In the UK, we are now effectively in lockdown, as are lots of countries around the world! When I first found out, I was worried I would get bored or feel stuck at home. Then I realised there are so many options to keep busy. I’ve listed a few I am planning to do below, but there are loads more, depending what you’re into:

1. Yoga – I normally practice yoga twice per week at Uni, but of course the classes are cancelled for a while. Instead, I am doing a short practice when I can in my living room – you can find loads of practices online. It’s a really good way to reduce stress as well, because it can be difficult to focus when the only thing anyone is talking about is coronavirus. You don’t really need a mat either, it can just be a little bit more comfortable.
2. Exercises – you could run around the house, do some calisthenics or find some fitness regime online. As soon as I feel trapped, I get really energetic, but I’m lucky since we have a rowing machine at home.
3. Cooking – I love cooking so it’s been a really good excuse to make lunch or dinner for my family. I’m also trying to make new things. It has been a bit of a challenge because it’s difficult to get some ingredients, so I’ve become way more creative, finding new recipes that use ingredients that are easier to get.
4. Writing a book or graphic novel – this isn’t really one I would enjoy (I’m not so into writing), however a couple of my friends are quite into writing and they’re having a great time.
5. Drawing – I am planning to find my art set from when I was little and draw some stuff. I’m really not very arty, so don’t expect to see my work in a gallery, but it’s something to do.
6. Gardening – we have a little garden at my parent’s house, so we are planning to tidy it up and we managed to get some seeds, so I have an excuse to get outside.
7. Cleaning and tidying – it doesn’t sound very interesting, but I always put it off normally, and it can feel really good to get the jobs done. Now that I’m stuck at home, I actually feel a bit more productive, because it would be so easy to sit and do nothing.
8. Netflix catchups – there are so many TV shows I’ve said I’ll watch for about 3 years and I never got around to it. Now it gives me something to do in the evening, since these are very quiet all of a sudden.
9. Meet up with friends virtually – just because we can’t leave home doesn’t mean we can’t chill with people. I’ve “met up” with some friends I haven’t spoken to in years and it’s been great. You could use Houseparty, Skype, Whatsapp, Facetime or Teams.
10. Planning for when things relax again – I am making a flexible list of things I wish I could be doing, which I can get on with once lockdown is over. Most of my plans this year are cancelled, so I can start afresh and maybe do new things.
11. Studying – it needs done at some point, so this is as good a time as any. Just make sure if you’re studying from home that you put time limits on, so that you feel that you have some free time as well. I try to work somewhere I don’t normally chill, so that I divide between work and relaxing easily.
12. Reading – its really nice to read something, especially where we have had the sunny weather. It could be a novel or a really interesting article that you wouldn’t normally have time to read.
13. Get up early – I am getting up early (even though I don’t really need to) and having a nice chilled breakfast, with some music playing. It seems to make me feel more active than having a massive lie in, which is really tempting when I have nowhere to go.
14. Walks – Boris has told us we can have one outing a day for exercise, so make the most of it. I have been going on dog walks. Just make sure you follow the rules on social distancing (2 metres, stay with people from the same household).