Must-Have Winter Essentials During Quarantine – 2021
7 Minute Read
Post Sponsored by EarthHero
Winter is upon us. And this year, as most of the world is back in quarantine, winter poses its own unique set of challenges. If you suffer from the winter blues (like me), being inside all the time when it’s cold and dreary can be a lot to deal with. Add a layer of quarantine, and it can be pretty tricky to navigate. But we’ve gotta get creative with how we spend our time at home and make the best of it. So, I wanted to give you some inspo for planet-friendly ways you can use your time at home during this winter quarantine. Without driving yourself (or your family) crazy. These are my must-have winter essentials for getting you through the next few months.
I chose them specifically because of how awesome they are. But also because each is a good choice for the planet. Whether it’s their materials, the company’s ethics, or their ability to reduce plastic pollution, these products are all sustainable. And they’re all sourced from my favorite online eco-friendly store: EarthHero. Whenever I’m in need of something, I usually check there first to see if they have what I need.
I know I can trust the products they sell. In a way, it eliminates a lot of the research usually required when looking for eco-friendly products. When you see a product or suggestion on my blog, you know you can trust it because you know I do my research. That’s exactly how I feel about EarthHero. They align with my values. And they practice what they preach.
So without further ado, here are some must-have winter essentials for getting you through the next wave of quarantine. They’ll keep you cozy, motivated, and at peace until you can get into the world again and resume living your best life.
Must-Have Winter Essentials for (Eco-friendly) Quarantining
When Cozying Up on the Couch
Winter = cold. Even if you have a good heater in your apartment.
So why not snuggle up with a blanket and indulge in some hot chocolate or tea. I’m not just talking about any old powdered hot chocolate packet or crusty tea that’s been sitting in a box for ages. I’m talking about the real deal. Like chocolate that’s f***ing delicious and ethically sourced from farmers that are paid a living wage. Or tea that’s hand-crafted in small batches with blends that’ll have you melting into you seat. You can thank me later when you sit down for a cup of this awesomeness.
When Getting Down to Business
Whether you’re into morning pages, daily journaling, or doing a portrait sketch of your partner while they’re falling asleep on the couch, you’ll need a good pen. But just any old pen won’t do. Instead, how about a pen that’s refillable and made from… wait for it – grass!!! The company that makes this pen has made every attempt to reduce its footprint: from sustainable materials, to powering its factory with renewable energy, to planting trees that offset emissions from other parts of its supply chain. They’ve gone the extra mile. Which is so awesome to see since just about everyone uses pens. And the potential impact of having everyone switch over to these could be planet-changing. P.S. If you’re looking for some drawing inspo, check out these portrait sketches from one my friends from grad school.
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When Having Your Own Dance Party
Movement is so important for getting your blood flowing, for boosting your energy. And for releasing any negative thoughts that might be flowing through your mind. And if you think that’s just a bunch of B.S., there’s actually science to back it up. In fact, a really great book just came out called Burnout, which talks about the science behind why you feel better when you move and even more so when you dance. So, if you’re into having an all-out dance party in your PJs, you’re gonna need some hutzpah to back you up. And while there are tons of Bluetooth speakers out there, this one’s got something extra special. Much of the materials used to make this speaker are recycled!! So, if you’re an audiophile like me, you don’t have to have any eco guilt when it comes to buying bad-ass speakers.
When Getting Out of Bed Simply Isn’t an Option
Some days it is hard to get out of bed. Trust me, I get it.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t have a bit of decadence. Maybe try some breakfast in bed served on one of the most gorgeous serving boards you’ll ever lay eyes on. Even if you’re just eating a bowl of cereal. This bad boy is made out of 1800 recycled chopsticks, which means it helps reduce waste in our landfills. And if you’re looking for some easy breakfast recipes to inspire your morning routine a bit, here’s a great recipe website (with easy-to-follow videos) to get your mouth watering.
When Winding Down
For the most part, when you’re quarantined at home, you do a whole lotta sitting down with not the greatest of posture. Maybe I’m just speaking for myself, but I’m pretty sure I’m not. Can you throw me a bone here?
Anyway, to make sure you’re not totally messing with your body and slouching to the worst of your ability, a little dose of stretching and yoga will do your body good. Maybe you do some simple poses like the banana pose (one of my personal faves), or go a bit more in depth with a full-on yoga class. Either way, you’ll need something to practice on. And while you could totally just use a blanket or a towel if you don’t have a yoga mat, if you’re looking for something that’ll give you long-term support, this yoga mat is made from cork and rubber and is free of any toxic dyes and additives.
P.S. My old yoga studio Modo Yoga has gone completely online due to the pandemic, and has a full array of classes that are both energizing and restorative. I’d definitely recommend them if you’re looking for an affordable way to get active and stretch at home. I’ve also totally fallen in love with The Class by Taryn Toomey, and do it several times a week as part of my exercise and self-care regimen. It’s a bit of a funky class though, so it’s not for everyone. I usually describe it as if a yoga class, a meditation, and an aerobics class had a baby – this would be it.
Conclusion
Some days can feel pretty heavy when its cold AF outside and you’re actively trying to avoid going out because of the pandemic. But there are lots of ways to make the best of the situation and even embrace it a little. So sit back, relax, get your creative juices flowing, and maybe even have a little dance party in your living room. Best of all, you can do all of these things with sustainability at the core. I know the pandemic has limited some of the ways you can be sustainable. But there are lots of other ways you can even out the scale, like making your bathroom routine more sustainable or eating less meat to reduce your environmental footprint. Either way, you’ve got options to be more eco-friendly, even when you don’t have as many option as you normally would.
So, what are some of your must-have winter essentials? …or shall I call them: pandemic essentials?
And what do you do when you’re cooped up at home? Do you craft, exercise, scroll endlessly?