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We’re a week into lockdown here in the UK and I’m sure for some of us, cabin fever is setting in. It’s a weird ol’ situation to be in, even for those of us (like me) who are used to working from home every day or those that thrive off of a routine. Because routine has certainly been throw in the air, hasn’t it? I mean, what even IS time anymore?

Photo by Daiga Ellaby on Unsplash

But of course we’re all doing this for the greater good – to save lives. And in the grand scheme of things, spending a few months at home is nothing. It’s a good time to catch up on those books you’ve been meaning to read, that Netflix list that’s getting longer and longer and giving yourself a bit extra self-care time.

But when this is over and we’re back to work full-time, self-care definitely shouldn’t be pushed to the back of the shelf. So here are some vital things we can treat ourselves to after lockdown is over:

Book a massage

This is the one I’ve missed the most. I always book regular massages for every 2 weeks or so and they are vital for my relaxation time. They’re also incredibly helpful with my muscles and my back, consider I have pretty bad posture and back pain from not having a proper desk to work on. I can’t wait for that first massage back after lockdown!

Attend a Yoga or exercise class

Whilst most of us are exercising at home or doing Yoga at home, I’m sure actually attending a class with other people is something a lot of people will miss doing. So although it’s a vital part of staying healthy, it’s also a nice way to treat your body to something that it’ll appreciate after all this is “over”.

Photo by paje victoria on Unsplash

Book your essential appointments

I’ve always said that I treat cervical screenings as a crucial part of self-care. So when lockdown is over and it’s safe enough to physical go to your doctor surgery again or various clinics again, it’s time to treat yourself to all those essential appointments which might be a little overdue.

There’s loads of different appointments and things to be taking care of. Cervical screenings, as I mentioned. But also getting your eyes tested, going to the dentist or evening booking in for an ear wax removal service – which I’ve had to have done numerous times in the past and it feels SO MUCH BETTER afterwards!

Treat yourself from a small, local business

Both yourself and local businesses are going to need a bit of a treat after all of this. It makes me so sad to see how much smaller businesses are struggling right now. So when we’re allowed back out into the big, wide, world again, it’ll be a good time to treat yourself from a small, local business. Perhaps a local tearoom or small clothing business!

Book a manicure and hand treatment

I don’t know about anyone else but my hands look absolutely AWFUL. They are so dry. They’re cracking. They look like paper bags due to all the hand washing. So when this is over, my hands are going to be one of the first things to get a bit of TLC! And you should put that on your list too!

A full on spa day

If you have the means to do so when everything is back to normal, I’d say it’d be a pretty good time to head off to your local spa and really indulge in all the yummy self care treatments. Heck, we’ll all need them after this! Massages, saunas, facials – you name it!

What are the first things you’re going to treat yourself to when things start going back to normal? Are you in need of any of the things mentioned in this post?

135 Comments

  1. I am gonna do all of it🤩 Shared some new blogs on numerous topics I thought about during this lockdown, would be glad if you check them out and share your feedback ✨

  2. It’s been 55 days here in Paris, tomorrow we’ll be able to start going outside again. Feels surreal! Can’t wait to just go for walks again. I’ll definitely be appreciating the little things much more in the future.

  3. Honestly, the idea of going for a full spa day sounds completely dreamy right now. Even just getting a haircut would feel like such a treat, and I usually hate that haha! I will 100% be straight into my local small businesses though, there’s a really good bookshop near me and I’m so worried it won’t make it!

  4. I’m sooo with you on the massage! Totally needed! I’m also going to see my osteopath, which I would recommend to anyone who has back pain, any pain really. I had chronic plantar fasciitis and tried so many treatments, but it was an osteopath who helped me really heal my feet (and the rest of my ache and pains.)

  5. I like your post about after quarantine Jenny! You touched on something that I often talk about at home. I think a lot of us are going to be way more appreciative of the little things that we take for granted like….getting some fresh air outside or taking a trip to our local cafe. And I couldn’t agree more: self-care needs to be a regular thing in life because it is for our wellbeing after all and wellbeing shouldn’t be a temporary thing because our healh ahd happiness rely on it. When this quarantine is all over, one thing I’d treat myself to for sure is a trip to a local cafe or even discover a new one and savour the time there.

  6. I’m going to treat myself to getting my nails done when this is all over! I was booked in for next weekend as it was a little pre-birthday treat but now that it’s not happening it’s going straight on the agenda for when the lockdown is lifted. I can’t wait to go out for dinner again somewhere too! xx

  7. This reminded me of a meme I saw of everyone’s hair and nails grown out all gross because of lockdown haha. Everyone will be on the nail/hand treatment thing. Especially with all this hand sanitiser.

  8. I’ve had this conversation so much recently. The first thing I’m gonna do is go and see my mum and sisters. Then I’m booking a pedicure and a night away for me and my man!
    Rosie

  9. These are great ideas! I will be getting my nails done again, my eyebrows and then going for a dance! Maybe eat out somewhere too! I can’t wait! You have shared some great suggestions! Xxx

  10. This sounds silly but the thing I’m looking forward to most is doing a proper food shop full of meals that I’d want to make not buying things that are easier to adapt if I can’t get stuff or practical to have in when I can’t just pop to the shop for more ingredients. And the gym, never going to take that place for granted again x

    Sophie

  11. I’m looking forward to supporting small businesses again when the time comes – my favourite place is a little cafe/eco-shop and I hope they survive this. I could also do with going to the denist!

    Ash | thisdreamsalive

  12. Massage or spa day sounds like a good idea! I think once everything goes back to normal I’m definitely going on holiday, and perhaps also going on a trek! I miss travelling so much

  13. I’m with you on the massages! I have a deep tissue massage every month like clockwork in order to deal with my back. My March appointment was 2 days after everything was shut down in the province, meaning that I missed it, and I’m REALLY feeling it right about now. I was already talking to my massage therapist and we agreed that she’ll be getting me in ASAP when things open back up again lol

  14. Once this is over I’ll probably have finished uni forever and be moving back home, so it’s the perfect time to join the gym in my town! Me and my boyfriend were meant to have a spa day for his birthday but never got to do it due to self isolation, so I can’t wait to book in a massage when this is all over! These are some great tips and have really lifted my spirits. I’m super excited to do all this stuff when everything is finally back to normal now x

  15. This is a handy list for someone like me, who rarely thinks ahead of the moment. It is a bummer so many things have been cancelled, and plans for spa dates and fun nights out upset, but continuing to find ways to look out for yourself at home is important to!

  16. Absence makes the heart grow fonder! I’m missing the world! I really can’t wait to walk around without avoiding people and buying what I’d like again. I’m definitely going for a hand treatment because my hands are so sore!

    Daisy xoxo | TheDeeWhoLived

  17. These are amazing suggestions! The first thing I will be doing is doing to a cinema and then heading back to Essex to visit my family, thanks for sharing x

  18. I’ll be glad when I can stop worrying about my son catching the virus. He’s extremely vulnerable as he has Leukaemia. It’s difficult not being able to see family at this time so first thing I will do is make sure I go and see loved ones.

  19. I love this, Jenny, self-care is such an important aspect that I always overlook in favour of running around after Flora. The only bit of me time I get is in my garden, which I’m super grateful for right now. The first thing I’m going to do when this is over is to book a hair appointment – my badger stripe is already showing, I hate to think how grey I’ll be in another 10 weeks’ time, haha! xxx

    Lisa | http://www.lisasnotebook.com

  20. Ah yes! I miss all those things so much. I also miss being able to go out to eat at restaurants and going on date nights with my hubby and all that. I plan on doing all those things and much more when we are all finally released! Which will hopefully pass by quickly!!

  21. These are such great ideas Jenny! 😊

    I don’t even know where I’ll start when this is all over. There are so many things that I think I’ll do just for the sake of it such as go to the shops just to have a browse and get out in the fresh air and spend the day out somewhere.

    Love Lozza xo
    http://girlygabble.com

  22. I have a whole list of things I want to do when this is over that I’m planning to share on my blog too. I’ll definitely be treating myself. I was due to get married in August and I currently don’t know what is going to happen with that so I definitely feel like some pampering will be in order to help me deal with potentially postponing my wedding!

    Lauren | http://www.laurenyloves.co.uk

  23. I had a massage booked that got cancelled because of the virus. I am really kicking myself for not getting my appointments in (hair, nails, massage) prior to all of this happening. I was procrastinating and it really shows now. Hopefully I have learned my lesson and I won’t put things off again! Thanks for the encouragement. It’s good to look at the future instead of feeling sad about what our current situation is.

  24. I already have it in my mind to attend my favourite spa, get a lovely treatment and get my hair done professionally! I had to cut my partners hair last night and NEVER AGAIN! Although it did go well if I do say so myself.
    It’s amazing how much you miss the everyday little things.

  25. I had a spa day booked last weekend for a friends birthday so, we will definitely be rebooking that once this is all over. I’m trying to do a lot of self care at home but, it’s just not the same!!

    Al x

  26. That is a fantastic idea! Wish I could book one for tomorrow… I miss the pampering:( I hope you are keeping well over there in the UK, Jenny. I am a little stir crazy at home here in Toronto Canada too, but it is all for the best. Take care of yourself.

  27. Oooh a spa day sounds lovely! But I think that’s something I could only justify doing on a special occassion. Maybe for my birthday? Once things calm down, I would love to get a massage! I’ve also missed going to the gym, so that’s one thing I want to get back to!

  28. Just went into lockdown in USA in North Carolina. These are great ideas, I know my wife will love, but I think I’ll enjoy them as well. Thanks for the ideas – what a relief. For the group- Keep Calm and Trust God thru to the rising sun. This too shall past.

  29. Going for a massage would be sooo amazing! I had a spa day booked for my birthday in April which has been cancelled so when this is over I’ll be so excited to re-book it and have a delayed birthday celebration! Looking forward to see my mum and dad and go for lunch once lockdown is over, but at least we have phone calls and Facetime in the meantime. Thanks for sharing Jenny, hope you and the family are all doing okay! <3 xxx

    Bexa | http://www.hellobexa.com

  30. Oh god I do need a massage now that I’ve read about it! It’s one of my favourite things to treat myself with.

  31. I look forward to treating myself after this chaos is over! Definitely thinking about a massage maybe even some afternoon tea. It’s nice to have something to look forward to because at times it can all feel like too much doom and gloom:)

    Laura / http://www.laustworld.com

  32. I can’t tell you how much I miss getting my nails done and going out to eat! Definitely the first two things I’ll do when this thing goes away!

    bossbabechroniclesblog.com

  33. It’s nice to think of all those nice thing we can do once the lockdown is over with. I had already found that it was not good to be alone, and so made companionship with what there is around me, sometimes with the universe and sometimes with my own insignificant self; but my books are always my friends, let fail all else.

  34. My daughters and I were talking about this only yesterday. I’m trying to keep up their spirits and my youngest is anxious as she is parted from friends and boyfriend. My eldest is coping a little better as she’s a bookworm and writer like myself. But even in my case I’m been showing signs of anxiety – tight chest, particularly as my husband hasn’t been well for about a week and we are not sure what he has. Yesterday to try to alleviate our stresses the girls and I did a mini gym session in the house with resistance bands, weight ball, yoga mat, etc. Keeping fit is so important to keep mental and physical fitness right now. I will add your links to my next Coronavirus related post on my blog. Stay well. x

  35. I’m gonna to have my nails and my hair done and I can’t wait! Oh and just be able to go out for coffee again xx

  36. Definitely a spa day, that sounds amazing! I will 100% need a holiday as I am fortnunately one of the lucky ones that can still work from home. I also want to book in lots of new tattoos cause hopefully all this staying inside will save me money!

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