Karlston Posted July 13, 2020 Share Posted July 13, 2020 Ways to Stay Sane and Relaxed During Quarantine It's hard to keep calm and carry on when we've entered not-losing-your-mind territory. Here are a few ideas and things to help you cope. Photograph: Getty Images I like to think of myself as a well-rounded anxious person. I have situational anxiety—like with public speaking and flying—as well as general anxiety about everything else. What if the elevator I’m in breaks down? What if the subway gets stuck underground? What if the giant rock we’re living on decides to suddenly spin out into the depths of space? Even if you aren’t anxious in normal circumstances, the pandemic we’re living in is not normal. Staying indoors for such a long time, away from family and friends, and only hearing bad news week after week can take a toll on the mind. I've curated some suggestions to help you feel some semblance of calm during this difficult time. Note: These are not meant to treat serious anxiety disorders—those should be discussed with your doctor or therapist. If you're more in need of traditional self-care, we've got you covered with our Ultimate Quarantine Self-Care Guide, and our manuals on How to Cut and How to Dye Your Hair at home. We also have a handpicked selection of gadgets under $20 the WIRED Gear team loves, movies and TV shows we're rebinging, plus YouTube channels we can't stop watching. Hopefully, they keep you entertained. Updated for July 2020: We've added more products, like a bird feeder, an acupressure mat, a Theragun, and a fluffy robe to relax in. Create a Sanctuary The Sopranos series is available to stream on HBO GO, HBO NOW.Photograph: HBO While it might be especially obvious right now, your surroundings affect your mood. If I'm feeling bad about myself or the world and I let my apartment get messy, it only amplifies those emotions and makes me feel more overwhelmed. I moved in the middle of this quarantine and made it a mission to get unpacked and decorated quicker than normal. I needed a space that felt like me. No matter how much you meditate, exercise, or pick up a new hobby, if your sink is full of dirty dishes and you're stepping over last week's clothes to get to bed, you aren't setting yourself up for much success. Start with a clean state and then fill your space with things that make you calm just by looking at them. For me, that’s candles, robes, plants, crystals, and cozy blankets (plus my two cats). Add Fresh Scents Candles are especially calming to look at, and scented candles can help with your overall mood. Here are some of my favorites. Yankee Candles' ($30) holiday scents, like Balsam and Cedar, are my go-tos. DW Home ($6+) has some great options. I'm particularly fond of Warm Tobacco Pipe. Otherland ($36) has a few WIRED fans. You can get a sampler to try before you buy. Oil diffusers are another great way to turn your home into a sanctuary, and you won't have to worry about an open flame. (Just be careful if you have pets.) Senior associate editor Julian Chokkattu says watching a stream of mist shoot out of Muji's diffuser ($70) is "as calming as the scents it brings to the room." Its design is minimalist, it's easy to use, plus it lights up for added effect. Most diffusers are designed similarly, some with faux wood and modern shapes if that's more your style. Diffusers are generally simple to operate. Pour water in the main chamber, add a few drops of your favorite essential oil, then choose the desired run time. Muji's can run up to three hours and its whirs aren't very audible. It's recommended for spaces around 100 to 133 square feet, but the Japanese brand has a larger version ($119) for bigger rooms. Wrap Up in a Robe Maybe you've taken this opportunity to rewatch (or watch for the first time) some classic TV, like The Sopranos. If so, you may have noticed that Tony Soprano has a robe collection fit for a king—that's because lounging around your house in one just feels good. I put together a list of some of his best, but my top pick is Brooklinen's Super-Plush Robe ($98) if you don't know where to start. It's a classic fluffy robe perfect for after a shower or even if you haven't made it out of bed in two days (we're not judging). If you'd rather channel Carmela Soprano, the Alexander Del Rossa Satin Robe ($65) made me feel like a rich housewife. What more can you ask for? Let Greenery Grow Plants can transform any living space, making it feel like your own oasis. I tend to lean toward the artificial kind, eliminating my unwavering ability to kill plants with even the lowest amount of maintenance. Target and West Elm have a lot of great faux options. If you want the real deal, Lula's Garden has excellent succulents that are easy to take care of, including this Glow Garden ($32) that I am currently attempting to keep alive. Everything comes in a pretty gift box that doubles as a planter, so you don't have to repot them until they grow out of it; they also come with plastic droppers for easy watering. The Sill also has a beautiful selection, including this snake plant ($62) that is easy for beginner plant parents. If you have pets and aren't sure what plants you can have around them, the company has a pet-friendly subscription box ($35), too. Make sure to also check out any local plant shops in your area. Local businesses are some of the hardest hit during this pandemic, and it's important to support them if you can. Invite Some Birds It might sound dramatic, but getting a window-mounted bird feeder changed my life. It finally connected me to the birds I've been so intrigued by. Even if you don't love them as much as I do, you might find that having all these little birds come to your window, chirping and playing with each other, is quite relaxing during a time of uncertainty. There are a lot of options to choose from, but a simple rectangle ($46) is all you really need. Or you can go for a hummingbird feeder ($17), if you're committed to cleaning it every other day (and don't use red dyes in their nectar). Find a Relaxing Hobby Photograph: Shit That I Knit Now is a good time to pick up a hobby. That doesn't mean you need to be an expert overnight. Take it slow. Hobbies should be fun, not stressful. Learn to Knit I've found knitting to be relaxing (and it takes up a lot of time), perfect for the present moment. I’m not sure if the rectangle I’m knitting will turn into anything wearable, but the repetitive motions have kept my mind occupied and my hands off my phone. It’s easier to learn than it might seem. All you need to get started is yarn, knitting needles, and a darning needle to sew completed projects together. Plus your phone or TV to watch how-to videos on YouTube. There are a ton of good tutorials on the web. I’ve found Kristen Mangus of GoodKnit Kisses to be an exceptional guide. The company Shit That I Knit also has Quarantine Knitting Kits ($65) that make jumping in really simple when you don’t know where to begin. Each kit includes 100 percent merino wool yarn in beautiful colors and all the tools you need, plus access to a private Facebook group and weekly Zoom classes. It’s pricey, but given that it’s a small business with every member of the team acting as a fulfillment center (they’re putting together kits and shipping within two days), it might be justified if you can afford it. Color Outside the Lines Creating art is soothing and rewarding, but it can be daunting when you don't feel like an artist, and expensive if you need supplies. No one expects you to emerge from quarantine as the next Jean-Michel Basquiat, but if you want to get out some creative energy, consider coloring to reduce stress. There are adult coloring books that might appeal to how you're feeling right now. Might I suggest coloring in curse words? Or how about This Annoying Life, which features frustrating scenes we can all surely relate to, like going to get ice only to find the trays empty. Write It Down If coloring in a picture of the F-word doesn't do it for you, try writing it down instead. There are many ways you can go about journaling. You can write about what happened in a day, try gratitude journaling to remind yourself about the good things in your life, write poems or short stories, or jot down profanities for five entire pages—whatever it is, journaling can really help you deal with difficult days. It's easy enough to start a digital journal, but I recommend pen and paper. Miquelrius notebooks are my favorite for everything, from journaling to to-do lists, because the paper is so delightfully soft. Focus on the Body and Soul Photograph: Therabody It's important to focus on your mental health during this time, but you should also give adequate attention to your body. You might not be walking as much as you used to or exercising in general. Carve out some time in the day for both. Work Out Some people work out to relieve stress and feel calm. I am not one of those people, but I do take their word for it. WIRED Senior writer Adrienne So put together a guide on How to Work Out From Home that will help even the laziest and out of shape of us (me) to get moving. If working out sounds more stress-inducing than stress-relieving, but you still want to stay somewhat active, try yoga. It keeps me centered, focused, and melts away my stress. And while some practices are harder than others, yoga helps build muscle. I use a half-inch thick mat that helps with my back pain, but any mat or comfortable spot in your home will do. If you need some assistance, Yoga With Adriene is my favorite YouTube channel for practicing at home. Whether your muscles get sore from working out or from slouching over your computer for the 100th day in a row, a Theragun will fix you right up. We tested most of the company's new lineup to find our favorites, with the Theragun Elite ($400) coming out on top. It's not cheap, but it has the quietest motor and an ergonomic handle for hitting the hard-to-reach spots yourself. For half that price you can try the Mini ($200), but it's a bit more difficult to use by yourself. There are other, less expensive percussive therapy devices out there but we have yet to test them. Clear Your Mind Meditation is an extremely beneficial tool to feel calm. We are constantly plugged-in with what's going on in the world, and right now it's weighing on us. Setting aside time to meditate, with your phone on silent, will give you at least a few minutes of peace. All you need to effectively meditate is yourself and a quiet place. But it can be hard to turn off your thoughts and focus on the task at hand, so there are tools to help you get started. The Headspace app (available on iOS and Android) has an easy-to-follow beginner's course and a decent free library of guided meditations, plus more if you subscribe. Unplug (also available on iOS and Android) doesn't have a free version, but there is a seven-day trial. Both have super short courses, which are perfect for when you're in desperate need of a cooldown. As long as you turn off your notifications so you aren’t being dragged away by texts, these are easy to follow courses. I've been using the Core Meditation Trainer, which is a small device that uses vibrations to help focus your mind and breath as its connected app walks you through practices. (The app also analyzes your practices and heart rate to show your improvement in reaching calm and focus levels over time.) I especially like the vibrations that sync to your breath as you breathe in and out along with the teacher's cues. Unfortunately, it's expensive (and unlimited access to the app costs extra), especially for an activity that doesn't really need accessories. Acupuncture is a type of traditional Chinese medicine that is touted for its ability to relieve pain and manage stress, among a long list of other treatments. I've never had the opportunity to try it, but an acupressure mat gives you the ability to gain some of those results at home. Acupuncture uses tiny needles placed in particular points on the body, but acupressure uses firm round "nails" to massage those acupoints (it's a lot less scary than it sounds). I've been using the Bed of Nails Eco Mat and Pillow ($180), and it's become a relaxation must-have for me to power down at the end of the day (or sometimes as a lunchtime break). Bed of Nails offers a few nice colors that are cheaper at $80 for a mat or $120 for the mat and pillow combo, but the more expensive Eco Mat is made of biodegradable materials like coconut fiber, buckwheat hull, 100 percent recyclable high impact polystyrene plastic, and linen. Sip Some Tea Photograph: Sips By I set my coffee pot on a timer so the smell gets me out of bed in the morning (coffee is my lifeline). My brain has associated it with getting my day started and therefore I can never be without it. Tea, on the other hand, I associate with relaxing at the end of the day, maybe while curled up in a robe or soaking in a warm bath. So when I brew myself a cup, I know it's time to wind down. But being a more prolific coffee drinker, I never know what tea to get. That’s where a Sips By subscription comes in. First, you take a quiz to figure out the types of tea you might be interested in—pick your favorite flavor profiles, select caffeinated or caffeine-free, loose leaves or bagged—and then you'll receive a curated selection of four teas (I chose bagged tea and got four bags of each, equaling about 16 cups altogether). If you choose loose leaves, you'll get filters as well. After trying them, you can rate the teas so the next month's box will be more in line with your preferences. It's not the best option for experienced tea lovers, but now's a good time to try out some calming brews if you haven't before. Try an Epsom Salt Bath There is nothing else that makes me feel as good as a warm bath. If everyone took two baths a day, I'm pretty sure we'd achieve world peace. If you're feeling overwhelmed and have a bathtub, fill it with warm water and Epsom salts (Dr. Teal's with lavender is my favorite). Light some candles and pour yourself a glass of wine or cup of tea. Now close your eyes and try to turn your brain off for a few minutes. Use a Weighted Blanket Photograph: Yaasa When all else fails, crawl into bed and pull 20 or so pounds over your body and breathe. Scream into your pillow if necessary. We rounded up our favorite weighted blankets at various budgets. For me, the Yaasa ($249) has been a godsend. It feels sufficiently weighty, even compared to blankets I tested that weigh more, and because it's open-knit it doesn't get as hot underneath. For a more drapey and traditional-looking blanket, we also like the Casper Weighted Blanket ($161) and the Luna ($75). Ways to Stay Sane and Relaxed During Quarantine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3175x175(CURRENT).thumb.jpg.b05acc060982b36f5891ba728e6d953c.jpg)
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.