Like most people, I now have ample free time at home, with quite literally no other option than to stay inside our home. Of course, I began our confinement by deep cleaning our entire home, finishing a few books I’d been reading, watching movies, and going through everything we own and editing it down to only the things we really love (I still have yet to donate everything else because donation centers are currently closed), but eventually I finished all of the entertainment and cleaning tasks I had been wanting to get done. Those who know me know that I spend about 90% of my waking time working and traveling. With work projects delayed, our travel plans postponed, our home entirely deep cleaned, all of the books on my immediate reading list read, and most of the movies I’d wanted to watch viewed, there wasn’t much else left for me to do, other than learn to relax. We will likely never again have so much time with absolutely nothing going on in our lives, and while most everyone’s lives have been thrown into disarray, we have more time now than ever to carve out time for ourselves, even if it’s just ten minutes each today, to truly enjoy and care for ourselves, which is exactly what I’m doing with Domi sleepwear, my new favorite loungewear brand.



Now more than ever, I find it’s especially important to set aside time each day to give ourselves permission to relax and unwind. I am someone who struggles to just sit and not do anything (I genuinely love being busy and active as much as possible), so I challenged myself to simply sit with my own thoughts, no music or other distractions, and just reflect on my life. I set a timer and sit quietly, with my phone on airplane mode so I don’t have any distractions, until it goes off. I started off doing it for five minutes every morning when I woke up, and now I’m up to sitting for 20 minutes with my own thoughts, and it has honestly changed my life. Simply allowing myself to be, to think about all that’s going on in my life, what I want out of life, my goals, dreams, aspirations, and fears has allowed me to get to know myself better than I ever have. Oddly enough, this has also been extremely cathartic for me, because setting aside time to process my worries and fears, or to daydream, helps me feel more focused throughout the day because I’ve gotten those emotions out of the way, in a sense.

I’ve also been taking more time to enjoy my daily tasks like cooking, caring for my houseplants, and spending more time doing self-care. I take longer showers, sleep in a little longer, and I spend more time caring for myself by making different tea blends every day, spending more time on my holistic skincare routine, and planning our meals out for the week. For the first time in my life, I’m learning to enjoy the simple act of existing, and while this isn’t the way I want to live my life forever, I am very thankful for the things I’ve learned and the experiences I’ve had in this strange down time. Somehow, I reached my mid 20s without ever really learning how to take it easy, and if nothing else I’m grateful for the lessons life has taught me during this season.
Recently, I gave myself permission to be “cozier” than I usually dress when at home. Even on the days I work from home I typically wear a dress or a tunic and tights, so learning to lounge, as silly as it may sound, has been a very important aspect of learning to relax and not stress while at home. I’ve been wearing my favorite Domi sleepwear sleep shirt to bed each night and it is much more comfortable than any other pajamas I’ve ever worn, plus the beautiful turn of the century details make me feel as though I’m living in a fairytale, which is always a plus. The owner of the brand, Ali, is such a sweet, sincere person, and working with her has been an absolute dream. If you’re looking for a new luxurious sleepwear and lounge brand to support, Domi sleepwear is an absolute game changer.
I’ve also been reveling in their loungewear (like this tank top, these joggers, and this hooded sweatshirt), typically after I workout and shower, and there’s just something so soothing about truly enjoying wearing comfortable clothing, which may seem obvious to some, but if you’re like me and don’t generally wear these things, I can’t tell you what a refreshing change of pace it has been to switch things up. Everything Domi sleepwear creates is handmade in Los Angeles from organic, recycled cotton, so not only does it feel like silk on my sensitive, easily irritated skin, but it’s also so much better for the environment, and I can feel good about supporting a small, American-made business, which is more important than ever right now.
Below is a little list of a few things I’ve enjoyed doing during quarantine, that have helped me relax, practice enjoying my life, and have helped me “make the most of this time” without actually doing anything at all. It goes without saying that you don’t need to do all of these things, or any of these. If they resonate with you and sound like something you’d enjoy integrating into your own life, then I can personally attest to the fact that they have helped calm my heart and mind during this stressful, uncertain time. I hope they inspire you to enjoy relaxing in a wholesome, healthy way, and help you slow down a little bit, while we have the opportunity to do so.
- Sleep in 30 minutes more each day, or go to bed 30 minutes earlier each night
- Don’t use your phone for the first hour of your day, and an hour or two before heading to bed
- Sit quietly for 5-10 minutes each day, without any distractions
- Aim to drink 2 Litres of water each day (herbal tea counts too, but soda, coffee, and other sugary drinks do not count towards this total)
- Wear something comfortable as often as you feel inclined to do so (I of course love Domi sleepwear!), but also feel free to dress up as much as you’d like if you’d prefer to do that. You can dress however you’d like, do what makes you happy and confident, there truly aren’t any rules about how to dress when you’re at home!
- Eat a piece of fruit with breakfast & lunch each day
- Take 5-10 minutes each day to stretch out your muscles and work on your flexibility (which reduce your chances of injuring yourself, and may help bolster the immune system slightly) this chart shows some great stretches you can do each day!
- Go for a walk everyday, during your lunch break or after dinner. A short stroll around the neighborhood can boost your mood, and exercising is always good for the mind and body
- Check in with your loved ones every couple of days, and remind them how much you care about them, even if you can’t see each other right now
- Do a few light stretches before bed each evening (I love doing these each night!)
- Be gentle with yourself, and know that there isn’t really a right or wrong way to deal with these strange times. Remember that you’re doing your best and that’s enough.
Do you have any advice for relaxing at home, or ways to de-stress during a very stressful time? What things have you been doing to deal with these sudden changes in life? I’d love to hear your ideas in the comments below.
Thank you to Domi sleepwear for partnering with me on this post. The love and care they put into each and every one of their designs has truly warmed my heart and has brightened my day through this difficult time. I am so proud to work with beautiful brands like Domi, and I am so very thankful to all who and enjoy read my little corner of the internet.
xAnnie Fairfax
Follow Me for More: @AnnieFairfax
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