covid-19

Tips to Feeling Fresh While in Quarantine

June 8, 2020 By lyndsinreallife Leave a Comment

Quarantine Cozy. The look we’ve all been sporting for months now: sweatpants, torn old t-shirts, disheveled hair that really needs a haircut. Turns out being in lockdown really has a major effect on what you decide to wear, and how many times you choose to, uh, shower each week. It also seems like it’s crept into a lot of homes as clutter seems to be building up.

So, what are some tips to freshen up both yourself and your living space while you continue to quarantine? Look no further!

It’s time. Switch out your pajamas for some comfy clothes like high-quality hoodies, athleisure, or just by putting on shoes instead of slippers for the 91st day in a row. Again, you don’t have to wear a three-piece suit to feel good. Feeling extra fancy? Put on that beautiful dress or shirt you’ve been wanting to wear since the weather turned warm.

If you have a weekly get-together with your friends online, put your best face forward by slipping into something clean and fresh feeling, and even consider donning some jewelry or a new tie that you’ve been wanting to sport. And hey, if you’re still wearing pants, nobody will be any wiser.

It’s time for some spring cleaning! If you haven’t jumped on the Marie Kondo bandwagon, there’s no time like lockdown present. While the Kon Mari method breaks down exactly where to start de-cluttering, a less extreme way to add some life to your home is to simply analyze the clutter, and where things typically stack up. Then, take action.

If you’re continually fighting surface space, ask yourself why. If it’s because you don’t have great organization, put baskets in specific areas for shoes, keys, and so on.

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While you spring (or summer!) clean, take down any curtains, remove all your bedding, and throw them all in the wash. Get your rugs outside, and start shaking them out! A fresh and clean space will feel amazing after so much time in lockdown.

Light your outdoor space. While quarantine began in cooler months, it’s now transitioning into summer, and there’s no reason you can’t be spending more time outside. If you haven’t reset your patio for summer, what are you waiting for? Get your outside furniture freshened up, and hang any string lights that you take down for winter months. For some inspiration, check out our earlier article on our outdoor furniture and lighting. Lighting really does make a huge difference when you’re feeling less-than-fresh.

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Get some fresh air into your home. If you are in need of some natural light, you’re not alone. Open those windows, and let some fresh air in, as well as some natural sunlight. It can have a huge effect on your mood. However, if you’re a little more prone to allergies, keep those windows closed, those air filters cleaned, and try a different approach, like opting for diffusers for a subtle scent. With so many options on the market, you can likely find one that fits the aesthetic decor of your home.

How do you stay fresh while in quarantine? Comment below!

Thank you for reading!

Health

How to Keep Yourself Occupied During Lockdown

May 18, 2020 By lyndsinreallife Leave a Comment

The world is currently facing trying times due to coronavirus, and it’s proving to affect everyone in different ways. However, some people are using this unique situation as a way to rekindle their creative fires or as a chance to complete any long put-off tasks. During these times, it’s only natural that we may feel dips within our motivation levels and our overall mental health. This is why it’s so important to fill your days in lockdown with engaging and creative activities, and to remind yourself that you are not in a productivity competition with others. If you’re at an end with things to do to occupy yourself during lockdown other than Netflix bingeing and ab workouts, these six refreshing ideas are for you!

Get Creative

It may be hard to believe, but the opportunities to be creative at home are endless! With so much technology at our fingertips, it’s easy to get started on your own YouTube channel or create your own personal blog that covers topics that you’re excited about and want to share with the rest of the world. If you’ve been delaying writing a novel or postponing reading a trilogy, now is the perfect time to complete just that! You can also try out journaling, doodling, and painting, which can be ideal for de-stressing and to separate yourself from negative media reporting that can often be hard to ignore. To avoid procrastination, try to put away your phone or any other distractions you usually have, and set goals for what you would like to achieve or complete during the week.

Learn New Skills

The extra time we now have at home has provided us with the unique opportunity to learn new skills or to pick up on a hobby where we left off. You can learn a new language, advance your career related skills with online courses, or even try new hobbies that you may not usually be drawn to, such as learning how to give readings with tarot cards. For those who love the outdoors, why not give gardening a shot? Even if it just means helping your family out with planting a few new flowers, gardening can be a therapeutic and rewarding activity, and it’s also an excuse to get out in the sun in the comfort of your own home.

Sort Out Your Wardrobe

There’s nothing more satisfying than a clean room, and for most people, clothes can take up a lot of the space! Sort out your clothes and decide what to keep or what to give away to charity when you can. If you’re wanting a bit of extra cash, why not sell your unwanted clothes, electronics, or books? Having a fresh start doesn’t have to be limited to just your bedroom – take a shot at some DIY video tutorials, rearrange furniture in your living room, or paint walls and hang up cheerful art prints to create the impression of a fresh, new space.

Watch your old family videos and look through photo albums

There’s something so magical about looking back into the past and laughing at embarrassing photos of yourself or your siblings. This is a great way to bring the whole family together without the use of technology and screens, and it can really lighten the mood when you need it most. You can even organize and print off your recent photos to make new albums, buy scrapbooks to fill with all your favorite memories, or even create a fun video compilation from past trips and vacations that you can send to your family and friends.

Bake!

Now more than ever is the best time to grab those baking books that have been stored away for years in the kitchen and start mixing up some sweet treats. Getting creative in the kitchen doesn’t have to be just restricted baking either – you can easily gather cooking inspiration through blogs, TV shows, YouTube videos and cooking apps to organise fun dinner times where you and your family can take turns in preparing tasty meals (and desserts!).

Games Night

Why not gather the family one evening and enjoy laughs, delicious food, and a good old fashioned board or card game. As we can all often get carried away with the whirlwind of social media and technology, this can be a perfect idea to kick back and spend time socializing with your loved ones. However, this doesn’t have to mean you can’t invite family and friends to join in on the fun via video call!

How are you keeping busy during this quarantine?

Thank you for reading!

Health Reviews

Always Have Great Tasting “Flavored” Water with TASTEit Bottles

April 9, 2020 By lyndsinreallife Leave a Comment

We’re going through a weird time right now. Social Distancing, Stay-At-Home orders, business closures, and a shortage of bottled water (among other things). When all this COVID-19 panic became very real, I ordered a water filter and pitcher so I could filter my tap water. But what about a bottle to use for on-the-go, and what about the flavored water I like so much? That’s where TASTEit bottles come in!

flavors in order: mandarin orange, mixed berry, peach, lemon

I love flavored water (especially sparkling) but hate the artificial sweeteners and fake flavors. I don’t want unnecessary calories, additives. carbs, or sugar. I also don’t want to create more waste with plastic bottles or aluminum cans; the earth doesn’t need that. With TASTEit bottles (BPA free), I can reuse them over and over again!

Here’s the really cool part: the flavor (mixed berry, peach, mandarin orange, and lemon) comes from just a scent, not actual flavor! Did you know that 80% of taste is actually smell?

TASTEit utilizes this phenomenon by infusing its lid with all natural fruit flavors so that while drinking water, the scented lid makes our brain think we are drinking water with a hint of fruit flavor.

The bottle comes with a lid that is infused with natural fruit flavors. There are two tips for each bottle/lid: sweet and non-sweet. They both are made with FDA & EU compliant all-natural fruit flavor, plus sweetener for the sweet lid.

It’s really cool how it works! It tastes as if I’m drinking actual flavored water. Great flavor without the calories and sweeteners. Perfect!

TASTEit bottles retail for $24.95 USD, and right now, I can offer you 30% off with code Future30! Approximately $17.47 per bottle (before tax and shipping) is a pretty great deal! Get your bottle at www.tasteithealth.com.

Find TASTEit on:
Instagram — @tasteithealth
Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/tasteithealth/

Lipton Publicity provided samples and all opinions I express are my own.

Do you enjoy flavored water? Would you purchase TASTEit water bottles? Comment below!

Thank you for reading!

Health

4 Health Hacks To Help Survive A Global Pandemic

March 30, 2020 By lyndsinreallife Leave a Comment

Pexels – CC0 License

The Coronavirus pandemic is restricting the way people move and act. Among many other things, one of the areas that is impacted is health and wellbeing. When you’re confined to your home or trying to stay away from the outside world, it’s hard to keep fit. Unfortunately, this is counterproductive because you need to work out to boost and maintain your immune system. It’s a sticky situation to be in, especially if your state is under lockdown right now and your options are limited.

Thankfully, it is possible to survive a pandemic without ruining your physical or mental health.

Home Workouts

The most comfortable and most accessible option is to exercise at home. Sure, it’s not as fulfilling as going to the gym, nor does it feel as effective, but it is a fantastic option if you choose a quality work out. Lots of classes and apps are free to download due to Covid-19, so a quick internet search should reveal the best ones. Alternatively, you can use household products if you don’t have the right equipment. Bags of sugar, for instance, are excellent makeshift dumbbells. The doorframe is perfect for pull-ups, too. And, if the kids have a jump rope, you can do thirty minutes and work up a sweat. (Just don’t count on lifting toilet paper- TP is like currency right now!)

Pets

Pets are keeping people sane in countries in lockdown, and they can do the same for you. Taking the dog for a walk is a legitimate excuse to leave home and get a decent amount of exercise. After all, you can stay out longer than you usually would without getting in trouble. NOTE: follow the social distancing guidelines. Stay 6 feet away from other people, wear a mask if possible, and some recommend wearing gloves while picking up your dog’s poop.

On the flip side, helping the family pooch get rid of excess energy could encourage you to use the garden/yard more often. Running around or throwing a ball for him to fetch will at least mean you’ll get some fresh air instead of being stuck inside all day.

Standard Maintenance

The key is not to let your usual routine collapse. Not only is it bad for fitness, but it can affect other parts of your health that you take for granted. Do you have an emergency dental visit on the cards? If so, it might have been preventable if you continued to brush your teeth twice a day, flossed, and used mouthwash. Your skin is the same, too. You might not leave the house, yet moisturizing is a must if you don’t want your skin to become flaky (especially during this dry season!).

Brain Training

Your mind is going to deal with a lot in the next couple of weeks. It’s likely the outbreak will escalate and staying at home will be more necessary than ever. In this scenario, it’s tempting to feel down and let negative emotions impact your thinking. Therefore, brain training is crucial, and this isn’t only a reference to puzzles and crosswords. Avoiding speculation, reading about the pandemic via established sources, and anticipating stress can help. As always, the best tactic is to stay connected and to socialize virtually, whether it’s with WhatsApp or FaceTime.

How are you handling the global pandemic?

Thank you for reading!