In times of crisis it can be hard to know what to do and how to go on, but one thing that can help you to feel more like your usual self is to maintain some form of routine. If you have already fallen off the bandwagon, and are hell-bent on spending your lockdown life in your pjs, don’t worry – we feel ya, and there’s still time to make a change.

A great place to start is your attitude – try not to think that you are stuck at home, but safe at home. See this period of self-isolation as an opportunity, a chance to do that one thing you keep putting off. But if you need inspiration, we’ve found plenty of fun, creative, and productive ideas to fill your days with!

Decorate

Talking of things on your to-do list, we bet there is a room in your house that you have been meaning to spruce up? Well now is the time to do it! Take some inspiration from interiors magazines, cut out the pieces that you love the most, and stick them onto another piece of paper to start creating a mood board. Living in rented accommodation? Why not give your space a spring clean? It is the right season after all! Chuck out the things that you don’t like, and liven up your space with some living plants, new furniture or jazzy lighting. There’s no time like the present – after all you’ll be spending a little more time in your home than usual.

Learn

If you have a lot more time on your hands it can be tempting to sit in front of the TV, rolled up in your dressing gown. Try not to let this garment become your depressing gown and learn a new skill instead. Knitting and sewing are great skills that will come in handy for the rest of your life. Alternatively, why not plan ahead and try to learn the language of the destination you intend to visit next? Download the Duolingo app to get started, and work towards a new goal every day. Fancy just sticking to English for now? Why not write down some memoirs from your past trips, to reminisce and sit alongside your photos. Or you could try your hand at creative writing! Wondering where to start? Here’s a prompt for you: dream-catcher. Write something inspired by a recent dream you had.

Create

Beautiful things can come out of difficult times! Some of the world’s most brilliant companies, apps and art were born from times of hardship – and you could be next! So, why not whack out that paintbrush? You don’t have to be an incredible portrait painter, or even good at drawing landscapes, maybe try your hand at abstract art and let the paints and materials do the talking! If you really don’t know where to start, take a look on social media, where artists are offering prompts to help get you started. Not up to the challenge? You could print off some colouring sheets instead – it has been proven that the act of colouring can relieve stress and help to ease anxiety, something we could all do with right now. Alternatively, get the creative juices flowing while filling your belly too – try looking up some recipes online and get baking.

Fun

So, we’ll be honest, a lot of life’s biggest joys have been cruelly snatched away – but we know it is for good reason. This doesn’t mean, however, that we can’t create our own fun! Why not transform your outside space into a day spa? Pick a sunny day, whip yourself up a delicious tipple (pink lemonade is a great choice) and turn your washing up bowl into a foot spa. We hear that mixing one part Listerine, one part white vinegar and two parts warm water wipes those calluses right off! ‘But what do we do when the sun’s not shining?’ – we hear you cry. Make a movie den! Use your sofa, chairs and other furniture to suspend sheets and blankets, then pop your laptop and soft furnishings inside (or build it around your TV) and you have your own little cinema. Be sure to stock up on snacks and decide on a movie to watch before you settle down. Not a fan of either of these ideas? Whack out the old board games – there’s hours of fun to be had with a great playlist and a good game of scrabble, monopoly or even a puzzle.

Exercise

And finally, one that is proven to boost your endorphins and make you happy – exercise! Most people are permitted to go out once a day for exercise, so be sure to make the most of this. There are plenty of ways to help you get started, like Couch to 5k, an app that teaches you to run in intervals and aims to have every user running five kilometres, or consistently for 30 minutes, three times a week. That sounds like a challenge to us! Not keen on cardio? Head right on over to YouTube, where there are yoga lessons, Zumba workouts and pilates classes available at the touch of a button – the best bit? They’re all free!