Perhaps you have been busy fighting fires or chipping away at a never-ending to-do list. It may be time to steal away just for a while and reconnect. Take your time, sip a cuppa, and dream big dreams together. 

There is a Chinese saying that goes, “In every crisis there is an opportunity.” Take this chance to slow down and enjoy each other’s presence.

Make a list of the things to be thankful for together. Or mull over some of the big questions in life, like: “What do you want our life to look like in this new chapter?” Or “How can we improve our relationship?”  

One relationship tip from this article by The Gottman Institute, suggests doing stress-reducing conversations. This is a particular type of conversation “where you take turns being the speaker and listener, and share about stressors outside of the relationship. While the speaker shares openly about their stress and emotional experiences, the rules for the listener are to (1) suspend any judgment, (2) side with your partner, (3) validate and empathize with your partner’s experience, and (4) no problem solving.”

Now that you have your heart-to-heart talk with your partner, it is time to gently savour your staycay together.

When was the last time you watched a sunset from start to finish? Nature has a wonderful healing effect on our weary souls. As American essayist John Burroughs once wrote, “I go to nature to be soothed, healed and have my senses put in order.”

Now that we are asked to stay indoors, it doesn’t mean you cannot access nature anymore. Pan Pacific Perth is just a stone’s throw away from the beautiful Swan River, so feel free to pop a nature pill as you gaze at the awe-inspiring surrounds.

You can also roll out on a lounge chair by a large window and just observe the scenery outside. Count the number of trees lining the sidewalk below, or the number of tall buildings. This helps us to be mindful of our emotions, and to take a step back from our worries and anxieties.

Staying healthy is now a breeze with Pan Pacific Perth’s in-room dining options. Select from our wide array of healthy meal options. A classic Caesar Salad perhaps, a grilled Haloumi salad, or a Freo Catch burger, which might just whisk you away to the sunny beaches around Fremantle once more.

A good way to dine in your room in style is to put on the right soundtrack. With multiple music channels available in your room, you can pick your favourite tunes to dine along with – evergreen classics, smooth jazz, or 80s pop perhaps?

Take your pick of delicious room eats from our menu here. 

Those sore muscles yearning for a good stretch? Try Blogilates’ YouTube pilates videos. All you need is a yoga mat and an open mind. (No mat? No sweat, grab a towel instead.) For beginners, we recommend the POP Pilates for Beginners and the 10-minute Side Booty Shaper. 

Or tune in to Fitness Blender, which features a range of cardio and strength exercises done by a husband-and-wife team, so there is bound to be something suitable for the both of you.

Nothing beats the endorphin and dopamine rush which a good round of exercise does to your body, mind and soul.

No matter how uncertain your situation may seem, you can always rely on a good book to bring you comfort and cheer.

For those looking to discover themselves, read The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo – a whimsical story of a china rabbit who goes on a journey of self-discovery after falling overboard while on a cruise. The two-time Newbery medalist may be a writer of children’s fiction but her books carry a calming and magical quality – that may be much needed in our tumultuous times.

Said Ann Patchett about her books: “There’s something about being able to read an entire book in one sitting that’s emotionally very satisfying. Not only are the books beautifully written, the stories have gorgeous arcs. They twist in ways you never see coming and do not shy away from despair or joy or strangeness.”

Or if all the uncertainties have got you mulling over life and the reason to live, Victor Frankl’s best-selling book, Man’s Search for Meaning will not disappoint. This classic chronicling the psychiatrist’s war-time experiences in a Nazi death camp will inspire and encourage you to find your inner strength in times of uncertainty and volatility. 

Finding it impossible to focus? Check out Focus by world-renowned psychologist Daniel Goleman. The perfect read when you are happily ensconced in your room, squirreled away from the distractions of the world.     

For more ebooks and audiobooks that you can check out without leaving your hotel room, head to Libby or Blinkist.

Did you know that mindful origami is a thing? Truth is, any art form can be a mindful activity, so long as you put your mind to it. 

It is always satisfying to make something using your own bare hands. This origami website recommends focusing on the task at hand and on the moment, and to make a conscious decision to slow down and enjoy the process. You can learn how to fold a classic origami boat here, or if you are a math and engineering buff, try your hand at creating ninja stars! 

Have you heard of the Dalgona coffee trend? Originating in South Korea, this instant coffee drink is so delightfully decadent and photogenic that it made its rounds on Instagram and TikTok. To Gen-Zs and Millennials, it is the perfect pick-me-up for a dreary day.

Dalgona coffee requires only four ingredients — instant coffee, sugar, milk and hot water. You will have to mix them together vigorously with a whisk until the coffee becomes light and fluffy. Thereafter, you can pour the concoction over a glass filled with milk. This video suggests ⅔ milk and ⅓ coffee foam as the ideal balance for the cuppa.

For more quarantine-inspired online challenges, read this Vox article.

As we all work on carving a new normal in our lives, this is a good time to connect with family and friends to check in on them, while also maintaining a semblance of familiarity. This helps improve our overall sense of wellbeing, reminds us of what is truly important in life, and cultivates a sense of gratitude and purpose.

To do so, you may consider using video conferencing tools like Zoom, Skype, Google Hangouts or FaceTime. Each allows you to see and hear each other so that you can be together yet apart.

You can also schedule some blocks of time to catch up with mates at work. Although it may seem quicker to send an email, being able to connect face-to-face can help ease the sense of isolation away.

Head honcho of Microsoft, Bill Gates, took solo trips to the woods twice a year to disconnect and think strategically. Dubbed ‘Think Week’, he took this time to read as many papers as he could and jot down personal notes. 

Laura Stack, president and CEO of consulting firm The Productivity Pro, describes his approach as smart. She said, “People should have a ‘third place’ that isn’t work or home, where you can find focused time to think and create and clarify your strategic thinking...We must create an environment that gives us the ability to focus our minds without interruption from coworkers, spouses, children, pets and technology, or we’ll never be able to concentrate on higher-order activities.”

Journalling can be a therapeutic exercise; expressing your worries on paper can help you identify what is missing, while creating ‘thankful lists’ can develop gratitude. So arm yourself with a trusty pen and journal. It is time to redeem the times with your stories and doodles.

Seeking a place to rejuvenate your senses and discover yourself? Make Pan Pacific Perth your safe harbour today. Speak to our concierge team to enquire about our staycation packages!