the house. My skin is better for the break.

Definitely do my hair and make up every day. Wear jeans and a smart top as I teach so need to be presentable. Makes me feels so much better. I try and get up and ready by 9 otherwise the day is lost for me.

I've been getting a shower and dressed every day, but that's it. No make up and I've been leaving my hair to dry on its own. I've never had to wear properly smart clothes for work but now I'm in lounge wear it linen trousers and a t shirt, rather than a dress. I never wear shoes in the house so have been barefoot most of the time.

I've really enjoyed no make up etc and my skin feels better for it. I don't wear loads anyway and the only video calls I'm making are with friends and family , so I'm not bothering for them - they all know me without make up anyway.

Although not worked from home before I've been surprised at how well I've adjusted - although doing much longer hours and much busier than before. I 'need' school to reopen fully so I can reduce my hours really (my teaching role at school is computer and it based so naturally at this time I've been a bit more in demand and been overseeing home learning etc.) 😁.

I've never been one to need to be dressed and fully made up so I think that helps. A friend of me dies and has been doing so for all her online video calls as it helps her feel more in work mode.

You should wash, get dressed, and make an effort if you can at all. It will help mentally.

If you can't manage it, have no motivation to make an effort, find yourself drifting through the days, try phoning your doctor. It could be that you are developing depression

OP - you are not being shallow and there absolutely is point in you dressing ‘properly’ and applying make up. Patients with depression will be advised to do this

@OneHanded. 🌷how are you coping with Lockdown/CV??

@Courgettequeen. I haven't work make up in years. Nor a dress - I feel like a table lamp in them 🤣. I live in leggings or shorts & hate 'fitted' clothes. However, for me, I'm just not human until I've had a shower & I always wear fresh clothes. If you want to wear a dress, wear a dress!! Do whatever makes you feel good. If wearing a dress and a face full of makeup made me feel good, I'd do it. 🤷🏻‍♀️

You say 'there's no point'. The point is it might make you feel happier!

People stating 'leggings are only for exercise' need to get back in their box.

Why not try wearing a dress & make up for a few days and see how YOU feel. That's all that matters!!

I find I feel better if I get dressed in gym gear and make sure I wear trainers not slippers. It makes me more likely to move around a bit rather than shuffle.
I’ve done a bit of make up now and again, usually if I have a video meeting.

I've suffered from depression since my early teens and a routine that includes showering and getting dressed into "day clothes" absolutely makes a difference.

Sitting around in your pajamas for weeks on end really isn't good for you. I always get up and have a nice hot shower and a cup of coffee and get dressed - even if it's only into leggings and a nice top - it makes a world of difference to how I feel.

If it makes you feel better then it's 100% with it

It works for me. I don't have work clothes or wear full make up day to day but I always get dressed. I have started wearing a primer bought for its spf but I like how it looks so n my skin too.
If I'm going to the shops or for a town walk with DH, I straighten my hair and wear a necklace and earrings, lipstick and mascara.

Getting dressed everyday was a big factor in my recovery from PND 20 years ago. My Dr called it getting ready to live rather than just exist as I had been doing. It really stuck with me.

I've been getting dressed and putting a bit of make up on every day, nothing fancy just leggings and a jumper most of the time. I can't get my eyelashes tinted so I don't want to look like a mole without some mascara whatever works for you, give it a try and you can always stop again

OP- please dont berate yourself for being "shallow". Self care is really important and people who neglect their self care is often the first sign of depression.
I'm not saying get dressed in a cocktail dress every day but I would do at least something to make yourself feel better. Shower- nice body oil, some makeup, hair etc or whatever you feel comfy with.
I think in these times its important to still take care of ourselves and stick to a routine. Its very easy to become unmotivated otherwise.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with staying in your pyjamas/chill clothes all day right now but for me getting dressed does make me feel better compared to days I’ve stayed in my pjs. I
I usually get up and shower and get dressed. I haven’t worn make up since March though! I did think about it yesterday but changed my mind 🤣

There may be a pandemic on but I’m not going to hell in a handcart. Put your lipstick on if it makes you feel brighter, put a sharp shirt on if it makes you feel more put together, style your hair if it makes you feel cared for. It’s no different to painting a room a different colour to change the atmosphere or stroking an animal to relax you.

You are still you 💄

I suffer from depression and always make a point of getting dressed each day, whether it's the weekend, a holiday, or WFH. I personally find it helps me feel a bit more in control. I don't mean that I get dressed up smartly - far from it - I just feel better when I am wearing casual clothes rather than nightwear and dressing gown.

Since all this started I've made sure to get dressed (casual stuff, mostly jeans), do my hair and put on a little make up (eyebrows, mascara, bit of lipstick, not a full face) every day as I know that I'll feel so much worse if I don't. Wearing pyjamas all day just makes me feel a bit defeated.

I think getting dressed and showered daily does help. I am tired of wearing dog walking clothes constantly but feel grateful that I’m able to work at home

I feel better on days when I get dressed, but I only put make-up on if I'm going shopping or on the day we have a video confence call.

When I say dressed, my bottom half is still in jeans, and my top in a Breton t-shirt or similar, it's still not formal business wear. We don't have a dress code when in the office, I'm certainly not implementing one at home!

I've stopped bothering with make up since lockdown but definitely need to get a quick wash and dressed everyday. It makes me feel a lot better in the mornings. Usually in pj's by teatime though cos comfy

I've been up and dressed with makeup every week day, more relaxed on a weekend but I always get dressed eventually. I feel better with makeup, I don't wear a lot. We go out for a long walk each day and I never leave the house without makeup. It definitely makes me feel better and ready for the day.