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By Citizen Reporter

Journalist


6 tips to keep busy and healthy while staying home

A cabin crew member for Emirates provides some useful ideas for staying busy during lockdown.


Here are some tips and ideas on staying entertained, productive and healthy during self-isolation from Emirates cabin crew member Natasha De Souza Allegria, who is from Pretoria.

Cooking and baking

I currently have two cookbooks that am obsessed with:

Half Baked Harvest by Tieghan Gerard – this is my favourite!

The recipes always result in flavour-packed meals, they’re super easy to follow and generally consist of common ingredients that you’d have in your kitchen.

No Fuss Vegan by Roz Purcell – I bought this a few weeks ago as I thought it would be interesting to try out some vegan recipes.

What I love about the cookbook is that it’s not just for vegans, it’s for anyone who wants to find new ways of eating more vegetables and enjoy tasty meals in a quick and easy “no fuss” way.

Emirates cabin crew member Natasha De Souza Allegria. Picture: Supplied

What to watch: my top picks

I’m also keeping busy by watching movies and catching up on my favourite series. I’m currently catching up on Money Heist and This Is Us.

Mental fitness

I love to read books that motivate someone to be and do better, and books that inspire growth. I am currently reading The 5am Club by Robin Sharma and before that I read The Forty Rules of Love by Elif Shafak.

Playing board games with loved ones

I love playing Monopoly. I didn’t realise how competitive I was until I started playing the game frequently. I also love Sudoku and building puzzles.

Stay active indoors with online workout apps

My husband and I are workout buddies. We’ve been following the “Insanity Workout Programme” by Shaun T, it is just that – insane! But we feel so amazing and energised after each day’s session.

Emirates cabin crew member Natasha De Souza Allegria. Picture: Supplied

The importance of self-care and caring for others

Use face masks and keep your skin hydrated. This is also something I would normally do during our crew rest on a long-haul flight.

Leave your phone, just for a few hours. Spend that time doing some of your favourite hobbies.

Try to not mistake thirst for hunger. Before giving in to a craving, drink something instead.

I like to either have a glass of cold water with a few slices of lemon or sometimes even a nice hot cup of tea. Most of the time you’ll find that you were not actually hungry but just slightly dehydrated.

The service training we go through never leaves us. With both myself and my husband being at home, I find myself spoiling him by making the foamiest cappuccinos each day and not forgetting the biscuit on the side.

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