global pandemic Archives - Running in Triangles

20 Awesome Etsy Finds That Will Get You Through Quarantine

Etsy is a way to support small business owners during the pandemic.

With the coronavirus global pandemic closing the doors of many businesses, which ones will suffer the most? The larger, corporate companies may make it through this with minimal impact, but the small business owners are at the biggest risk of losing it all. Etsy is made up of independent sellers and small business owners from around the world, and they also offer the largest collection of unique and handmade items. Purchasing one of these Etsy finds is the easiest and most fun way to #StandwithSmall.

Consider joining the #StandwithSmall movement and check out some of these useful Etsy finds.

20 Awesome Etsy Finds That Will Get You Through Quarantine — *This post contains affiliate and/or paid links which means that if you click on one of these links and buy a product, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Rest assured that I only recommend products that I love from companies that I trust. Furthermore, I am not a medical professional and nothing in this post should be taken as medical advice. I am simply a mother who has been there and lived to tell the tale.

Etsy Finds For Your Self Care Routine

Stuck at home during quarantine? What better time to catch up on self care. These Etsy finds make it easy to focus on you. Put in the effort during quarantine and come out of the pandemic glowing and refreshed!

Self Care Kit - Stresscase Shop — StresscaseShop on Etsy

A Customized Self Care Box. Each purchase is curated based on your specific needs and includes things like organic teas, natural beauty products, herbs and even healing crystals.

Hair Growth Kit - NaturalSisters — NaturalSisters on Etsy

Hair Growth Products. Spend your self isolation growing out long, luscious locks. Since you’ve got some time off from constant styling, now is the perfect time to focus on hair health.

Dry Brushing Kit — BIRCHROSEandCO on Etsy

A Dry Brushing Set. Dry brushing is a technique that helps exfoliate the skin as well as massage the lymphatic system for better physical and mental health. This set comes complete with a brush and oil, perfect for your daily self care ritual.

A Relaxing Hammock. Hang it outside or in and it’s sure to become your favorite place to sit and relax. Use it while meditating, watching the kids play or while reading a good book.

Etsy Finds For Your Home Office

As a blogger, I’m used to working at home, but not everyone else is. It can take some adjustments to find the right home office space. Whether you need some privacy for conference calls or are struggling to make a homeschooling schedule, these Etsy finds might be able to help.

Work From Home Door Signs. What’s worse than having your kids run into the room while you’re on a video call? Or having to put someone on hold to answer the doorbell? These customizable wood door signs might be just what you need.

Honeycomb Pen Holder — DimensionsonDemand on Etsy

A Honeycomb Shaped Pen Holder. Can’t keep track of all your office supplies? This 3D printed honeycomb desk organizer has room for all the various supplies you need for homeschooling or working from home.

A Chalkboard Command Center. — CalendarGirlCompany on Etsy

A Central Command Center. You might think there’s less to write on your calendar these days. But you can use this calendar to keep track of your homeschooling assignments, work meetings or conference calls, social phone calls and meal planning so you can limit your shopping trips.

Etsy Finds For Reading and Writing

Reading and writing are important things we should do everyday while stuck inside the house. Quarantine is a good time to finally finish your favorite book. And everyone should be keeping a journal of this historical pandemic so that we never, ever forget.

A Leather Bookmark. Etsy actually has a huge assortment of bookmarks. Many people have made the switch to online or electronic reading, but nothing beats curling up with a good book and a fancy bookmark.

An Old World Style Journal. I think this leather journal is just perfect for detailing all your pandemic chronicles. Imagine being able to pass this down to your kids or grandchildren one day? There’s something romantic and adventurous about living through this historical time period.

A Calligraphy Kit. Learning a new skill is great for our mental health and will keep you distracted while bored at home. Calligraphy is all the rage right now, despite it’s ancient background.

Etsy Finds For Organizing Your Kitchen

It’s not uncommon for those in quarantine to spend a lot more time in the kitchen. Whether you’re expanding your cooking skills, cleaning and decluttering or baking bread, these Etsy finds are sure to help out!

A Spice Rack and Jars. This rustic, reclaimed wood spice rack comes with matching glass jars so you can keep all your spices at hand and on display while you try out those new recipes.

Pantry Labels. While you’re busy organizing your pantry, get a set of matching labels to give it a professional look. And hopefully, your pantry will stay clean after quarantine is over.

Beeswax Food Wraps. If you’ve been meaning to start eliminating disposable plastic in your kitchen, quarantine is the right time to start. It’s healthier for you and for the environment, plus it will save you money and is one less thing you need to stock up on.

Etsy Finds To Keep You Busy

Etsy is one of the best places to find arts and craft supplies, as well as handmade items. Whether you want to start crafting, are looking for ways to incorporate art therapy into your life, or just need to restock some of your supplies, consider supporting a small business on Etsy.

A DIY Organic Soap Kit. Make your own soap at home, and don’t worry about the stores being out of stock. You can make handwashing more enjoyable with beautiful organic, hand made soaps. Or craft them as a gift for a healthcare or front line worker in your life.

A Weaving Loom Kit. Weaving, knitting, crochet, macrame… any of these crafts are great for your fine motor skills and offer a distraction from anxious thoughts. Try utilizing one of these crafts while meditating!

An Embroidery Kit. Make an adorable little critter with these embroidery starter kit. Another way to keep busy and learn a new skill.

Etsy Finds For Your Windows

Have you heard of the Hearts in the Window movement? People everywhere are decorating their windows to brighten their neighborhoods and send messages of hope. Etsy is a great place to find unique and beautiful decorations for your window so that you can spread joy in your own community.

Stained Glass Heart Suncatcher — enbleuetverre on Etsy

A Heart Suncatcher. This stained glass art piece resembles a dream catcher mobile and would look stunning displayed in your sunniest window!

Rainbow Heart Suncatcher. — ZorkaVenera on Etsy

A Rainbow Heart. I also love this colorful geometric heart. I’m sure when the sun comes through this stained glass heart, the entire house is filled with a flurry of color! This seller also makes them in other styles, including gorgeous mandala designs.

Window Clings. Another great option to decorate your windows is by using decals and clings. These simply stick onto your window and also reflect light through them for a rainbow effect when the sun shines through. Bonus – they work to deter birds from flying into your windows!

And finally, if you absolutely must leave the house during the pandemic, make sure you’re equipped with a proper face mask.

Face Mask with filter pocket. Several Etsy shops have started making and selling face masks to keep up with the growing demand. You can find some that are made of organic cotton, have a filter pocket, or with different designs and ear straps, which tend to make wearing them more comfortable. (But keep in mind that nothing sold on Etsy is considered medical-grade.)

These Etsy finds are just a few suggestions of the millions of products you can get to make your quarantine more enjoyable. And by making a purchase on Etsy, you can rest assured that you’re supporting a struggling independent seller or small business owner through this time of financial uncertainty. For postpartum depression printables, don’t forget to check out our own Etsy shop @RuninTrianglesBlog.

Remember to #StandwithSmall and #StaySafe!

100 Self Care Ideas That Are Social Distancing Approved

Anyone who isn’t currently practicing social distancing is putting others at risk.

With the COVID-19 Coronavirus on the loose, many people are retreating to their homes and avoiding large groups, i.e. social distancing. Not all are finding this is easy, with the Millennials and Gen Z’s getting most of the blame. Whether you’re currently serving a 14 day self isolation, or you’re still working and living life, you’ve likely noticed an increased level of boredom. Most places are closed, events are cancelled, and even hanging out with friends is frowned upon. So what are you supposed to do during this quarantine?

Well, my friends, it sounds like the perfect time to practice self care!

100 Self Care Ideas that are Social Distancing Approved — *This post contains affiliate and/or paid links which means that if you click on one of these links and buy a product, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Rest assured that I only recommend products that I love from companies that I trust. Furthermore, I am not a medical professional and nothing in this post should be taken as medical advice. I am simply a mother who has been there and lived to tell the tale.

Pamper Your Body

With the added amount of stress due to the COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic, your body is likely in less than optimal health. Social distancing provides us with an unlimited amount of time for self care without feeling guilty. We don’t have to sacrifice time for self care because we suddenly have an abundance of it. (Besides, with all the frequent hand washing and cleaning, I’m sure we could all use a little extra pampering.)

1. Soak in the bathtub with a bath bomb or Epsom salts.

2. Take a thermotherapy shower by starting hot and finishing cold.

3. Give yourself a manicure or pedicure.

4. Deep condition your hair.

5. Apply a face mask.

6. Dry brush your skin.

7. Exfoliate.

8. Moisturize.

9. Give yourself a massage.

10. Try acupressure.

11. Get plenty of sleep.

12. Do a detox.

13. Drink lots of water.

14. Make a smoothie or fresh green juice.

How to Reset When You're Feeling Over touched — .

Work on Your Mental Health

The media coverage on the COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic has us all stressing out. All of the stress and anxiety is bound to have a detrimental effect on our mental health. Plus, having to stay isolated can exacerbate those symptoms. The best thing we can do for ourselves is to use this time of self isolation and social distancing to work on improving our mood and mental health.

15. Try online cognitive behavior therapy.

16. Sign up for talk therapy via video conference.

17. Practice meditation.

18. Listen to music.

19. Do yoga.

20. Write in a journal.

21. Light incense or diffuse essential oils.

22. Listen to a podcast.

23. Find a way to help a charity.

24. Read a self help book.

25. Nurture a house plant.

Laugh and Play

Self care should never be all work and no play. In fact, laughter is a great mood booster and we should find all kinds of ways to laugh and be playful, even while social distancing.

26. Play a video game or app.

27. Play a board game.

28. Work on a large puzzle.

29. Doodle a mandala.

30. Watch your favorite movies.

31. Laugh along with some stand up comedy or a funny movie.

Self Care Routine for a Stay at Home Mom — .

Keep in Touch

We often think of self care as being alone but taking care of ourselves means doing good things for others, spending time with those we love and sharing pieces of who we are. This might seem hard to do while practicing social distancing, but there are still ways to keep in touch with others.

32. Call a friend.

33. Video chat with someone.

34. Make a YouTube video.

35. Write someone an email.

36. Send a letter.

37. Mail a care package.

38. Deliver gift baskets to neighbors.

39. Decorate your front window.

40. Host a Netflix watch party.

Spend Time Outside

We need to spend as much time outside as possible while social distancing. Of course it’s important to stay away from crowds and limit our interactions as much as possible, but accessing fresh air is so important for our bodies both physically and mentally.

41. Sit in your backyard.

42. Take a nap outside.

43. Lounge in a hammock.

44. Do yard work.

45. Go for a walk around the neighborhood.

46. Go for a drive in the country.

47. Eat a meal outside.

48. Pitch a tent in your backyard and camp out for a night.

49. Paint your fence or deck.

50. Make a fairy garden.

51. Paint some rocks.

52. Have an outdoor bonfire.

solo beach picnic ideas — Source: https://floridapanhandle.com/blog/beach-picnic/

Declutter Your Space

Decluttering is a form of self care because it’s something that we tend to put off doing. Then the clutter sits there, reminding us of our failures and causing undue stress. Use this time at home to deep clean, declutter and minimize possessions.

53. Deep clean your kitchen and bathrooms.

54. Repaint or redecorate a room in your house.

55. Sort through your wardrobe and donate any clothes you don’t wear.

56. Organize your home KonMari style.

57. Clean out your closets.

58. Sort through your shoes.

59. Sort through your accessories and jewelry.

60. Declutter your cabinets.

61. Clean out your makeup bag.

62. Clean the garage or basement.

63. Go through all your old electronics, DVD’s, CD’s, cables, etc.

Is Decluttering the Secret to Less Stress and Better Mental Health? — .

Tap into your Artistic Side

Art therapy is a super important way to practice self care while social distancing. Being creative means using our brains as well as developing hand eye coordination. Even if you don’t consider yourself an artistic person, you might be surprised with what you can come up with.

64. Draw or paint a picture.

65. Sketch something outside your window.

66. Color in a coloring book.

67. Create your own story book.

68. Make a craft completely out of recycled material.

69. Build something out of wood.

70. Make your own dough and sculpt something.

71. Build a bird house.

72. Bake cookies, cupcakes or some other type of delicious dessert.

73. Cook a hearty homemade soup or stew.

74. Start an indoor herb garden.

75. Sew, knit, crochet or macrame.

Learn Something New

Use this opportunity to learn something. Learning is a way to improve our brain health. Plus it offers a distraction from anxiety and loneliness and can boost our self esteem. As adults, we often refrain from learning new things, or we start them but never seem them through. Learning a new skill or hobby is truly making the most of social distancing.

76. Take an online class.

77. Watch YouTube tutorial videos.

78. Read an instructional book.

79. Watch a documentary.

80. Find a new way to utilize something you don’t use anymore.

81. Take an online photography course.

82. Practice hand lettering or calligraphy.

83. Learn how to play a musical instrument.

How to Start Blogging About Postpartum Depression — .

Get Your Heart Pumping

Exercise is one of the most important parts of self care. There’s no excuses while locked up at home with nothing to do. If your local gym is closed, check to see if they’re offering online workout videos instead. And don’t worry if you don’t have a home gym, there are so many different ways to stay physically active at home.

84. Ride a stationary bike or run on a treadmill.

85. Try some online workout videos.

86. Stretch.

87. Dance.

88. Plank.

89. Run up and down the stairs.

90. Focus on improving your pelvic floor health.

91. Work out with an exercise ball.

92. Skip rope.

93. Climb a tree.

94. Do squats and/or lunges.

95. Jump on a trampoline.

amazing benefits of yoga for postpartum depression — .

Be Present

The world looks a little scary right now. Try to focus on the positive aspects instead. We are living in a moment of history, so document it. Take photos, write about it and enjoy every single moment. Use your time wisely and continue to have hope for the future. When this is all over, will you come out of it a better person?

96. Take at least one photo each day.

97. Cuddle with your spouse, kids, pet or even a stuffed animal.

98. Sit peacefully and do absolutely nothing.

99. Work on your bucket list.

100. Make a list of everything you miss doing and plan to do again once this global pandemic is over.

How To NOT Feel Isolated While in Self Isolation

Self isolation is the recommended course of action for many during the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak.

Those who have recently traveled, have come in contact with someone with COVID-19, or who are sick are putting themselves into self isolation. This basically means to quarantine yourself within your home for two weeks. And further more, social distancing has us all keeping away from friends and public places. With all of this isolation and anxiety, how does a person avoid actually feeling isolated? For moms with mental health issues, isolation can actually make symptoms of depression and anxiety worse, so it’s important to have some ways to manage the loneliness.

During self isolation, try some of these tips to avoid feeling lonely.

How to NOT feel isolation while in self isolation — *This post contains affiliate and/or paid links which means that if you click on one of these links and buy a product, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Rest assured that I only recommend products that I love from companies that I trust. Furthermore, I am not a medical professional and nothing in this post should be taken as medical advice. I am simply a mother who has been there and lived to tell the tale.

Most people, especially moms, will not actually be alone during their self isolation or social distancing. Spouses and children will likely be in isolation with them. It’s hard to say whether this makes it better or worse for a woman with postpartum depression or anxiety. Having the family around 24/7 might become overwhelming very quickly.

While it’s great to embrace this gift of family time, make sure that each person is also getting enough alone time to themselves each day. This could be quiet reading or doing a quiet activity all in one room, or have everyone separate into different rooms for an hour or two each day. This will surely benefit everyone’s mental health during the isolation period.

If the entire family is beginning to feel isolated from the outside world, then consider some of these options.

Make a Connection

Even though we can’t go out and socialize with our friends right now, we can still make connections with others. We need to stick together, especially during these uncertain times. This is something we should be doing daily or at least a few times a week in order to maintain our mental health.

Phone a friend or family member. Simply talking to another human being helps you avoid isolation.

Video chat with a friend or family member. It helps to see another familiar face from time to time, and not just hear their voice. This is also a great option for younger kids.

Write a letter to someone. It doesn’t even have to be someone you know. Consider writing letters with your kids to senior’s homes, hospitals, government offices, army bases, etc. It would make someone’s day.

Write an email to someone. Same as above, but send it online instead. You can find e-mail addresses for most places on their websites. Let your favorite local shop know how much you miss their store/business while it’s closed, and can’t wait to be back there again.

Read a book or watch a movie. Going on adventures with the characters in a book or a movie is another way to help you feel less lonely and isolated. Now is a great time to start binge watching that TV series you’ve been wanting to start.

Adopt or foster a pet. If you’re going to be locked up inside the house for weeks anyway, why not foster a pet to keep you company? You could all benefit from the company during this anxious time.

Find a Distraction

Don’t count the days of self isolation on a calendar, find a way to pass the time. Keeping the mind distracted is a great way to avoid things like intrusive or anxious thoughts while you are quarantined at home.

Cook or Bake. Don’t do it with the intention of “getting dinner on the table” as that will likely stress you out even more. Spend a day cooking some homemade soup or baking fresh bread or muffins with the kids. Take your time and don’t worry about the mess.

Clean. Self isolation is the perfect time to clean out that closet you’ve been avoiding for months. Start your spring cleaning early and tackle on the big messes that you never have time for. Decluttering is also a great way to maintain your mental health.

Craft. You can find hundreds of crafts you can do with the kids on Pinterest. Or maybe you’d rather do something just for you?

Learn something new. Nothing keeps the brain busier than learning. If you’re planning on homeschooling the kids, that will keep all of your brains busy. Trying to pick up a new skill? Now is the perfect chance to focus on it undisturbed for weeks! Interested in knitting? Check out Love Crafts for everything you need including free PDF patterns!

Leave the House

If you’re in self isolation or practicing social distancing, you should be avoiding other people and public places. But that doesn’t mean you have to be locked up within the walls of your house. There are still several ways that you can safely leave the house in order to avoid complete isolation.

Spend time in your own backyard. Good weather or not, spending some time each day in your own backyard is a great way to get some fresh air and sunshine.

Walk around the neighborhood. You can also go for a walk in your own neighborhood, especially on a sunny day. The natural Vitamin D not only helps to boost your mood, but the coronavirus doesn’t survive long in the sun.

Go for a drive. Why not pack the kids into the minivan and go for a drive in the country? See if you can spot any wildlife or signs of spring. Take photos along the way and compile an album. Stop for a picnic lunch on the side of the road and play some fun family car games.

Work on Yourself

Having weeks of undisturbed time at home means you finally have the chance to focus on yourself. This global pandemic is going to change our entire world in ways we never imagined. Let’s begin to prepare for the aftermath of it by using our self-isolation time to reflect on our lives.

Exercise. There’s no better way to avoid stress, anxiety, depression and isolation than to exercise daily. Exercise is so important for both our physical and mental health. You don’t need a home gym, either. Watch yoga videos on YouTube or turn on some music and dance!

Read self help books. Maybe you’ll actually finish some of those books that you’ve been saving for when you have time. Or try listening to some inspirational podcasts.

Try cognitive behavior therapy. If you’ve been putting off therapy because of a lack of time, self isolation is the perfect time to try online therapy. By completing an online therapy course, you can emerge from self-isolation with better tools to help you be successful in life.

Meditate. There are several different ways to meditate, even if you’re not a fan of it. Download a guided meditation app or simply spend time being mindful and grateful. Practice deep breathing and stretching for optimal health. Turn on an essential oil diffuser and listen to some soothing meditation music.

Focus on the positive. Self isolation is not the ideal situation for everyone. You may be worried about your job and bills and having enough food. Instead, try to find something positive to focus on each day and write it down. At the end of this quarantine, you can look back at this time and feel the happy moments instead of the negative ones.

Make plans for the future. Thinking about the future is a great way to avoid isolation and anxiety about the coronavirus. Sit down as a family and decide what things you’d like to do when this is all over. Maybe you’ve learned to live with less or have realized where your true priorities are. This is the time to set goals and make plans for the rest of this year.