First of all, I’d like to know how you’re doing. The world is in quarantine and it’s not easy. How are you holding up? I sincerely hope you’re doing okay. To help you just a little bit, I wrote down four pieces of advice you might be able to use the following weeks. I hope at least one of these tips are making it just a little easier for you.
And well, please don’t hesitate to share your good advice with my. Even I — the hermit — have more off days than usual.
Go outside, if possible
Okay, a little disclaimer here. This is not possible for everyone. In Holland, we’re luckily able to go outside if we want to. We’re encouraged to stay at home as much as possible, but we can go for a walk, go ride our bike or go for a run. And it’s good for you. If it’s possible for you, go outside everyday. As long as you keep your distance. And listen to your government.
And the rest of the day? Open your curtains, the windows if it’s not too cold, breath in fresh air and get yourself some sun based vitamin D. If you’re anything like me, you need some extra vitamin D in the winter. I still take supplements right now, because I’m not as much outside as I should be this time of year. It’s spring, but it’s much harder to enjoy the sun these days. I’m very much looking forward to the day the bars and restaurants can open their doors again so we can crash their terrasses.
Move it, baby!
I’m probably not the only one having a hard time with getting regular exercise. Turns out, even I have several routines. I thought I always go with the flow, but right now, I miss my usual training at the gym on Tuesday morning. The lack of routine makes it harder for me to go for a run or pick up the weights we bought to work out at home.
But I’m trying to structure my working out routine a little. Because it’s more important than ever to get that dopamine shot from a good work out. These shots are scarce now that everything I like to do is canceled or impossible, so I need to get it somewhere. Plus, the quarantine kilo’s. I don’t think I need to tell you more about that.
Anyhow, get moving. Go for a small walk, do some burpees or push-ups everyday, dance to your favourite song or find yourself a great yoga teacher on YouTube. Move. It’ll help you. Yes — I’m saying this to myself as well. Get your ass moving, Ingelise.
Cleanse your house from unhealthy snacks
Like I just said, quarantine kilo’s. It’s very tempting to go for an unhealthy snack if you’re at home all day. Chocolat for breakfast, lunch with crisps (and a mayonnaise dip), instant noodles as a snack and well, an apple for dinner. Unless your very, very disciplined, just don’t buy this stuff. Fill your fridge with healthy comfort food — like homemade soup.
In The Netherlands, there’s a campaign to make small ‘food switches’. Make a little change every day. Sparkling water instead of a sugar filled glass of juice. Veggies with hummus (or another healthy dip) instead of a fried bite. Nuts instead of crisps (as a crisp lover, I will never do this.) The only thing I cannot recommend, is unsalted nuts. Life is too short for unsalted nuts. Just get them fatty, salty nuts for a snack. You don’t have to torture yourself.
Get a hobby
If I have to believe Instagram, the world is now filled with genius puzzlers, incredible cooks and very fit people. I know this because my new hobby is scrolling down the ‘explore’ section of Instagram. Mainly looking for dresses I can never buy, hairdressers making rainbow coupes and people showing how they do their hair and make up. Tutorials I’m forgetting as soon as I scroll along. But hey, it keeps me inside most of the time.
I realised that beside scrolling through Instagram, I needed another hobby. Making music like I did when I was a kid, only frustrates me now because I can’t do it as well as I used to. So I picked up writing for myself again, creative writing as well as blogging, as you can see. And I’m reading again. Now that I don’t have any social things to do, there’s space in my head to read a book.
So, write, pick up a book, start a podcast or YouTube-channel, make your neighbours happy with all the cakes you’re baking or buy that enormous, very difficult puzzle. Find something that makes you happy. And that’s the most important thing, it has to make you happy. A hobby is something you do for you. Don’t let anyone bring you down, try not to care if no one listens to your podcast and be okay with it if you’re not finishing the puzzle as fast as everyone else online. This is your hobby, you’re doing this for you and only you. Unless you decide to become a drummer, I’d check with the neighbours.
Now tell me, what’s your advice?
Hi! I’m Ingelise de Vries, a journalist and (copy)writer from The Netherlands. That means I’m Dutch, so there could be a mistake in this piece. Spotted one? Don’t hesitate to let me know through info@ingelisedevries.nl. Want to know more about me? I’m telling you all about it right here.
