5 Things To Keep You Occupied During Lockdown

With the current UK lockdown rules in place, it's time to get creative with our time! Life as we knew it is on hold but that doesn't mean that we can't make the most of our time at home.

Here are a few things that I've been doing to fill my time that I'd highly recommend.

(Note: I've included links to all of my recommendations - highlighted in pink - so feel free to click and explore)

1. Keeping Fit With Online Classes

Where would we be without Zoom? As a company I don't think they could have ever predicted such a surge in activity.

If you haven't used Zoom before, it is essentially a video conferencing platform that has taken the world by storm during lockdown.

So many companies are offering online classes, be it Pilates, Yoga, HIIT sessions, Strength and Conditioning and many more.

If you like to exercise as and when you feel like it, then the classic pre-recorded Joe Wicks videos are great to do in your living room or garden. Especially if you're still working at the moment, his short yet intense workouts can make all the difference.

If you're more like me and prefer to have a set time to exercise then there are some great online classes available. I've signed up to do Pilates and Strength and Conditioning classes with the Hatt Clinic. They are a small company that have started running online classes and they are brilliant!

The classes are done through Zoom, and for Pilates you can choose from 4 classes per day. The thing that I love most about these classes is that it's in real time, so the instructor can check your form and make sure you're doing each exercise correctly. I also see the same people in each class so we tend to hang back for five minutes at the end to have a chit chat which is really nice. I would highly recommend these classes.

And of course, don't forget about your one outing per day. Make the most of this! Go out for a walk, a run or a cycle. After all, there's nothing quite like a bit of fresh air.

2. Learn A New Skill

What better time than now to learn a new skill. For me, that skill has been cooking. Over the past six months I have been edging toward more of a plant based diet and a big part of this has been learning how to cook delicious recipes without any of the 'good' stuff. (By good stuff I mean cheese, cream and meat etc).

It's been quite the journey but I've managed to find some fantastic recipes. When I decided to go more plant based I was concerned that I'd have a lack of variety in my diet but in fact it's quite the opposite.

Recently, I've been using a book called BOSH by Henry Firth and Ian Theasby. As someone that is quite new to plant based eating this book is great! It's got some of the classic British dishes with a plant based twist. A good example of this is the Spag Bol made with mushrooms instead of mince (don't judge until you've tried it).

Another book I'd recommend if you're interested in cutting meat out of your diet is MOB Veggie by Ben Lebus. It's USP is 'Feed 4 or more for under £10' so it's especially great if you are trying to save your pennies. We've tried some great recipes in there, one of our favourites being Peanut Red Thai Curry (made from scratch! No pre-bought paste). Some of the method instructions in this book leave room for imagination but overall it's a great go-to book.

Have a think about what skill you have always wanted to learn. Is it to bake? To play an instrument? To learn a new language? Whatever it may be, use this time wisely to develop yourself as a person. This time we've been granted is priceless, so don't let it pass you by.

3. Develop Your Knowledge

Is there something you've wanted to learn more about? Perhaps there's a part of your job that you're curious about but haven't found the time to explore yet. Or perhaps you've got a keen interest in history or politics that you'd like to read up on. Whatever it may be, now is the time to learn more.

Personally, I'm more of a practical learner so I've opted in to do lots of online courses using a platform called Future Learn. I've completed about four courses so far surrounding business and marketing.

There are all sorts of different topics available and for many of them, you come away with a certificate (That's my favourite part). So if you decide to check this out and complete a professional course, be sure to put it on your Linked In profile.

Living in the digital age, there is an endless amount of information out there to develop your knowledge. So get started and don't forget to share what you learn.

4. Read A Book

Now if I'm being honest, I've never really been much of a reader. I love the idea of curling up with a good book but it's not always the first thing that springs to mind when I think about relaxing. Perhaps you're an avid reader or you're more like me, either way, reading is a great hobby and it's certainly something I am determined to do more of.

As reading is a fairly new hobby for me, I decided to start off with a more practical book. A book that has had quite an impact on my daily life already. A book all about health and wellbeing. If you've not read it before, it is a must-read called The 4 Pillar Planby by Dr. Rangan Chatterjee.

It's a really simple step-by-step guide on how to relax, sleep, eat and move better in order to live a happy and healthy life. I'm incredibly passionate about this topic so thoroughly enjoyed reading the book and took away some great tips from it. If you haven't read it, I'd highly recommend this book.

Whatever your preferred genre, why not set aside some time to sit down and read a book this week. Now that I'm starting to appreciate the benefits of reading more, I'm finding myself doing more and more of it each day.

5. Quality Time

Now for many of us, we see quality time as going to the pub with some friends or tucking into a Sunday roast with the family. Yet of course, these things are currently out of bounds.

Perhaps some of you are staying with family at the moment. For others, like me, you might be living with housemates or a significant other. Whoever it is that you're spending lock down with, try to set time aside each week for quality time.

My boyfriend and I are living together and we've set aside one evening per week for each other. For example, this Friday, I will get to choose what we have for dinner, what movie to watch or activity to do and I won't need to do any washing up or cooking. Then next week the roles will be reversed. It sounds like quite a small thing to do, but in times like this, it makes all the difference.

Whether it's a date night with your other half, a house party with your housemates or a family dinner where everyone gets dressed up, try and make time for one another on a weekly basis.

Furthermore, try not to shut off from the rest of the world during lockdown. Stay connected with your family and friends through social media. For example, every Thursday, I Zoom with my mum, dad and grandma and we all do the Virtual Pub Quiz. It's great fun!

I've also had a glass of wine whilst catching up with a girlfriend on House Party. Whatever it might be - stay connected. And who knows, maybe you'll even find the time to reconnect with an old friend.

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If you've got some recommendations on activities that have kept you entertained through lockdown then please share. I'd love to hear what you've been up to.

If these 5 tips have left you hungry for more, head over to this Money Saving Expert web page. There are plenty of great resources to keep you occupied.