Lockdown Secrets to Feeling and Looking Better Without Blowing Your Budget

By Cheryl Conklin
Wellness Central
cherylc@wellnesscentral.info
www.wellnesscentral.info

With so many COVID-19 restrictions and concerns, you may be feeling more worn out than usual. And given the current economic uncertainty, you may also feel anxious about your budget. All that tension and concern can not only impact the way you feel but it can even affect the way you look. If you want to overcome this exhausting cycle and start looking and feeling more like yourself again, here are some things you can try that won’t put a dent in your budget.

Treat Yourself to Something Special, and Some Savings 

Let’s be honest: COVID-19 stress is very real and very frightening. Honestly, most of us have never been through something this big and scary before. So, if you feel like splurging on some extra self-care will help ease some of your anxieties, you should go for it. You don’t have to feel guilty about treating yourself during this crisis, especially when you look for online coupons before you shop. And since you will be shopping online, also be sure to check for Sephora promotions on the website. You can usually score luxe samples and beauty bags when you use these codes and you may even be able to combine them with other deals. By stacking Sephora promo codes and cashback offers, you can stretch your budget even further.

Treat Your Body to Wholesome and Nutritious Foods for Less 

With COVID stress comes stress eating. While there’s nothing wrong with treating yourself to pizza or cookies during this difficult time, know that eating a healthy diet is the best way to feel your best. Not only will eating a balanced diet of whole foods help you avoid gaining unwanted pounds, but some foods fight depression. Foods that have been shown to lift your mood, and stay full, include carrots, bananas, poultry breast, and fatty fish. Avocadoes top the list as well, so feel free to snack on some healthy guacamole whenever stress cravings kick in.

Now, you may be wondering how to fit these healthy foods into your budget? Well thankfully, foods that are good for you are usually good for your budget as well. To make things simple, try sticking to a few go-to meal prep recipes or buying frozen fruits and veggies instead of fresh. These tricks will help you stretch your grocery budget even farther. If you are concerned about COVID-19 risks that come with grocery shopping, you can also look for free pickup services.

Treat Your Body and Brain to Some Stress-Busting Exercise 

With your favorite gyms and yoga studios closed, your fitness routine may have fallen to the
wayside. Of course, all of the added stress can also zap your motivation to keep moving, but regular exercise could be the key to getting out of a lockdown funk. Just about any workout can lift your spirits but some exercises may be more effective than others at improving your mood. Yoga and tai chi are both relaxing and mood-boosting exercises that honestly don’t require a lot of effort. You can even follow along with free online yoga classes if you are missing your favorite studio. Walking and running, as well as other forms of cardio, can provide mental health benefits as well. You can get some of the same benefits from an online HIIT workout but you may also want to get outside for some exercise, and some fresh air. As long as outdoor exercise is permitted in your area, you can keep yourself and others safe with a few precautions.

With so much uncertainty, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed by the impacts of coronavirus. It’s healthy to process those feelings, but you really don’t have to let your worries impact the way you look and feel. Nourish yourself inside and out, and eventually you will start feeling like yourself again.

Photo Credit: Rawpixel

Wearing Venus

W is for Wow! Wolfson High School’s leggy Steve Doherty knocks them dead in his showgirl costume. 

Femulators (and vice versa) in the 1982 film Victor/Victoria