What comforting thing do you need to hear right now

Finding comfort at a time like this can feel nearly impossible. During our daily check-ins as a team, we talk about how we're feeling almost every emotion imaginable right now, from anxious to restless and can't do much about it—or at least, what we would usually do to make ourselves feel better. After a recent check-in, we gathered everyone's favorite ways for seeking comfort in thirty minutes or less. Something as small as eating a childhood pasta recipe or putting on a face mask has helped change the course of our day, and we hope it does the same for yours too. Here are 30 days for feeling comforted in 30 minutes or less:

1. Stretch it out. Roll out your mat and simply move, or try out an app like glo or Jess's favorite right now, Sky Ting TV. 

2. Meditate in whatever way works best for you. Turn on Headspace or another meditation app and set your mind at ease as you tune out the world for a bit.

3. Take a hot shower or bath. There's nothing more comforting to Emily than a warm bath at the end of a long day.

4. Set the scene with candles, lighting, cozy things. Even the simple act of lighting a candle, preferably in a relaxing scent, can be comforting—here are some tips for getting the most from it!

5. Picture the positive. What are you looking forward to? Imagine something really exciting that you're looking forward to. What are you doing? What are you looking forward to most? Don't shroud the idea in any negativity. 

6. Go for a brisk walk in nature. It's amazing how refreshing stepping outside can be. Raven swears by her strolls for her sanity. 

7. Speak positively about yourself to yourself. Look at yourself in the mirror and be kind. Be proud of everything you've done in the past few weeks. It's cheesy but it works!

8. Enjoy comfort and coziness (think blankets, socks). Your physical senses are important to pamper. Wear comfy sweats, wrap yourself in a blanket, drag the space heater over to your feet. You get the idea...

9. Focus on conscious breathing. Whenever you feel anxiety building, focus on your breathing. Distracting your mind will bring you back to a level of balance.

10. Employ the "witness state." Think I am not these emotions. Whenever you're anxious, it's hard to remember that you haven't always been. Notice your emotions, recognize that you haven't been that feeling always, and know that you will overcome it.  

11. Reassess lighting and volume in the room. Lighting and volume can affect your mood dramatically. If your anxiety is heightened, lower the lights, put on calm music, and cut out any distracting sounds. 

12. Employ your taste sense. Eat an orange—but try to do nothing else for five minutes. Take time peeling it, enjoying how it smells, and indulging in every single bite. It'll distract you from any anxiety, often enough to have a lasting impact even after it's all eaten. 

13. Look for phone apps to distract, soothe, or calm. Whether Candy Crush or TikTok are your go-tos, identify which apps make you happy or distracted and don't feel guilty about leaning on them.

14. Call someone who makes you feel at ease. Everyone has a friend who brings them an immense amount of relief whenever faced with hardship. Call them for reassurance—even better if it's a Facetime. 

15. Find comfort in your pets (or Facetime with someone who has them). Pets have never been happier since their humans are finally home 24/7. Spend time with them when you feel isolated and alone.

16. Cry if you need to. Don't bottle it up. Sometimes all you need is a good cry. Watch a sad movie and let it all out. (About Time gets us every time...)

17. Host a virtual happy hour or coffee date. Going from constant social plans to none can be a shock to the system. Schedule group calls with your friends virtually, and consider planning them around a game night or book club to take all of your minds off of the news.

18. Read one of your favorite books. Rereading one of your favorite books is the perfect way to feel like you're back in a happier time. (Harry Potter, anyone?)

19. Pamper yourself with a mini spa day. Pull out the face masks, bubble bath, and essential oils. Then, take time doing your nails and blowing out your hair. You'll feel like a new person by the end! 

20. Journal it out. Writing is a great way to thoughtfully articulate everything we're feeling. Grab a pen and paper and see if getting things off your chest helps. 

21. Cook a comforting meal. Now is not the time to be hard on yourself about anything. Indulge in a comforting, or even challenging, meal, whether it's pasta or brownies, and be comforted from within. 

22. Look at old photos from trips or happy memories. Get lost in your photo albums and enjoy reminiscing on old times. 

23. Listen to your favorite song on repeat. And dance it out, if that's your thing. 

24. Dress up or do your makeup. Our buyer Lisa's family got dressed up for dinner at home as if they were going out to eat, and it instantly made them feel better. Try investing in yourself to make the daily home monotony seem more normal.

25. Do something nice for someone close to you or a stranger. Buy groceries from a local business, volunteer to help out in any little way, or donate to a good cause.  

26. Put on a fresh pair of pajamas (better yet, iron them first). If you have to be home, you might as well be sartorially confident. 

27. Tackle a small at-home to-do task that you've been neglecting. This is the moment we've all been waiting for. Change that lightbulb. Organize your closet. You got this! 

28. Color in a coloring book. Emily swears by coloring with Sloan as a great stress-reliever. There are tons of adult coloring book options available online, but there's nothing wrong with simply grabbing your kid's book!  

29. Get moving! Even if you can't go for a walk outside right now, do an at-home workout. The endorphins will make you feel instantly better!

30. Send a card (or e-card) to someone you've lost touch with. Life is busy at best, and it's so easy to fall out of touch with someone. Take the time to recenter and reach out. We all need one another in times like this (we love this site).

Do you have any ideas to add to this list? Add them to the comments below!