How to Make the Most of Staying In This January and February
If the start of the year is about hunkering down at home, read on for ideas and suggestions that will make your winter hibernation more fun
After the expense, excitement and over-indulgence of Christmas, many of us decide to keep things low-key in January and February. That means lots of nights in, avoiding the cold and dark, and not spending any money. It’s the sensible choice, but it can be a bit, well, boring! So how can you make these not-going-out nights feel rewarding, both to mind and body? And is there really anything else to do besides slump on the sofa with a box set and the After Eights left over from Christmas? The answer is yes!
Plan a holiday
Nothing brightens the dark days of winter like the prospect of a summer holiday. So use this period of staying in to plan your next trip. Taking time to research locations, accommodation and key attractions can be really rewarding, and some diligent digging about now will pay off later, saving you money and helping your trip run smoothly.
Nothing brightens the dark days of winter like the prospect of a summer holiday. So use this period of staying in to plan your next trip. Taking time to research locations, accommodation and key attractions can be really rewarding, and some diligent digging about now will pay off later, saving you money and helping your trip run smoothly.
Mix a virgin cocktail
The practice of avoiding alcohol in January and opting for a dry month is now well established. But if you’re going booze-free at the start of the year, don’t make yourself miserable by surviving on tea and tap water. Mix yourself a snazzy virgin cocktail each evening, blend up a smoothie, or just lace your sparkling water with lots of ice, lime and lemon.
See how to treat your home to a January health kick
The practice of avoiding alcohol in January and opting for a dry month is now well established. But if you’re going booze-free at the start of the year, don’t make yourself miserable by surviving on tea and tap water. Mix yourself a snazzy virgin cocktail each evening, blend up a smoothie, or just lace your sparkling water with lots of ice, lime and lemon.
See how to treat your home to a January health kick
Fan the flames
Make winter nights at home more cosy and appealing with some living flames. From a roaring blaze to a hearth full of flickering candles, fire brings warmth and creates an inviting, cocooning atmosphere. Why would you want to go out?
Make winter nights at home more cosy and appealing with some living flames. From a roaring blaze to a hearth full of flickering candles, fire brings warmth and creates an inviting, cocooning atmosphere. Why would you want to go out?
Become a film buff
Slumping on the sofa and bingeing on box sets is the default recipe for a stint of winter staying in, but there are other options. Why not swap the box sets for the latest and best films? Google a ‘best of 2015’ films list (there are numerous versions online from respected reviewers) and work your way through it. Invite friends round, too, and create a relaxed film club feel.
Slumping on the sofa and bingeing on box sets is the default recipe for a stint of winter staying in, but there are other options. Why not swap the box sets for the latest and best films? Google a ‘best of 2015’ films list (there are numerous versions online from respected reviewers) and work your way through it. Invite friends round, too, and create a relaxed film club feel.
Organise your photos
Do you have masses of images on your laptop or phone? Now is a great time to develop them, then spend a few pleasant, nostalgic evenings organising them into albums or displaying them creatively around your home.
Do you have masses of images on your laptop or phone? Now is a great time to develop them, then spend a few pleasant, nostalgic evenings organising them into albums or displaying them creatively around your home.
Take some exercise…
…indoors! Dragging yourself off the sofa to go running in the rain or swimming in the cold is not easy, but that doesn’t mean your fitness has to plummet. Just work some gentle exercise into your time indoors.
Try some yoga in your living room or pop on an exercise DVD and get physical in front of the telly. Alternatively, if that feels too structured, just build some movement into daily domestic life, from doing squats while stirring the risotto to dancing to the radio.
…indoors! Dragging yourself off the sofa to go running in the rain or swimming in the cold is not easy, but that doesn’t mean your fitness has to plummet. Just work some gentle exercise into your time indoors.
Try some yoga in your living room or pop on an exercise DVD and get physical in front of the telly. Alternatively, if that feels too structured, just build some movement into daily domestic life, from doing squats while stirring the risotto to dancing to the radio.
Pamper yourself
Scoffing chocs in front of Netflix is seriously appealing when you’re staying in, but it won’t necessarily make you, or your waistline, feel great. Instead, take time to properly pamper yourself. It feels indulgent and will bring down stress levels. A deep bath with scented oils, candles and music is a classy way to drift through a January evening. Or splash out on a few new lotions and potions and give yourself a mini facial or manicure.
Check out how to organise your bathroom brilliantly
Scoffing chocs in front of Netflix is seriously appealing when you’re staying in, but it won’t necessarily make you, or your waistline, feel great. Instead, take time to properly pamper yourself. It feels indulgent and will bring down stress levels. A deep bath with scented oils, candles and music is a classy way to drift through a January evening. Or splash out on a few new lotions and potions and give yourself a mini facial or manicure.
Check out how to organise your bathroom brilliantly
Build positivity
Make staying in during the winter months benefit your mind as much as your bank balance by building in some simple, positive practices. Now is a good time to take up meditation and practise mindfulness, or why not simply keep a gratitude diary? Each evening, write down three things you enjoyed or appreciated that day. Routinely logging the good in your life can help retrain the brain and equip it with a more positive default setting.
TELL US…
Do you have any tips for getting the most out of time at home? Please share them in the Comments below.
Make staying in during the winter months benefit your mind as much as your bank balance by building in some simple, positive practices. Now is a good time to take up meditation and practise mindfulness, or why not simply keep a gratitude diary? Each evening, write down three things you enjoyed or appreciated that day. Routinely logging the good in your life can help retrain the brain and equip it with a more positive default setting.
TELL US…
Do you have any tips for getting the most out of time at home? Please share them in the Comments below.
Sometimes, taking on a whole new hobby can feel daunting, plus lessons can be costly and will probably demand you leave the house. So why not simply dust off an old skill instead?
If you used to enjoy painting, now’s a great time to dig out your paintbrushes. Liked to tickle the ivories at one time? Scout for a second-hand keyboard and rediscover your love of playing. Get back into knitting or sewing, or fall in love with colouring again. Or simply rekindle your joy of reading – style yourself the perfect nook and indulge in a really good book.