When quarantining, look for activities that are useful and helpful to you, while being relaxing at the same time. Unsplash / @ellieelien
When quarantining, look for activities that are useful and helpful to you, while being relaxing at the same time. Unsplash / @ellieelien
When quarantining, look for activities that are useful and helpful to you, while being relaxing at the same time. Unsplash / @ellieelien
When quarantining, look for activities that are useful and helpful to you, while being relaxing at the same time. Unsplash / @ellieelien

Self-care during self-isolation: tips and products to boost your mood during quarantine


Janice Rodrigues
  • English
  • Arabic

In the year 2022, quarantining remains a recurrent concept. As we adapt to our new normal — and as Covid-19 cases in the UAE continue to hover at 1,500 or so a day — there are plenty of reasons we would have or need to stay indoors, sometimes for days at a stretch.

Several studies and professionals have noted that isolating can have an adverse effect on our mental health. As Eleonore Brocq, clinical psychologist at Medcare Camali Mental Health Clinic puts it: "Individuals are more likely to report exhaustion, detachment from others, anxiety, irritability, insomnia, poor concentration and indecisiveness, which leads to deteriorating work performance” when quarantining.

Varsha Vasant, an architect in Dubai who contracted Covid-19 twice over the past two years, recommends yoga and exercise during the isolation period. “It helps stretch the muscles out as it recovers from joint pain. I’ve found it also helps my mental health,” she says.

Practise yoga when self-isolating for physical and mental health benefits.
Practise yoga when self-isolating for physical and mental health benefits.

Liane Fernandes, a social media and digital manager, cites journaling and meditation as factors that helped her cope indoors, while Aysha Razzak of PR agency Elevate Consulting says organising her home — in particular her make-up drawer — and fixing a skincare routine made her feel better.

Reading, baking, hula hooping, knitting, colouring books, skating, online classes and spending more time with pets are other common mood-boosting activities that have gained traction.

While there is no one-size-fits-all solution to keep spirits high when self-isolating — especially if one has contracted Covid-19, symptoms of which vary greatly — we are definitely better equipped to deal with self-isolating two years into the pandemic, be it by seeking out comforting statistics, information or advice from professionals.

You can even invest in some feel-good products to lift your spirits. Here are five to try.

kikki.K Gratitude Journal

Over the years, gratitude journals have become increasingly common. There’s something about writing about your day, and genuinely appreciating the good things in your life, that can boost the mood, and even lead to better self-esteem in the long run. There’s no dearth of gratitude journals in the market, but if you have trouble putting pen to paper, look for something that prompts you to pick what you’re grateful about that day, such as the ones from kikki.K (Dh135 from www.jashanmal.com).

DIY flower arrangements from hand-tied

Hand-Tied, a UAE flower subscription service, stands out from the crowd in that the team picks the flowers, so each delivery is something of a surprise. The blooms also come with an arrangement and care guide — a cute little DIY craft idea while you're staying indoors. A "one-off" box is available for Dh185 from www.handtiedbox.com.

Healthy treats from Co Chocolat

Co Chocolat sells a range of healthy chocolate bars as well as hot chocolate mixes and spreads.
Co Chocolat sells a range of healthy chocolate bars as well as hot chocolate mixes and spreads.

Sometimes we all need a sweet pick-me-up. And what Co Chocolat does is create chocolates that feature good-for-you ingredients — think turmeric, matcha and moringa –— to help the healing process. It also limits its use of refined sugar, instead using sweeteners such as coconut sugar or dates. So you can enjoy some guilt-free chocolate, while supporting a home-grown brand.

Prices start at Dh28 for a bar; www.cochocolat.com

Soothing brews from Project Chaiwala

There's something comforting about sipping on a warm beverage. If you're unable or unwilling to make your own from scratch, consider ordering in from another home-grown brand. Project Chaiwala, known for its soothing chais, also has loose-leaf teas — the magic masala is delish — as well as special-edition kits from time to time if you’re in the mood to brew something new.

Sleep like a baby with Kanuda

If you're going to be spending a lot of time in bed, you might as well get that posture right. Kanuda was created by a physical therapist to treat posture, reduce neck pain and be more comfortable when using a pillow. They don’t exactly come cheap, but the pillows (from Dh550 on Amazon) are made with high-density foam, and designed to provide cervical spine and shoulder support. Perfect for long stretches in bed.

Other tips to keep in mind if you're self-isolating

Catch enough sleep

Getting a good night’s rest is key to restoring your immune system and protecting your mental health.

Have a purpose

Come up with a project you want to work on, ideally something that uses brain power.

Stay connected with loved ones

Don’t disconnect yourself. Get on video calls or message friends you’ve been meaning to catch up with. Social connection is a great mental health protective factor.

Get moving

Exercise, try YouTube workout videos, walk around the house if you can. This is the way you get your body more tired and bring up all the serotonin that you need for mental well-being.

Create a routine

When so much seems out of control, it’s important to establish structure. Daily routines allow you to feel more anchored, so ask yourself: what parts of my day and my routine have been the most useful, important, enjoyable and helpful to me and how can I adapt them now?

Learn new things

Use this time as an opportunity to learn and try out things you usually have no time for. Listen to podcasts or read the books you left on your side table for months. It will help you get connected to your inner self, and you’ll be surprised how much better you feel.

Source: Brocq

In-demand jobs and monthly salaries
  • Technology expert in robotics and automation: Dh20,000 to Dh40,000 
  • Energy engineer: Dh25,000 to Dh30,000 
  • Production engineer: Dh30,000 to Dh40,000 
  • Data-driven supply chain management professional: Dh30,000 to Dh50,000 
  • HR leader: Dh40,000 to Dh60,000 
  • Engineering leader: Dh30,000 to Dh55,000 
  • Project manager: Dh55,000 to Dh65,000 
  • Senior reservoir engineer: Dh40,000 to Dh55,000 
  • Senior drilling engineer: Dh38,000 to Dh46,000 
  • Senior process engineer: Dh28,000 to Dh38,000 
  • Senior maintenance engineer: Dh22,000 to Dh34,000 
  • Field engineer: Dh6,500 to Dh7,500
  • Field supervisor: Dh9,000 to Dh12,000
  • Field operator: Dh5,000 to Dh7,000
What is graphene?

Graphene is extracted from graphite and is made up of pure carbon.

It is 200 times more resistant than steel and five times lighter than aluminum.

It conducts electricity better than any other material at room temperature.

It is thought that graphene could boost the useful life of batteries by 10 per cent.

Graphene can also detect cancer cells in the early stages of the disease.

The material was first discovered when Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov were 'playing' with graphite at the University of Manchester in 2004.

Paris%20Agreement
%3Cp%3EArticle%2014%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E1.%20%5BThe%20Cop%5D%20shall%20periodically%20take%20stock%20of%20the%20implementation%20of%20this%20Agreement%20to%20assess%20the%20collective%20progress%20towards%20achieving%20the%20purpose%20of%20this%20Agreement%20and%20its%20long-term%20goals%20(referred%20to%20as%20the%20%22global%20stocktake%22)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E2.%20%5BThe%20Cop%5D%20shall%20undertake%20its%20first%20global%20stocktake%20in%202023%20and%20every%20five%20years%20thereafter%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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Three ways to limit your social media use

Clinical psychologist, Dr Saliha Afridi at The Lighthouse Arabia suggests three easy things you can do every day to cut back on the time you spend online.

1. Put the social media app in a folder on the second or third screen of your phone so it has to remain a conscious decision to open, rather than something your fingers gravitate towards without consideration.

2. Schedule a time to use social media instead of consistently throughout the day. I recommend setting aside certain times of the day or week when you upload pictures or share information. 

3. Take a mental snapshot rather than a photo on your phone. Instead of sharing it with your social world, try to absorb the moment, connect with your feeling, experience the moment with all five of your senses. You will have a memory of that moment more vividly and for far longer than if you take a picture of it.

What is 'Soft Power'?

Soft power was first mentioned in 1990 by former US Defence Secretary Joseph Nye. 
He believed that there were alternative ways of cultivating support from other countries, instead of achieving goals using military strength. 
Soft power is, at its root, the ability to convince other states to do what you want without force. 
This is traditionally achieved by proving that you share morals and values.

Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?

The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.

A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.

Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.

The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.

When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.

Lowest Test scores

26 - New Zealand v England at Auckland, March 1955

30 - South Africa v England at Port Elizabeth, Feb 1896

30 - South Africa v England at Birmingham, June 1924

35 - South Africa v England at Cape Town, April 1899

36 - South Africa v Australia at Melbourne, Feb. 1932

36 - Australia v England at Birmingham, May 1902

36 - India v Australia at Adelaide, Dec. 2020

38 - Ireland v England at Lord's, July 2019

42 - New Zealand v Australia in Wellington, March 1946

42 - Australia v England in Sydney, Feb. 1888

Red flags
  • Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
  • Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
  • Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
  • Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
  • Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.

Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching

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Updated: June 01, 2023, 9:55 AM`