Stuck at home? These 10 tips will get you through!

Normally we’d all be fighting and studying for next week’s exams, but the Coronavirus has turned the world upside down and it is important to avoid social contacts. We suddenly have a lot more time because most work, studies, and appointments can’t go on anymore. Are you bored, now that the VU, restaurants, cafes and the gym are closed? Do you wonder what you can do now you’re stuck at home? Here are 10 tips to get through.

Arrange and rearrange

Start by organizing your room and wardrobe. Not just for the bedroom, but for the whole house. A cleaned-up house radiates tranquillity. Do you quickly want to give a new touch to your bedroom? Then replace the duvet cover for a new one. Add some new decorative pillows, a nice bedspread and you’ll feel like you’re in a new bedroom. Avoid large empty walls, as this makes the space empty and unsociable. Decorate your wall with different picture frames with artworks in it. 

Get creative!

You can also make your own decorations for your room, like painting something in your favorite colors. One thing is for sure: anyone can do it! If paint is nothing for you, but you do like working with pencils or ink, then drawing is a good option.
Not handy with your hands, but with the computer? Then digital art might be your thing! Digital art is popular and can be used for many things, like a blog.
Have you ever made a mood board?  Nice for inspiration, but with a little effort and creativity it can become so beautiful. This could definitely be an eye-catcher in your living room.

Relax, renew, refresh

Relaxing at home is easier if you have a relaxed home to enjoy! Science shows that meditation reduces stress, increases mental clarity and improves sleep. The mentality determines the behavior, the look and the attitude towards the events around you.
There are many types of mindsets, depending on the environment. Here you can read how to master your mindset.
Refresh yourself by starting a skin routine. Whatever your skin type, a daily skincare routine can help you maintain the overall health of your skin and improve specific problems such as acne, scars and dark spots. Start with a basic and simple routine to see how your skin reacts.  Once you feel comfortable, you can add additional products such as exfoliants, masks and stain treatments to improve the health of your skin.

Netflix (& chill) Party

Do you often watch a movie or a series with your love or friends? And is it no longer possible to watch with a large group? Via Netflix Party, you can still enjoy a series or movie together.  You can watch and chat at the same time. All you have to do is install the Netflix Party extension! Now you can select what you want to see on Netflix, and start a party via “NP” next to the address bar.

Learn a new language!

Have you always been fascinated by a language? But have you never had the opportunity to learn it? This is your chance! Use your time wisely, and start learning a new language. You can do this via various courses available online, or via an app on your phone, for example, Duolingo.

Just do it! 

Are you often to be found at the gym? Or do you like sports to clear your head? Then it’s a pity the gyms are closed now… Luckily there are enough exercises to do at home! Look for a workout that suits you. There are many different workout apps, such as 7 Minute Workout. If this is too short for you, look for workout challenges that last a month or more. Do you prefer cardio?  Then use your time to get some fresh air, by walking, jogging or cycling.  

Good food, good mood 

Now it is the perfect moment to stand a little longer in the kitchen. Of course, you can now still order or pick up food to support your favorite restaurants. But you can also take the time to prepare a delicious dish for your roommates or your family. Be inspired by these dishes, or think of something out of the box yourself.

It’s 2020, meet online 

Stuck at home because of the Coronavirus pandemic? Staying at home can mean that you still have work to do, or that you want to communicate with friends and family. Thankfully, there are several decent video chat and conference apps available that can help you stay in touch with everyone you need. Facetime, Houseparty or Whatsapp are best used to call your friends. Skype is useful for group chats, and Hangouts is useful for meetings.

Memories last a lifetime

Have you always wanted to make photo books out of the thousands of photos you have on your phone? But haven’t you had time to sort all those photos? Now you can look at all your memories and sort them out. Go through your camera roll, choose your favorite photos from the past year and create a photo book or order framed versions online.  

What is next?

It is still unclear to everyone how long we will be in this situation. When can we get back to the VU? When will the restaurant and cafes reopen? We don’t know the answer to these questions. But what can you do in the meantime? Make a list of restaurants, cafes, museums, sporting events and concerts you want to visit when everything is finally open again.

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We hope you’re all okay, and we hope to see you at the VU again soon.

Stay safe all,
Blog Committee