Tips For Self-Isolation.

Well, what a strange time this is. Knowing we're living in a future history lesson, the shops are almost empty and being unable to leave the house to 'flatten the curve'. It's scary for a lot of people and understandably so. It's also very frustrating for many reasons. People are unnecessarily panic buying (if everyone just bought food like normal then shops will be able to stock up like normal) and not knowing how long this is going to last for, feeling like you're trapped indoors are just some of the many, many thoughts that have been going through my mind.

For those who don't know I am currently living with the owner of the boat in his Monaco apartment as the boat is in Gibraltar for the winter (and is now stuck there because of the virus). He's an elderly man that needs help with a few things throughout the day and because the crew on board know him the best he asked if one of the interior girls would help him until he moved back on board.

Which was fine, I get up at 7:30 to do the breakfast service and then I'm pretty much free to do my own thing the entire day until the evening where I help with dinner service and assist him to get to bed. It was amazing, even though I'm constantly on standby in case he needs anything, I was still getting my major project from the boat finished, I was catching up on my series, I could sit outside on the balcony and read. But, my favourite time of the day was when I got to take my break. Because I live and work in the same place, it's very important for me to get away from the apartment every day for at least 40 minutes, whether that was going to the shops or for a walk or to get coffee, I lived for early afternoon when I could breathe a bit.

That was until Monday when France and subsequently Monaco, announced that everyone needs to self-isolate. So now what? I'm stuck in a very warm apartment (what is it with the elderly needing it to be about 30°C indoors?) that smells like cigar fumes and hand sanitizer and I can't even go for a walk.

So these are my self-isolation survival tips.

1. Try to keep your normal routine as much as possible.

I know it is so tempting to have a lie in, or not get dressed or watch netflix all day. Don't do that. What is helping me is keeping my work days for work and my weekends for me. Save the lie-ins for the weekend.

Get out of bed at the same time you normally would, get dressed and put on your make-up. Guess what? Now you have time in the morning. So why not experiment with a hairstyle or try something new with your make-up?

Have your breakfast and your coffee then sit down to work. If you can't work from home use this time to try something new. I started this blog but it might be teaching yourself to cook or spring cleaning or sorting out that drawer with random cables and batteries (I know you have one, everyone does). Do something that is going to keep your mind active.

Take breaks. What works for me is to take a 20/30 minute break at about 10:00, stopping for lunch for an hour at about 1, then another 20/30 minute break at about 15:30 then I end my day at 5. This is important, even though you work from home now doesn't mean you should work more than you normally would. End your work day, switch off and relax.

2. Keep Fit.

Walking outside was the only form of exercise I could do all day. So now what? My solution to this was ordering myself a yoga mat and a couple of therabands on Amazon and finding this really cool app called FitOn. They have so many free workout classes that don't require much (or any) gym equipment. There is something for everyone on there, including classes from celebrities. I mean who doesn't want to do Yoga with Jonathan Van Ness honey?

3. Fresh Air

I cannot state this enough. Fresh air is so important, therapeutic even. Take time every day for at least 30 mins to sit outside. Self-Isolation does not mean you can't sit in your garden or on your balcony. Check what the isolation rules are in your country but perhaps you can still go for a walk. Do it and make the most of it.

4. Stay in Touch

Whether or not you live at home alone or with your family, check in with your friends and family. Self-isolation does not mean you should be lonely. You're looking after your physical health but don't forget about your mental health too. Schedule phone calls with your buddies, send each other good news stories. Netflix even has a Chrome extension called Netflix Party. It allows you to remotely watch Netflix together by syncing up playback on all your devices and adding a chat tab so you can comment as you watch. How cool?

5. Stay informed.

Stay informed but don't obsess over the bucket loads of articles and information there is out there. It creates more anxiety than it's worth. I check the World Health Organisation once a day. It's the most reputable source of information that won't have anything but the facts on it.

6. Do One Thing For Yourself

Finally, do one thing that gets you excited every day. Having something to look forward to gets you through all the boring and miserable stuff. Some of the things I like doing is having a bath, or reading my magazine in the sun outside, writing my blog is something I really enjoy. But find something that you love.

Hang in there guys, as everyone keeps saying; be grateful we were only called to sit at home, our Grandparents were called to war. We can do this, it's going to be okay.