Raise your hands if you’ve felt personally victimised by coronavirus.
For a lot of us, that means the holidays abroad we’ve been excitedly planning for months have been postponed or cancelled altogether. And, despite knowing that the entire country – if not the continent – is going through exactly the same thing, it doesn’t make missing out any more of an easy pill to swallow.
But it’s not just exotic jaunts to far-flung places that have been affected – the current government measures mean that ALL travel is suspended, and so this summer, holidaying on your doorstep might mean exactly that.
And though we can think of more exciting places to go than our doorsteps, taking precious holiday days IS still important, for your mental and physical wellbeing.
Take a look at the best ways to make the most of your time off when you’re stuck at home.
CHECK OUT: 7 steps for the ultimate holiday from home
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Holidaying at home
1 of 7Step 1. Clear your calendar
This might seem like stating the obvious – clearly you haven't got a social calendar full of revelry to get out of – but for the ultimate holiday headspace you want to be waking up in the morning with nothing on your to-do list but pure relaxation. Get any household chores out of the way beforehand (or foist them off on a willing quarantine buddy) and make sure you've got a fully stocked fridge so that you can totally focus on you.
2 of 7Step 2. Start your day with an endorphin boost
Depending on who you ask, holidays are either a time upping the ante on your fitness routine without the daily stresses of real life, or abandoning it entirely in favour of 11am mimosas. But there's so much to be said for easing into your day with a gentle yoga routine with a heavy dose of meditation. If you've got a garden, get out there and set your session to the calming sounds of morning birdsong and if not, a beach soundtrack of waves will be equally as relaxing.
3 of 7Step 3. Stock up on garden furniture
Remember the summer of 2018 (shudder) when the average temperature reached about 800 degrees celsius and fans were sold out EVERYWHERE? We predict similar carnage in the coming months and we're here to tell you: DON'T BE THAT PERSON.Create beer garden vibes as home with outdoor fairy lights, potted plants and a freestanding umbrella. Hammocks and fun seating solutions will make your day off feel extra special.
4 of 7Step 4. Read a book set in a far-off land
Despite our best intentions when it came to learning a new language and getting in the best shape of our lives, the only isolation resolution we've actually managed to stick to is reading more books, and getting to know new cities intimately is one of the best things about getting stuck into a really good novel. Pick up a book with a strong sense of place and you'll feel genuinely disorientated every time you come up for air – try Lilian Boxfish Takes a Walk to traverse Manhattan's streets through the decades, or basically any of Elif Shafak's beautifully written novels to experience Istanbul first-hand.
5 of 7Step 5. Make some fancy cocktails
We look forward to wine o'clock at the best of times, but being on holiday is the perfect excuse to get creative with a cocktail shaker, and there's nothing like the nostalgic taste of sex on the beach or piña colada to put you straight into holiday mode. For extra nostalgia points, dig out the retro cocktail recipe book which every British household has at the back of a bookshelf somewhere (it was once the law) and get a head start with a shot of rum.
6 of 7Step 6. Visit an art institution
In the age of isolation, loads of global attractions have turned to the power of the internet to keep their exhibitions accessible, and the best bit is you can now visit galleries and museums you'd never dreamed of visiting otherwise. NYC's Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), LA's The J. Paul Getty Museum, the Uffizi Gallery in Florence and the Tate Britain in London are just some of the major institutions offering virtual tours.
7 of 7Step 7. Light a tropical scented candle
Smell is one of the most powerful of the senses for creating an atmosphere and changing your mood. Seriously – ever noticed how applying sun-tan lotion can instantly make you feel like you're sat on a lounger somewhere slathering on your second layer after a dip in the pool?Replace more neutral smelling candles with ones infused with fruity or tropical scents, like Yankee's Tropical Jungle jar.
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READ MORE self isolation tips
We've been using the time at home to recalibrate, re-evaluate, and reclaim the hours of sleep usually lost to the morning commute.
But that doesn't mean that some time away from the grind isn't important for both your mental and physical health. If you don't have kids, it can be easy to become obsessive about work simply for something normal to focus on.
But you wouldn't go months without a break during regular working hours and, at a time of heightened anxiety, it's more beneficial than ever utilise your precious annual leave.
Family holiday been cancelled? Check out our top tips for holidaying at home with little ones.