Being in lockdown for extended amounts of time is draining and stressful. Along with the isolation, there are also money problems, health concerns, political debate, job insecurity, and shortages of common household items. That is a lot for anyone to be dealing with at a time. You may also have other concerns not listed due to your personal circumstances. 

No matter who you are, you are dealing with a lot of added stress which can put a strain on your mental health. It is important with everything else you have going on to prioritize your mental and emotional well-being as well. Here are some tips depending on your personality type and some general tips as well to help you make the most of your time in lockdown. 

General Tips

No matter who you are you should not cut yourself off from friends and family. Make sure you are reaching out for support when you need it and seek professional help if you are really struggling. You should also be sure to take care of your physical body by eating healthy, exercising, drinking water, getting enough sleep, and showering regularly. This is a basic baseline that everyone should start with no matter their personality. 

The Do-er

Some people feel better when they are busy and still accomplishing things. While it is important to relax, it is maybe even more important for these people to feel like they did something with their day. If you are a do-er, you are not going to feel well mentally if you just sit around all day not doing anything. 

There are many ways you can be sure you are keeping busy. You could learn a new hobby like crocheting or something artists. You could also try your hand at baking or cooking new recipes. You could try a new way to exercise that seems interesting to you by following videos on YouTube. You could also spend some time doing home improvement projects that always seem to get put off until later. 

Another area you may want to look into is starting a small, online based business. There are so many ways to do this, that there is something to fit everyone’s skill set. With more people spending time online and that business addresses are now affordable, it is easier than ever to test your entrepreneurial skills out. 

The Worrier

Some people have a predisposition to worry a lot. If you fall into this category, then you are probably pushed to your mental and emotional limits right now. You need to prioritize relaxing. Make time to take a break from everything you are trying to juggle. Even if you can only take a break for 15 minutes, this is a good place to start. During this time, you should do something that you enjoy that helps you relax and not focus on everything there is to worry about. If you don’t have any ideas, then starting with a mindfulness meditation or yoga routine can be very helpful. 

The Social Butterfly

If you are usually the one hosting or attending a gettogether as often as possible, you may be going a little stir crazy right now. There are still ways you can remain social during lockdown. Finding ways to stay connected to others in meaningful ways is going to be key to your mental health success. 

Some ways you can stay connected to other people is via technology. Video calls or conferencing software helps people connect one-on-one or in large groups. There are also many Facebook groups designated to help people feel more connected. You may even want to think of ways to see your friends and family members while still following social distancing guidelines. Probably a combination of all of these things is what you will need to stay happy and connected. 

The Empath

Like the worrier, you also have a lot more going on emotionally than most. Everyone is so worried and feeling so many deep emotions, that yours are practically fried. It would also benefit you to practice some mindfulness and deep breathing exercises to help restore what is drained. 

You may also want to limit your time on social media or the internet. Constantly scrolling through everyone else’s problems and concerns is only going to drain you more. Consider taking a break from social media, or at least limiting the amount of time you spend on it. 

Take time for yourself to recharge and work through your own emotions. Things like journaling or other forms of writing are a great way to get big feelings outside of you. You should also find someone you trust to talk to once in a while about how you are feeling. 

Becoming an artist doesn’t require training, experience, or qualifications. While these things can help you to learn new skills and hone your talents, simply embracing your innate creative talents is all it takes to realize your ambition to become an artist.

Learning how to become a better artist requires a little more perseverance, however. No matter what your chosen medium is, you’ll need to be prepared to put the work in and be willing to challenge yourself if you want to succeed. 

Of course, becoming a better artist needn’t involve placing undue pressure on yourself or comparing yourself to other creators. Instead, take a look at this ultimate guide and enjoy the natural evolution as you embrace your talents and develop your skills to become a better artist.

Start with the basics

If you don’t have much experience, starting with the basics is always a good option. Learning advanced techniques may stand you in good stead but you’ll struggle to enhance your artistry if you haven’t got the basics down. 

Before moving on to oil or watercolor paintings, for example, start by sketching with pencils. This will give you the opportunity to create compositions, capture the essence of your subjects, and bring an image to life. 

Even the most experienced artists regularly work on the basics, so don’t overlook this crucial step because you’re eager to move forward. By focusing on the basics now and making them a core element of your life as an artist, you can ensure you always have the critical skills you need to create fabulous art. 

Get the right equipment

Having access to the right equipment is essential for any artist but it isn’t always easy. If you’re still exploring the art world, you won’t want to spend thousands on top of the range easels, paints, sculpting tools, or materials. Similarly, if you’re a budding photographer, you may not have thousands of dollars to throw down on a state-of-the-art camera. Fortunately, you don’t need an unlimited budget to become a better artist.

There are some great budget-friendly brands that offer high-quality tools and equipment. By collaborating with other artists and reaching out to people online, you can get personalized recommendations and find equipment that will meet your needs. 

Furthermore, you don’t have to buy or own equipment in order to be a better artist. Borrowing or renting tools gives you the chance to try out lots of different brands and various types of equipment with minimal costs. Every artist is different, and people have unique preferences when it comes to the tools they use. Making the effort to try new techniques and experiment with different pieces of equipment will help you on your journey and give you the freedom to develop as an artist. 

Spend time observing

No matter what medium you choose to work in, observing what’s around you will always help you to become a better artist. Assessing subjects from different viewpoints, switching from a wide focus to a narrow view, and paying attention to the impact that the light has on a subject are all important processes for an artist. Of course, observation doesn’t stop there.

To truly capture a landscape or subject, you’ll want to be able to build a visual library. Instead of actively observing when you’re planning a composition, sculpture, or shot, learn how to observe more closely in everyday life too. 

When you truly observe your surroundings, you’ll find a wealth of inspiration. Whether you’re standing on a cliff face, watching two people interact or surrounding by stunning architecture, paying close attention will enable you to see what’s around you in new ways. 

In addition to this, your observations will encourage you to think about how you would portray these scenes or subjects in your artwork. As you’ll be routinely planning compositions in your head, you’ll be consistently practicing the skill of capturing real life within your art. When you finally decide to put pencil to paper, this practice will enhance your skills and ensure you can convey the most important elements of any scene. 

Experience other people’s art

Art can be a solitary passion if you choose to make it that way. However, art is uniquely wonderful for its ability to bring people together and create shared experiences. Although the impact a piece of art has on you may be wildly different from the effect it has on someone else, simply sharing the moment of experiencing it for the first time is a unifying and bonding process. 

As you strive to become a better artist, you’ll find that experiencing other people’s work helps you to hone your own skills. Comparing how you would have captured a subject to how an artist chose to do so will help to open your mind to alternative concepts and encourage you to keep thinking outside the box. 

When it comes to the more technical aspects of artistry, actively seeking out other people’s art gives you the opportunity to learn from their talent and experience. Furthermore, comparing an artist’s early work to their latest pieces allows you to see their own evolution as an artist and gives you confidence that you too will become a more accomplished artist over time. 

Incorporating Art into Your Life

Whether you’re aiming to become a professional artist, you want to enhance your skills to become a better hobbyist or you simply like the emotional benefits that art brings, making it part of your life is always worthwhile. 

Through art, you can challenge yourself and others, as well as inspire, motivate, and reassure them. Whatever message you choose to convey through your work, art gives you a unique opportunity to present your views, feelings, and priorities, even if you’re unaware of them at the time. 

Taking the time to become a better artist won’t just help you to produce more accomplished pieces; it will enable you to enjoy the creative process even more and ensure you have the confidence to share your talents with the wider world.

Mobile gaming gives you the freedom to play your favorite titles at any time. Whether you’re a fan of FPS and RPG games or you prefer the challenge of strategy and puzzle platforms, gaming on the go means you’ll never succumb to boredom again. 

From handheld consoles to smartphones and tablets, there are endless ways to enjoy the latest releases. To ensure you’ve got everything you need to go mobile, take a look at these essential tips for gaming on the go:

Choose your device

If you’re a serious gamer, chances are you already have a go-to device. However, if you’re new to gaming, you’ll want to ensure you have the right device at hand. Remember – some titles are only available on certain devices, so do double-check that your favorite games are accessible on your chosen device. 

Smartphones are super-handy for on the go gaming but they don’t always offer an immersive experience. If you want to benefit from the best graphics and the most realistic gameplay, charge your laptop and take it on the go with you or treat yourself to a handheld console that’s ideal for traveling.

Preserve battery life

A low battery will cut any gaming session short, so do everything you can to prevent your battery from depleting. In low signal areas, devices will work harder to stay connected, which means your battery will drain at a faster rate. 

You can prevent this from happening by using signal boosters and limiting the effort your device has to make to remain connected to 4G, 5G, or Wi-Fi. Taking a spare battery pack on the go with you is, perhaps, the easiest way to ensure you never run out of power. Affordable and lightweight power packs are widely available, so throw one in your bag to make sure you’re never short of charge. 

Enjoy uninterrupted gameplay

Constant interruptions can affect your overall enjoyment of a game and throw you off your stride. Before you immerse yourself in the latest release, take steps to ensure you won’t be interrupted. Turning off two-factor authentication means it’s easier to make microtransactions when you’re on the go, for example. With step-by-step instructions available at https://setapp.com/how-to/turn-off-two-factor-authentication-for-apple-id, you can turn off two factor authentication in seconds and enjoy gaming with a total lack of interruptions. However, there are other ways to enhance your gameplay too. 

If you’re gaming on the go, don’t let noise disrupt your experience. Noise-canceling headphones make it easy to immerse yourself in a virtual world while cutting out what’s going on around you. Similarly, anti-glare screen protectors will keep your device in tip-top condition and ensure you have a perfect view of your device, no matter what the conditions are. 

Start Mobile Gaming Today

If you own a smartphone, chances are you already engage in mobile gaming. However, your experience doesn’t have to stop with an ad hoc game of Candy Crush or a few hands of solitaire. As mobile devices become even more powerful, major developers are redesigning and re-releasing titles purely for mobile devices. Make the most of your chance to enhance your mobile experience and start gaming on the go today.

We all have a lot more time on our hands at the moment. With the lockdown still going, people are spending a lot more time at home than usual, and without sufficient stimulation, it’s easy to get bored. That’s why this is the perfect time to get stuck into new hobbies or projects. Many people are taking up baking or gardening, or completing jigsaw puzzles as a family. Others have turned to more cultural forms of entertainment and have resolved to use this free time to read more books.

Whether you’re a prolific bibliophile or an infrequent reader, books are a fantastic way to open up your mind to new worlds and possibilities. They provide a healthy distraction from the gloomy news cycle and negative social media debates. So put down your phone, pick up a book and experience the transformative joy of reading.

If you’re struggling to read as much as you would like to in lockdown, here are some tips to help you make the most of this extra reading time.

Always carry a book

A great way to fit more reading into your daily life is to always have a book close to hand. This allows you to fill all those small gaps throughout your day. Read a few pages when queuing at the store, waiting for your coffee to brew, or even while you’re on the toilet. All these short periods add up, and it is a much more fulfilling way to pass the time than scrolling aimlessly through social media.

Create a reading space

Creating a personal space in which to read can make the activity more special and enjoyable. Find a place in your home to make a cosy reading nook for yourself. Your space must be comfortable, well-lit and free from distractions. Personalize it however you like, with furniture, book storage, artwork, blankets or cushions. If you’re struggling for inspiration, take a look at some of these incredible reading nooks.

Make sure conditions are perfect

Reading requires concentration. When you sit down to immerse yourself in a good book, you want to be sure that you won’t be distracted. Kids running around, TV on in the background or an unfinished job hanging over your head are all going to make it hard to stay focused. Make sure the conditions are perfect. Carve out some time, make a cup of tea, shut out any background noise and lock yourself away. Is your reading space ideally suited to the task? Make sure you are comfortable, and the room is not too hot or cold. If you’re planning to read more books, you should also make sure your eyes are up to the job. If you have poor eyesight, you may need to take a look at some reading glasses to avoid eye strain and headaches. 

Read what you love

One sure way to fail at your reading goals is to pick a difficult book. Don’t feel obliged to battle your way through a wordy classic novel. Pick what you love to read and don’t feel pressured by the opinions of critics. If your book pile makes you happy, you will be able to make much more progress.

Listen to audiobooks

If you find yourself getting distracted while reading, an audiobook may be the answer. Switching book formats between physical and audio can keep you interested for longer. Listening to a book also allows you to read while multitasking. You can make your way through your book list while doing the laundry, cooking or working out.

Give yourself options

Having multiple books on the go at one time means you always have several options from which to choose. You can pick up whatever suits your mood at that time, and if you’ve had enough with one book, move onto another. Try having two or three different styles or genres at the ready. For example, you could simultaneously choose to read a work of nonfiction, an easy-to-read fiction novel, and a more serious piece of classic literature.

Get others involved

Reading doesn’t have to be a solo affair; it can be a communal hobby if you choose. Getting others involved in your reading habits can make it more enjoyable and better motivate you to hit your targets. Convince a friend to read a book you are enjoying, or accept recommendations from a loved one and have a discussion about it. You could even consider starting a virtual book club to share your love of reading with distant friends and family.

Bored of being bored? After a number of months in lockdown, it has become a little tedious now and most of us are keen to get back to normality. But the pandemic isn’t over yet, we still need to be staying home as much as possible to control the virus and that means keeping ourselves busy. Here are a few ideas for going about it. 

Arts and Crafts

If you’re a lover of Pinterest, you’ll know the site is crammed with ideas for crafts that are appropriate for all skill levels. This kind of task encourages creativity and imagination, something we don’t tend to get much time to practice and enjoy as adults when we work mundane jobs. It’s a lot of fun, and if you’re good at what you do you could even start an Etsy business selling the end product. Think jewellery making, candle or soap making, painting, design- the list is endless. 

Gaming

It might not be the most productive hobby, but there’s no doubt that gaming can be fun and can kill a few hours when you’re sat at home bored. Whether it’s an app, a PC game or a console, you’ve usually got the option to play alone or with others. If you have real life friends who use the same gaming platform as you, you could even arrange an online session where you play and chat and socialise- perfect since meeting up isn’t possible right now. 

TV day

One of the great things to come out of lockdown (if you’re not still going to work) is having some time to just relax and kickback. It’s such a rare thing to happen, we spend most of our lives stuck in the rat race and maintaining our routines, that time to indulge in movies and tv series only usually happens at Christmas. If there’s a series you’ve always wanted to watch from the beginning, now is definitely the time to do that. Troypoint reviews best VPN for Firestick so along with Netflix and cable tv if you have it, you certainly shouldn’t be short on options and things to watch. You’ll still want to maintain some normality in your life by exercising, eating meals and sleeping at the normal times, but if you have a day with nothing at all planned then put your feet up and really enjoy it. Realistically, when are you ever going to get chance to do this again?!

Baking

Baking is something that many of us have gotten into since lockdown restrictions were put in place, as it’s a fun and relaxing activity that can be done at home. And plus, you get to eat whatever you’ve baked afterwards! From cakes and cookies to bread and pastries, there are plenty of different routes to go down. Whether you’re already a skilled baker or a total beginner, there will be projects for you to try.