Things to do during the lockdown

Things to do during the lockdown

It’s a very strange time in the world. Coronavirus has spread across the globe, changing everyday life for almost everyone. Here in the UK, the country is currently in lockdown in the hope of stopping the spread of coronavirus across the Nation.

People are having to work from home and stop any social gatherings whatsoever. For the time being we’re all stuck in our own company, and the end is unclear as of now. Given the forced isolation, many people have found themselves with an abundance of spare time on their hands, so we at Intus Lettings have decided to put together a list of things to do during lockdown that could be useful and beneficial to our mental and physical health.

Video chat with family and friends

Arguably the hardest part of this whole situation is the fact that millions are unable to see their loved ones in person. Friends are unable to gather, couples who live apart are unable to see one another and families who are spread out are forced to stay that way. It can be a lonely time, but one way to help with the loneliness is to video chat with your loved ones online.

Apps like Zoom and House Party have seen their popularity soar over the last few weeks. Couples can see each other face-to-face and families and friends can gather together all at once thanks to apps like Zoom allowing up to 100 participants in any call.

Whilst it’s not quite the same as seeing people in person, video calling can help when you’re feeling lonely and allows you to keep in touch with those most important to you in these trying times.

Go for a walk/run

Another major downside of the lockdown is that fact that everyone is confined to their own home, only allowed to leave to shop for essentials or to exercise.

This is a perfect time to (if you don’t already) start to run or even just embark on long walks. Being stuck indoors all day, every day can cause some serious cases of cabin fever, so it’s important to make use of any time you’re allowed outside.

Runs and walks allow for people to get some fresh air and offer a way to pair getting out of the house with exercising and keeping fit.

Learn a new craft

This new-found free time for many can seem boring, so why not make use of the free time and do something productive – like learning a new craft.

You could try to draw, learn an instrument or even teach yourself to cook. Try to focus on any skills you have always wanted to learn but never had the time to, or skills that can be beneficial to you after this is all over.

There are countless options for learning new skills on the internet. You can sign up for online, interactive classes, or join a website such as Skillshare and learn from the numerous online tutorials available. Even free apps like YouTube offer millions of video essays and walk-throughs to help you learn a chosen skill.

Binge-watch a TV show

You can also use this time to binge-watch the latest TV show or series on a streaming service. Many people don’t have time to be as up to date as they would like to be when it comes to television, but this prolonged period of isolation offers a chance to catch up and indulge in plenty of TV.

People are spoilt for choice nowadays, with platforms like Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime all producing hours of top-quality content. Those in the UK are also FINALLY able to join Disney’s new streaming service, Disney+. Whether you want to a sci-fi adventure, teen drama or sit-com, these platforms provide thousands of options, all just a click away.

Play a board game

Board games have long been overshadowed in the ever-increasing digital age; however, they offer an extremely enjoyable option for those looking for a change from staring at a screen.

Games like Monopoly and Trivial Pursuit or even card games like Solitaire and Poker are all great past times for families in particular and allow for a change from the norm when you have a few hours to kill.

Read a book

Sticking to the theme of drawing back on digitalisation, why not use this time to read a book? Books are a fantastic way to immerse yourself into a story for hours on end and you can find absolutely any kind of story your heart desires online.

Reading is also a way to improve your own vocabulary and writing skills, with your brain able to absorb good writing techniques as you go. This time could be extremely sedentary for many, however reading a book is one way to make sure you’re stimulating your brain.

Write

Another way to stimulate your brain is to write. There are many forms of writing available – it could be in story form, blog form regarding a topic of personal interest, or even as a journal.

Times like this can be tough for us all, but many have found solace by writing and journaling. This is a good way to get your thoughts out f your head and onto paper.

Work out at home

The current situation has made working out and exercising extremely difficult. With gyms and sporting facilities being forced to close and sporting clubs unable to continue with training sessions, many are finding it hard to continue to keep fit.

One way around this is to begin a home workout. There are countless workouts available across the internet, allowing you to focus on specific training such as cardio, HIIT or core, so there is always an option to keep yourself fit. Working out is also extremely good for your mental health, so if you find yourself feeling down during this period of uncertainty, a workout could be extremely beneficial.

Relax

This may seem like a simple and unproductive thing to do with free time, but relaxing is so important. Many people in today’s society run themselves into the ground and suffer burnout from their day-to-day lives.

Whether you’re a business owner or an employee, everyone needs periods of rest and relaxation. The forced lockdown offers a chance for those who are suffering with burnout to take a step away, relax and recuperate.

Make a list of things to do once this is all over

As much as the current news surrounding the situation seems very ‘doom and gloom’, the good thing is that this will end. It has already been announced that Wuhan, the city where Coronavirus originated, will end their lockdown in the coming days, so why not plan for the inevitable end of the lockdown here in the UK?

You can plan holidays, days out or even just a trip to town with those closest to you. These plans will offer some positivity and something to look forward to once the lockdown is finished and could really help you get through it.

These are uncertain times for us all, if you’re one of our customers and have any questions or concerns then please visit our website where we have compiled a list of frequently asked questions and answers for both tenants and landlords surrounding COVID-19, and if anything else is needed do not hesitate to get in touch with your local Intus Lettings branch.

Stay home, stay safe.

Spread the word:

Register for updates

Register for updates, offers, events & more