Health & wellness

Nabdeep Gill suggests ideas to pamper yourself when you’re feeling overwhelmed Self-care in self-quarantine

DIY spa day

With social distancing in place, many of us have put a hold on visiting beauty and massage parlours. But that doesn’t mean you can’t throw on a robe, put on some zen music and pamper yourself from head to toe with a DIY spa day at home. If you’re feeling extra crafty, you can even DIY your own face masks using kitchen staples like oatmeal, honey and cucumber. Otherwise, our favourite beauty brands LUSH, Rituals and Vinoble Cosmetics will have you sorted with bath bombs, bubble bars, body scrubs and more.

Spend time in nature

Hong Kong has the perfect mix of concrete jungle and lush forests that allows us to take a break from urban life when it all gets too much. Taking a walk outdoors can help to rejuvenate your mind, body and spirit, disconnect yourself from the distractions of the world and reduce anxiety by quieting the mind.

Credit: Mark Lehmkuhler

lockdown, many have turned to quarantine baking to relieve stress and pass time – as proven by the shortage of flour and whipping cream at the supermarkets. Baking is the perfect activity to switch your mind off from distracting thoughts and simply focus on following the step-by-step instructions of a recipe.

Nurture your green thumb

While not all of us live in large houses with gardens, we can all make room for one or two potted plants in our living space. These indoor greens are an instant mood lifter and can help to sweep away some of those coronavirus blues. If you’re new to gardening, there are now indoor garden kits with automated LED lighting and watering like the Veritable Smart Indoor Garden to help you grow your stress away.

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good tune always puts you in a better mood and moving your body allows you to let loose the unexpended energy from being cooped up in the house all day. Make this into a workout by taking an online Zumba class to pump your heart rate up.

Founder of Destination Deluxe Vivienne Tang shares tips on staying healthy at home

Chant om

Meditation is a powerful antidote to anxiety and stress. You can try different breathing exercises and even incorporate your mindfulness practice into parts of your daily routines like eating mindfully or walking slowly to increase awareness of your surroundings.

Declutter your space

Got a desk piled high with jumble and a wardrobe full of unwanted clothes? If you

Inhale and exhale with Delia Leung Credit: @delia.indrayoga

have seen the Netflix hit show Tidying Up with Marie Kondo, you’ll know that having a clean space is essential for your physical and mental health – or simply put, sparks joy! Once you’ve started organising your home, it can help you gain a sense of control over your life and declutter your mind too.

Just dance

Put on your favourite Spotify playlist and kick start your own solo dance party! A

What exercise routine do you recommend?

Everybody’s different and needs to find something that excites them and motivates them. At the moment I’m doing martial arts-inspired home workouts in my living room. If the weather allows, I mask up and go for hikes. I also have a “secret” meditation spot in the forest near my house.

What are you doing to stay on top of your fitness game?

Like everybody else, I’ve also had to readjust to the current circumstances. But it is reassuring to see that once you come to a place of acceptance, a new path can unfold in front of you. I work closely with an energy practitioner if I’m facing something big. I also do daily breathwork exercises and take cold showers à la Wim Hof to bring down my cortisol levels.

How do you stay motivated?

It’s important we do things that we love, things that still excite us. There’s nothing worse than having to do something we hate, when work becomes a chore. I always tell people to try to visualise and manifest their work being something they enjoy.

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