Mini Series: 6 Ways to be More Productive at Home
Are you social distancing? For most of us, self-isolation is like the whiplash you experience after an unexpected, abrupt halt cruising at 70 miles per hour. These are unprecedented times; the notion of staying at home for an extended period is a lot for anyone to wrap their head around, both physically and mentally. And the present situation, in particular, means we have a lot of unexpected, newfound time on our hands to utilise.
So whether you are self-isolating, or practising social distancing, there’s a world to explore from your armchair to help prevent cabin fever and keep your mind and body active. Instead of glueing yourselves to the TV, why not explore some of the free opportunities to keep yourself entertained indoors while you’re stuck at home. When it comes to learning new skills and bettering yourself, there really is no time like the present. What about starting to learn a language, studying a free university paper, or doing cool things with the kids? Keeping up connection is important, too, and supporting our friends, colleagues and loved ones is the single best way we can show our care.
Staying in can be just as fun and productive as going out - Instead of sulking in boredom, here are six things you can be getting on with while you’re stuck indoors.
READ A BOOK
Image Credit (left to right) - Pinterest
More downtime inside = more time to read. Stock up on books and engage your brain in something other than Netflix for a change. If you, like me, have a list of books as long as your arm you want to get through this year (or even just in your lifetime), make the most of your time at home and get working through those titles.
Try the book-a-week challenge and then get together on FaceTime with a group of friends to discuss it. Set a target to read a certain amount of pages every single day and engrain it in your daily routine to help reduce your screen time. Or, if you have a list of classics you've been meaning to get through, now's the time.
GET YOUR DIY ON
Image Credit (left to right) - The Every Girl, Camille Styles
It’s now evident that it’s more than just the light bulb that needs fixing… the more time you spend at home, the more you’ll realise how much work there is to be done! So take the time to tackle some interior improvements – be that painting your walls, upholstering old furniture or updating a room. If you're looking for a quality, timeless home accessory to spice up your space; take a look at our Persian and Oriental rugs collections - the perfect addition to liven up an otherwise boring space.
With all the spare time on your hands, there’s no better time to start filtering through all those odd jobs that you just never got around to. If it’s time to re-paint the skirting boards or to drill a hole in the wall and finally hang the mirror up - see what other DIY tasks you can find whilst you’re self-isolating. Remember health and safety at all times!
GO GREEN
Image Credit (left to right) - Pinterest
Just to clarify, this does not mean transforming into the Incredible Hulk- we were thinking more along the lines of growing some veg or herbs! Whether you have a big garden or just an apartment balcony, you can go green. It’s also something fun to get the kids involved in too, and it should definitely take up a significant chunk of your time, especially while the weather is good! Not only will this give you a project to look after day-by-day, but it is also a cost-effective way of getting some sustenance.
If you’re limited to a balcony, keep your space versatile and uncluttered and use self-watering pots for home-grown herbs like rosemary, basil, chives, sage, mint, oregano, parsley and thyme. Introduce colour and natural elements to your house or garden and plant some flowers too - now that the sun is shining, it's the ideal time to get out in the garden and watch your flowers bloom.
STAY HOME AND WORK OUT
Image Credit (left to right) - Pinterest, Lauren Gleisberg
Enjoying your daily quarantine walk? Why not use the space inside your home for a daily at-home workout session too. You’ve been meaning to do it for a while now, but as they say, there’s no time like the present, and what better place than from the comfort of your own home? Transform your lounge into a yoga space and stretch it out - do it at a time you’d usually be home from work, so you can inject your newfound routines into your day-to-day life.
You can find some easy-to-follow workout routines on YouTube; with squats, burpees and press-ups all achievable without equipment. Here are some of our favourites:
LEARN TO PLAY AN INSTRUMENT
Image Credit (left to right) - Apartment Therapy, My Leitmotiv
As we prepare to spend a significant amount of time at home, we must focus on doing things that will enhance our skills and improve productivity. Perhaps you’ve been staring across the room at the dusty old guitar for months, well now is the time to pick it up and start learning. Practising an instrument can be good fun, and it’s also an inventive way to keep yourself entertained, especially when there are slim pickings when it comes to entertainment. Dedicate your new-found time to music and learn an instrument that you've always wanted to play.
LEARN A LANGUAGE
Image Credit - Nafsa
Gone are the days of buying a hard-to-follow book that translates English to the language of your choice. There are a ton of apps and websites that give you lessons for free; available on both iPhone and Android. Our top choice is Duolingo, which takes you through the basics in a course that lasts for as long as you need while you pick up the lingo. Challenge yourself to learn a new language in just a few weeks, it has never been easier and what better time to finally learn a language ready for your next trip away.
Whatever you decide to spend your time doing during social distancing, it’s important to let your creative juices flow. Embark on a creative journey - it can be anything from; sketching and mindful colouring to pottery, cooking, crafts, writing and even throwing a cocktail evening at home for the family. More and more of us are turning to virtual slumber parties on video apps like Houseparty and Zoom so we can keep up with friends, have a laugh, a glass of wine or three, and make the best of the lockdown. So you can too!
You can check us out on Pinterest and Instagram to keep up to date with the latest trends and rug inspo. COVID-19 UPDATE - ONLINE SALES FULLY ACTIVE. Warehouse visits and House visits, closed. You can view one of the largest collections of Persian Rugs in London on our website and if you have any questions, you can contact us here.
