As COVID-19 weaves its way through the global population, leaving businesses closed and people stranded at home in isolation, it’s easy to lose sight of the bigger picture and let negative thoughts creep into your daily routine.

Aside from using this obligatory “me-time” to read a great book or explore a new hobby, you can add a few inspirational accounts to your Instagram feed to brighten your days and keep your mind focused on a positive outlook for the days to come.

We’ve found a handful of our favorite inspirational accounts to get you started.

Humans of New York @humansofny

What began as a photography project in 2010 by founder Brandon Stanton is now a phenomenally popular Instagram account, offering up inspirational stories of the colorful lives of everyday New Yorkers. This photoblog now has more than 10 million followers and has expanded to publish two books, “Humans of New York” and “Humans of New York: Stories,” with a curated selection of profiles.

The project has also been involved in fundraising and charity efforts for a number of causes. Stanton started the project by photographing various people he met on the streets of New York, eventually striking up conversations with them and including short interviews with details of their lives. Through the power of social media, this project became an internet sensation and now connects followers with daily doses of humanity.

Apartment Therapy @apartmenttherapy

For visually appealing posts filled with DIY tips and motivation centered on organizing your personal space, look no further than Apartment Therapy. Originally a lifestyle blog founded in 2004 by brothers Maxwell Ryan and Oliver Ryan, this account has nearly 2.5 million followers and proposes to help “everyone to live happy, healthy lives at home.”

Design-focused posts offer up gorgeous compositions and styles that appeal to your innate sense of creativity. However, you’ll notice a trend in much of the content – a focus on beautifying and functionalizing small living spaces in a way that is accessible to more people.

Happsters @happsters

This “happiness blog” founded by Kelli Pease focuses on the “4 Gs: Gratitude, Growth, Giving & Gathering.” More than 105K followers make up this community. It began through a moment of inspiration in 2013 when Pease witnessed an organization called “Happier Boston” handing out oranges and holding up “happy signs” at a train station. This act of compassion sparked the idea in Pease that spreading happiness would make the world a better place.

Fridays are #puppyfriday and feature adorable, cuteness-loaded posts alongside their daily content of inspirational quotes and positive messages.

Food52 @food52

For foodies, there are a ton of cooking and food inspiration accounts to follow on Instagram. But, there’s no overlooking Food52, which serves up content that will make you want to lick your screen. Founded by food editor, cookbook author and entrepreneur Amanda Hesser, this food blog has won a James Beard Award, which recognizes culinary professions in the United States. Also, it has gone on to publish New York Times-bestselling cookbooks.

Their motto is “eat thoughtfully, live joyfully.” They’ve set out to bring together a community of like-minded people to share recipes and cooking tips as well as support one another in their culinary endeavors. Gorgeous photography meets delicious recipes for a winning combination that might become one of your favorite accounts.

Kayla Itsines @kayla_itsines

For a healthy life-balance, a good #fitspiration account should definitely be on the list. Look no further than Kayla Itsines, the Australian personal trainer who has built up an impressive fitness following on Instagram with more than 12 million followers. She has been personal training since 2008 and now focuses on educating and encouraging women in their fitness journeys (although these workouts are perfectly suited for guys, too!).

Daily posts offer instructional videos for workouts that can be easily performed at home, plus plenty of motivational posts to keep you focused on your goals. For a tailored approach, join her paid BBG programs for flexible 28-minute workouts that are easily accessible on the SWEAT app.

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