Seven or so more days of quarantine right? (at least we hope so). It’s bound to make you lose your mind. We’re sure you’re bored of being the next masterchef in the making and have perfected the smokey eye look – having nowhere to flaunt it but that’s still not an excuse to feel down chaubees ghantay. There’s no need to fret though - we have got your back in these tough, trying times. While it’s completely human to feel stressed out and hopeless during a time like this, it is also equally important to understand that a little bit of positive thinking can completely turn your day around.

Think of all the times you wished to slow down and just have a little bit of moment to yourself. Think of all the things on your to-do-list that never got completed because you were just so busy catching up with this taiz raftaar dunya. And even you are out of ideas and have no clue how to spend today, tomorrow or day after, we’ve brought you fresh new ideas about how you can better utilize your time in quarantine – fresh from the homes of our Gen Fam!

Get your muscles stretching

Image via Mariam Ibraaz

Inspiration brought to you directly by our in house yogi, Mariam Ibraaz, it’s time to stop piling all those pakoras onto your plates and give pilates a chance instead. Or yoga, or meditation – whatever works for you. The idea is to get your behind off the sofa and indulge in 30 minutes or so of some feel good physical therapy. Not being able to get out of the house is no excuse. There are plenty of beginner yoga and exercise videos on Youtube. So no bahaana baazi- apnay aap ko karo raazi and get sweating before the Pakistani summer sun forces you to do so!

Enrich your mind and soul by reading

Image via Zona Gillani

You know what they say – a book is a woman’s best friend. So what if you cant leave your house. Zebunissa from the studio shows us how easy it is to escape reality and transport yourself into whatever place you desire with the help of a book. Now is a great time to catch up on all the books you wanted to read but could never bring yourself to. Bring out your kitaabi keera and lounge around in your lawn with your favourite book. Trust us, even the weather is on your side! PS. Keep a watch out for GEN’s top recommended books to read in quarantine on our blog Gen Loves!

Colour yourself happy!

Image via Maryam Abid

Quarantine blues got you moping? Well time to pick up some colouring pencils and indulge in a bit of therapeutic colouring! Don’t have a colouring book on hand? Dig into your library for an old illustrated book instead! Watch how Maryam de-stresses from mommy duties and quarantine blues by beautifully rendering a page in her favourite colouring book!

Bring out your inner artist

Image via Dinal Jalil

We know you all have a creative streak hidden inside you. This time at home is the perfect way to give it jaan. Experiment with different materials, like the chaandi ka warq in your pantry and make an art work as sweet as kheer just like our resident art guru, Dinal Jaleel!

Nature ko andar aanay ki daawat dein

Image via Hafsa Khan

Cant go outside? No problem. Spruce up your living space and bring nature inside with the help of your favourite plants. We love how Hafsa from the studio has brightened up her room with her little plant friends. If you have been meaning to redecorate or are just tired to seeing the same old room, move around some furniture and rearrange. You’ll be amazed to see how much it will uplift your mood!

Take a walk outside

GENERATION HQ

If you’re feeling overwhelmed and depressed, try stepping out and going for a thirty minute walk outside to uplift your mood. The flowers around are bound to make you happy. Let’s celebrate spring in this quiet, peaceful way – knowing that we and our loved ones are safe and healthy in our own homes. Remember, this too shall pass.

Cover Illustration by Mariam Ibraaz