TPOF’s Guidelines for Social Distancing

This period of self-isolation we’re experiencing due to the Coronavirus pandemic is wrought with fear and uncertainty. It has introduced an unexpected weight onto everyone’s shoulders, as we try to navigate how to work from home during the quarantine, staying up to date on news about the virus, checking in on ourselves and family, finding ways to manage anxiety and stress during isolation as well as finding ways to combat cabin fever. We know that even the most seasoned of homebodies can have a difficult time adjusting psychologically to the Covid-19 isolation, so we’ve compiled a list of the top five essentials to help you unwind during this time.

Supplements 

Tail spinning into the snack reserve may seem tempting, but the sluggishness experienced afterwards is an unnecessary hurdle to overcome in this situation. Rather, we recommend the conscious implementation of over-the-counter supplements into one’s routine. A study conducted by the British Journal of Nutrition found that adding multi-vitamins helps improve cognitive function and psychology studies have shown that conscious self-care reduces anxiety and raises the level of a person’s mood. And, depending on what you’re looking for, supplements can be a good way of meeting your dietary goals while targeting specific desired effects. Some options include increasing immunity with Zinc, Vitamin B and YourZooki Lipsomal Vitamin C. You can also choose to boost your mood and mental wellness with 5-HTP serotonin enhancement supplements, Zinc and Vitamin B-12. There’s also the option of taking extra care of yourself with collagen supplements, like the Beauty Chef’s Collagen Inner Beauty Boost, which has the added benefit of enhancing the appearance of your skin - just in time for summer. We find ones that target mental sluggishness and increase focus, like Neurozan, Form’s Edge and Moon Juice’s Brain Dust, are the most beneficial for adjusting to the increased amount of time spent working at home. Consider what works best for you and consult your doctor or healthcare professional, if necessary, to avoid complications.  

Aromatherapy Candles

Have you ever walked by a patisserie in the morning and felt a sudden rise in your mood, upon inhaling the aroma of freshly baked bread? You could be hungry, but it’s possible that you’re experiencing an effect of aromatherapy. When liquified in essential oils and made solid into a candle, aromatherapy offers a more tailored and accurate version of the sense-based practice (than getting a whiff of baked éclairs) while social distancing. The difference between an aromatherapy candle and a regular scented candle is that the latter is made using essential oils, versus artificial perfumes. They also target specific areas of one’s mental-scape, for example, jasmine is  known to uplift moods and make people feel more romantic, lavender relaxes and rosemary helps improve cognitive functions, like memory and focus. If you’re anything like us, then you go through candles like you’re running a Diptyque store – letting the scent improve your day and leaving the remaining flame to give off a warm glow at night. Personally, we like the scent, Cereal, by Mala the Brand, who plants a tree in North America with every purchase of a candle. And, if you’re in the mood for a comfort food inspired scent, the Illume Boulangerie Candle Jar aroma, Angel Food, is the way to go.   

Loungewear 

Browsing online for loungewear to live around the house in can feel paradoxical and hard to justify, as it falls into the less essential living requirements for quarantine conditions. However, good cozy wear can ease the anxieties ridden in everyday life, imposed on us under isolation, by helping the wearer relax through the comforting effects of tactility. This can be achieved by incorporating chunky knit sweaters, stretch pants, pastel colors and soft, loose fitting, tops in the evening and early morning – to uplift one’s spirits during the transitional periods of the day. Moreover, using enclothed cognition as a tool helps to stay motivated under the pressures of an increased amount of time working at home. Read more about the personal practice of enclothed cognition from our founder, here.

Personalized Baths

A soak in the tub can give us time to focus, contemplate and reflect. Photo: Porter magazine

Bathing can be a meditative practice where one can re-center, find solace in their living space and practice breathwork. The inclusion of Epsom salts, which relieve bloating and tension, and the essential oils of your liking can make it a more personalized and fulfilling experience. Some of us at the office like to soak in rose petal milk baths, which are known to improve the appearance of one’s skin, and oatmeal baths, for relieving inflammation and increasing moisturization. We also find that detox baths can help with skin purification (letting ¼ to ½ a cup of baking soda dissolve into the water before getting in). Whether you’re looking to relax in a foamy oasis of bubbles or elevate your experience with a confectionary of ingredients, we recommend pairing your soak time with a novel, a glass of wine and an iPad to watch your favorite soap opera (pun intended).   

Journal

We suggest keeping a journal to write in around you, so that you can record your thoughts and get in touch with your emotional wellbeing during this time. Documenting parts of your day-to-day in a leather-bound book can help to reflect on what’s important and to untangle any difficult questions that may arise during this time. Moreover, they help you stay in the moment, however difficult that may be now.

Remembering that in times of radical change, we should try to remember to show ourselves radical self-love. Stay safe readers. 

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