Being stuck watching incessant flow of violence, blood, destruction, torching down churches and the endless political and humanistic mayhem we live in from 7pm each night, the curfew can have a rather stressful effect on both our psychology as well as our bottoms. So here are our 10 tips to avoid putting on the extra weight as you mindlessly reach out for that Nutella jar and cookies and watch the news during curfew hours.

Editor’s Note: Thank you, Radwa Abou El Azm, for inspiring this entry.

1. Munch on healthy, low-fat and low-calorie snacks:

• Have some nice, cold, and juicy watermelons.
• Leave a plate of cut up cucumbers, celery sticks, carrot sticks, cut up green and yellow peppers and a bowl of yohgurt, salt and garlic dip on the coffee table so you can reach out for the healthy snack as you watch television.
• Have a handful of raw walnuts and a handful of raw almonds to curb your appetite and keep your brain in good shape, this isn’t exactly low calorie so be very careful with the quantity and don’t keep the whole box of nuts in front of you to limit your servings.
• If you’re craving sweets, keep a bowl of cherries and grapes around to satisfy your sweet tooth.

– Keep your hands busy: You’re eating because you’re stressed and bored and need something to blow off steam and keep you busy. So try keeping busy with something else, here are a few suggestions:

2. Give yourself a mani-pedi or a facial: Try this recommended facial, this recipe for a good scrub to prep you for the beach or pamper your hair with this homemade recipe

3. Sort your closet into ‘donate’ pile, ‘keep’ pile and a ‘vamp’ up pile: Try one of our DIYs for inspiration on how to glam up an old jumper, recycle worn out heels or turning plain black pumps into statement shoes. to vamp up your wardrobe

4. Play some music if you are good with an instrument or listen to May El Sherbiny’s playlist to get you in the dancing mood (this doubles as a mood-lifter and a good workout for when you do cave in and reach out for the Nutella jar)

5. You can even get busy in the kitchen and prepare yourself a nice, refreshing, healthy smoothie or ice cream. Try our recipe for a healthy watermelon granita,  this healthy strawberry ice cream or try this perfect lemonade recipe

6. Make a scrap book for the kids, fill out that wedding photo album you vowed to finish over 2009’s weekends or fill those empty frames you proudly display in your reception.

7. Make your own chalkboard wall and let the creativity run. This is a project  you can enjoy with your parents, husband or kids. A chalkboard area is fun for your to write recipes, grocery lists or messages for your family and a whole wall is truly an art platform for your kids to unleash all their artsy sides. Read our article on how to make a no-fuss chalkboard wall with materials available in Egypt.

8. Work out: We know it seems like the last thing you want to do right now, but a good workout will not only keep you busy and fit, it will also reduce your stress significantly. Try FitnessBlender.com for many home workout step-by-step videos that suit different fitness levels, needs and equipments available to you.

9. Catch up on a good book: Although we would normally recommend a variety of deep and lighter books, today we will recommend a nice, light, chick lit that will keep you in a positive mood and won’t add more burden to your already-stressed mind. Click here for Good Reads’s list of recommended chick lit to get you rolling.

10. Learn a new language. We’re serious, how long have you been saying you want to learn Italian? Well get cracking on self-learning websites and apps to prep you up for when you decide to go on and take that course. Here is one of the websites we came across that will teach you the basics to various languages: http://www.elanguageschool.net.