How to Stay Safe (AND SANE) During Lockdown
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How to Stay Safe (AND SANE) During Lockdown



Due to the current worldwide health pandemic (COVID-19) that we are all enduring right now, I have decided to share with you my top tips and advice on how to stay safe and SANE during "social distancing". Of course I am not a qualified health professional, but these are just my own personal pieces of advice on what I am doing during this time and hopefully you may find them useful for your current situation too.


Being a solo entrepreneur and also being in a long distance relationship for the last 13 years I am quite used to self-isolation and being alone for long periods. For me this "lockdown" we are facing is pretty much just like every other day for me. Good news is, I have managed to survive this long without going stir crazy and you can too!


I am lucky to be on my tiny little island at this time. In general, islanders are pretty chilled out and laid back and the community spirit is always strong. It's been proven that the weather effects your mood and wellbeing so living in a warm climate with year round sunshine definitely makes a difference to your state of mind.


As a small business owner, I understand the added stress this pandemic will be having right now on other local/small, family businesses. We all have bills to pay and mouths to feed and as much as I would like to remain "normal" and continue to post cute pics of my island-inspired apparel to generate sales, I don't really feel comfortable with that right now. Buying a cheeky slogan t-shirt isn't exactly your priority at this moment in time.


So instead of promoting my products, I will be promoting POSITIVITY!



1. STAY HOME.

It sounds boring, I know, but trust me, not only could you save your own life... You could also be saving someone else's.

People around the world are taking precautions to protect themselves from the coronavirus. But some people are at a much higher risk for serious complications from the virus than others, including the elderly and people who are immunocompromised. These people are at a higher risk so please don't think that because you are fit and healthy and may be able to fight infection that others will automatically be able to do the same.

Staying home doesn't need to be a drag... Think of it as a well-deserved break and an opportunity to do all things you've been putting off doing. I am sure everyone has a to-do list as long as their arm... Now is the time to start checking things off that list.


  • Organize your bedroom closet, kitchen cupboards and that s**t drawer full of junk we all have


  • Give a room in your house a mini makeover by rearranging the furniture or hanging some pretty pictures


  • Have a social "detox" and unfriend/unfollow the people/accounts who don't make you feel like sunshine


  • It's the first day of Spring so get cleaning. Thoroughly disinfect worktops, door handles and any other surfaces you use. It's better to be safe than sorry.


  • Read that book that's sitting on the bookshelf gathering dust.


Or if you are not in to the paperback variety, I have plenty of reading material in my blog to keep you occupied. My top read blog posts include:








2. DON'T STOP DAYDREAMING.

Although we are all on a travel ban right now that doesn't mean we have to stop dreaming of all the exotic destinations we want to explore in the future. Take this time to plan your dream trip, the one you've had on your bucket list for years.


Just by researching new countries and locations will give your mood a boost.


Create some excitement by choosing your accommodation, the restaurants you want to eat at, the excursions and wonders of the world that you want to see, the beaches that you would like to walk barefoot on. Keep the travel bug alive by saving all your vacation inspo to your own personal vision board on Pinterest.... Trust me, it's a rabbit hole... Once you start pinning you will discover destinations that you never even knew you needed to visit!




3. CHECK IN.

In an age where our attention span has dropped to only a few seconds because our brain has become so used to fast-paced content, we seem to have forgotten about the art of conversation.

We all know that "life happens" and we can often get caught up in ourselves and lose touch with family and friends but now that life has been put on pause we can use this to our advantage and pick up where we left off.


Take this time on lockdown to pick up the phone or arrange a video call with loved ones across the globe, friends in far places or someone you haven't spoke to in a long time.


Ask them if they are ok but really mean it. And then listen to their answer. Giving someone your time and attention is priceless. At a time like this when people are feeling isolated and lonely it's more important than ever before to "check in" with them to see how they are doing.


An actual conversation with an old friend is better than therapy. Before you know it you will be reminiscing taking a trip down memory lane and belly laughing at all the things only you two find funny. They say it's good to talk, and it truly is. Make that call today and you will instantly feel happier.



4. LEARN SOMETHING NEW.

Learning new skills can be useful, fun and generally benefit your wellbeing.


  • Learning a new foreign language can provide a number of amazing results in your life. You can use this new language skill when you travel to new places and actually be able to speak with the locals.


  • Get creative. Perhaps you always wanted to learn to draw or paint, or make your own jewellery, or turn your journal entries in to poetry... Whatever it is, start today.


  • Try new recipes. Even if you are not much a of "chef" in the kitchen, learning to cook is pretty essential to staying alive and seen as though most restaurants and fast-food places are closing their doors, now is the time get cooking. YouTube has millions of recipe tutorials for every type of cuisine you can think of. Perfect pasta, homemade jerk seasoning, vegetable soups, chocolate brownies, Thai spiced fish cakes... Whatever you are craving there will be a recipe to satisfy your tastebuds.


  • Learn an instrument. Remember when you bought that old guitar/flute/drum kit from Amazon/Ebay/Garage Sale?.... Well, it's time to make some sweet music. Not only will you feel great once you have started to master your instrument, you will also make others feel great too. It's a known fact that music lifts your mood and can instantly give you the feel good factor so what are you waiting for?


Not much of a musical genius?... A bit tone deaf (like me)?.... You can always check out my good vibes playlist by clicking here.



5. SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESSES.

Small businesses are already starting to feel the effects of COVID-19 and are worried and unsure how to navigate these troubling times. Sadly some small/local businesses probably won't survive this pandemic and may have to close their doors permanently.


As a small business owner myself, I am considered to be one of the fortunate ones. As I have an e-commerce store I am able to continue to ship to my customers around the world - for the time being. But as I mentioned earlier, I am guessing that people are not exactly in the mood to be doing online shopping these days.


So how can YOU help small businesses during this time?



  • Refer a friend


  • Share photos on social media of you wearing/using a product/item from a small business. I know that I would LOVE to see the Dushi family representing the island vibes wearing my swag, either at home or on past adventures. It sure would make me smile right now



6. BE KIND.

It's a testing time for all of us and although no one wants to spread the virus, there is one thing we can, and should, spread... KINDNESS!


If you have an elderly or vulnerable neighbour, please check on them and ask if they need help.


If you are one of those people who went mental buying 50 packets of toilet paper, don't be greedy... Share them with your neighbours and those who are in more need than you.


If you are batch cooking your meals, make an extra portion if you can and pass on to your neighbour.


This is a worldwide crisis which means we are all in this together.



Stay safe Dushi family,

Sending you love from One Happy Island


xoxo



Click on any of the images below to take you direct to the links mentioned above.


WANDERLUST INSPIRATION:



FREE WALLPAPERS TO BRIGHTEN UP YOUR DAY:










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