Category: Covid-19 support

In need of some entertainment to make lockdown pass by in a flash? Finding new ideas to nurture your inner self and take care of things you have been putting off is the order of the day. 

The good news is that keeping yourself busy doesn’t always have to involve spending money either. 

Here are 10 free things to do at home during lockdown to zap that boredom away. 

Create a life plan

If lockdown has given us anything it’s thinking time. Even if the future looks a little different from the start of lockdown, it’s still a good idea to decide where your life is heading. Maybe you’ve been considering a new career, or are aiming to buy a house? Now is the time to figure out how you are going to make it happen and to put the wheels in motion. If you need a helping hand to get your life in order then an online life coach is always a good idea! 

Try a lockdown challenge

Bored? It’s time to have a go at toilet roll keepie uppie or even try the latest dance craze on TikTok. Given gyms are shut right now, at least it will get you moving! Lockdown challenges are also a great way to distract the kids, especially if they are feeling pretty restless. 

Rearrange your living space

Interior designer Kelly Hoppen is a huge fan of rearranging her home regularly. While it might seem like a bit of a faff, it can actually help you get the most out of the space you do have. For example, changing the placement of your sofa or moving the dining table to allow more room either side. If you’re unhappy with your current home, this technique can help you see it in a whole new light. 

Research your family tree

Curious about where you came from? Family history websites such as Ancestry and Find My Past offer free trials that can point you in the right direction. Before you start, it’s a good idea to write down what you do know on a piece of paper, as this will help you identify which records are correct. You can begin to build your tree and even find pictures people may have uploaded of your relatives without having to pay.

At-home spa day

Love a good pamper? If so, you likely have a few beauty products hanging around the house. From a manicure to a face mask, and even a conditioning hair mask, taking time out for yourself can do the world of good. Self-care is closely tied with mental health, and we all need to be making sure we look after ourselves. Find some relaxing music playlists on YouTube to give your treatments the spa touch. 

Give an old friend a call

We all know how staying in touch with loved ones matters during lockdown, but don’t forget old friends you haven’t spoken to in years either. Many messaging platforms exist that allow you to call people regardless of where they live for free. Make the most of the time we have to do just that. You never know, it might just make their day to hear from you. 

Have a clear-out

It might not sound like the most exciting task, but if you have junk lying around or clothes you never wear, lockdown is as good a time as any to get rid of everything. Whether you send it to the charity shop or make some money on eBay, you will feel so much better when your spaces are clear and clear. The air will feel much cleaner in your home too. 

Record your family stories

Every family has amazing or hilarious stories that get wheeled out at parties. But not many people think to record them as a keepsake to pass onto the next generation. Recording your family stories either through your phone or even a video camera is an amazing idea everyone should try. Once you are finished, send a copy to everyone in your family. Not only will it bring a smile to their face during lockdown, but it will provide happiness for years to come too. 

Yoga

If you’ve spent much of this year working from home hunched over the kitchen table, your body is probably feeling it. Yoga isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but the reality is that even some basic stretching can help avoid any aches and pains. Back pain, neck pain and even headaches can be caused by poor posture, and yoga will help you adopt a better frame. Many guru’s upload free videos on YouTube for you to try at home. 

Learn to draw

With so much time spent looking at screens these days, few of us spend time on recreational activities such as learning to draw. All you need is a pen and paper to get started which most people have lying around their homes. If you happen to have any pencils or crayons this is even better. There are millions of tutorials you can access for free online to sharpen your skills. It might just inspire your kids to become budding illustrators in the future too. 

To sum up

The above ideas will hopefully give you some food for thought when it comes to keeping yourself entertained during lockdown. While this time certainly isn’t easy, with the right approach you can use it to get things done you’ve been avoiding until now, plus learn some new skills to boot.

There’s nothing quite like a global pandemic to make you focus on your health. Aside from the obvious measures we all need to take to avoid coronavirus itself, it’s also important to look after your health as a whole. 

This is especially the case given we aren’t following our normal routines or even getting outside as much as we normally would. Here are our top tips on staying healthy during coronavirus to guide you.

Keep moving

Even before the pandemic, the average person spent 90% of their time indoors. What with the lockdown and working from home, this number is likely even higher now. A sedentary lifestyle is bad for our health in so many ways, so you need to look at creative ways at combating this. 

Try to start each day with 10 minutes of stretching, which will help counteract any aches or pains from being hunched over a screen all day. If you live near any parks or walking trails, make the most of them by going on a walk during your lunch hour or after work. You can also find plenty of free workout tutorials online, or even hire a remote personal trainer. 

Ditch the takeaways

The temptation to order a pizza when the weather is grim and you can’t go out is all too real. But the reality is that processed food is the last thing we need to be eating right now, especially if you are trying to keep your immune system in check.

If you really must order takeout (and want to support local business which is great), stick to healthier dishes. For example, greens, lean protein or delicious smoothies. It might not be as tasty as a juicy kebab, but your health will seriously thank you for it. If you have no idea where to begin when it comes to healthy eating, a nutritionist or dietitian will be able to set you on the right path. 

Don’t ignore any worrying signs

Sometimes you know something just isn’t right. It can be easy to dismiss what’s going on because you’re afraid, or due to the confusion about which services are still open during lockdown. But this can make whatever it is much more difficult to treat if it does turn out to be anything sinister. 

Likewise, if you are due to attend any health screenings or checkups, do not put these off just because of coronavirus. Unless you are self-isolating, you should still be attending all of your health appointments. Remember, your GP is there to look after you, so don’t delay in accessing treatment if you need it. 

Seek support

Your mental health is just as important as your physical health. What with lockdown, economic uncertainty and all the restrictions, it’s perfectly understandable if you’ve experienced a dip in your mental health as a result of the pandemic. It’s really important you don’t suffer alone, especially with so much help available out there.

Many counsellors, therapists and life coaches have switched to working remotely, offering phone and video sessions. Speaking to a neutral party can help you make sense of what you are going through, and help you carve a way forward. In fact, finding the right help can be life-changing especially if you’ve been carrying around emotional baggage for some time. Or if you don’t have much of a support system in place during the pandemic. 

To sum up

Even though you might be finding living through coronavirus tough, it’s still important to stay on top of your general health. Eating the right foods, exercising and acting fast if you notice anything that isn’t quite right will stand you in good stead. As we continue to navigate these difficult times, maintaining your health is one of the best things to focus on. 

After months cooped up at home during lockdown, you are probably fed up of staring at the same walls. If your property is cramped or if it’s been some time since you decorated, you might even be thinking of moving. 

But, with the right approach, you can completely redesign your existing space. Home improvements also give you something to look forward to, especially as they will allow you to fix what you’re unhappy with about your property. Here are some ideas to inspire you. 

Garage conversion

Having a garage seems like a real asset at first, until you realise you never actually use it for parking your car in. Instead, it’s become a glorified cupboard which ironically, you probably spend most of lockdown trying to declutter. 

That’s why it’s worth converting your garage to usable living space instead. This could include extending your living room or even adding a downstairs bedroom or office space to your home. Whatsmore, a garage conversion could add up to 20% onto the value of your home, meaning a tidy profit if you do decide to sell.

Find a specialist to get the ball rolling with your garage conversion!  

Window upgrade

Windows take up 25% of the average wall space. As well as letting in light, windows are designed to keep your home thermally efficient. But if it’s been a while since your windows were installed, this may no longer be the case. Plus, older windows can lack basic security features and look dated too.

These days, there are many different styles of windows to choose from including aluminium and triple glazed windows. New windows will reduce your energy bills and make your home look stylish inside and out. You can also have the frames sprayed a different colour to match the rest of your home. 

Loft conversion

In need of some extra space to live, work or exercise in? Loft conversions are ideal for creating extra rooms and come in all shapes and sizes. They can involve changing your roof shape to maximise the space created, which is ideal if you want to add a bedroom and a bathroom. Though they can also be performed on a basic level too depending on your budget. 

When you think about it, loft conversions make sense because otherwise, space is going to waste. It’s also much cheaper than moving, especially if you have a growing family and your current home isn’t big enough. Alternatively, if you’re a landlord, it may be possible to add another flat onto the property in the roof depending on its configuration. A loft conversion specialist will make light work of getting your conversion done and dusted! 

Bathroom renovation

Bathrooms that are tired not only show their age but can mean you aren’t getting the most out of the space. Even small bathrooms can benefit from a modern L-shaped bath that allows for the installation of a shower over the widest part of the tub. Sleek metro tiles and a floating sink will also add a modern touch.

Self-care has never been more important, especially with the demands on our mental health during the pandemic. What better way to relax than a jacuzzi style bath or a rainwater shower? Even on a tight budget, there are plenty of ways you can improve your bathroom. You could also add in a bathroom downstairs if you have the room too. 

Rendering

With so much attention spent on the inside of your home, don’t forget the outside too. Rendering can make your home look incredibly stylish, and makes a great first impression on visitors or potential buyers alike.

It’s possible to get rendering done in a multitude of styles and finishes. An added benefit is that it will make your home warmer, especially if you don’t already have cavity wall insulation. Any damp or mould problems could also be resolved if the issue has been caused by a lack of external rendering.

To sum up

Coming out of lockdown is a great opportunity to fix things in your home that are preventing you from enjoying the property to its potential. Whether you need extra space to work from home or want to make improvements so that you can achieve a higher sale price, anything is possible with a little imagination and of course, the right tradespeople!

Having a clean and tidy home has always been important for our health. But the coronavirus pandemic has shined a real light on how easy bacteria can spread, especially when it’s invisible. 

Even with the best intentions, it’s not always possible to keep up with the cleaning, especially if you have a busy career or children to take care of. You might not even be able to clean due to a disability or simply find you’re not good at it.

Whether you’re reading this during the covid-19 pandemic or beyond, there are plenty of services that can help keep your home clean.  

Upholstery and furniture cleaning

We spend a lot of time sitting on our sofas, and so do our pets too. Research suggests more bacteria can be found on a sofa than on a toilet seat. Given upholstery isn’t as easy to disinfect as our bathroom surfaces, this probably isn’t a surprise. But when it comes to keeping your home clean it’s impossible to remove dirt, stains and hidden bacteria from soft furnishings with vacuuming alone. 

That’s why it’s time to call in an upholstery and furniture cleaner. Using steam cleaning and professional-grade cleaning solutions, the team will make light work of even the most stubborn stains. But it will also give you peace of mind that your upholstery and furniture is clean, especially when it comes to the areas we interact with most.

Deep cleaning

Cleaning a home thoroughly is a difficult task, especially if you lack the time, skills or inclination to do it. But, it will make light cleaning much easier and benefit your health by removing dust, allergens and areas of dirt from your home. Deep cleaning services are incredibly popular for this reason and can be scheduled as a general clean or to disinfect depending on the contractor’s specialism. 

Either way, knowing your home is absolutely spotless will make a huge difference to all those who use it. The service can involve mopping, vacuuming, dusting, steam cleaning, window cleaning, upholstery cleaning and much more. Every surface will be left clean and sanitised, which is important for our health during Covid-19 and beyond. 

Carpet cleaning

When was the last time your carpets were deep cleaned? Probably never, right? Experts recommend having your carpets professionally cleaned at least once a year. If your carpets are in a high-traffic area of your home, or if they have visible stains on them, then it’s time to call in the experts.

Carpet cleaning professionals will use steam extraction tools to get deep down into your carpet fibres. This will agitate the dirt and allow it to be removed. It can completely transform even the dirtiest of carpets and save you from the cost of having to purchase a new one. Best of all? You’ll be safe in the knowledge your floors are hygienically clean.

Oven cleaning

Our ovens get a lot of action, and if you’ve been working from home they’ve probably been doing overtime. While on the one hand, the extreme temperatures of ovens get our food cooked, it can also encourage grease and food particles to become burnt onto the inside of the oven itself and across your trays.

Professional oven cleaning will remove all traces of debris, without having to spend hours scrubbing it yourself. This includes cleaning the exterior touchpoints, which are commonly interacted with yet we all forget to clean them. 

Gutter cleaning

Gutters are one of the top areas homeowners forget to clean, mostly because they are out of sight and so the dirt is not as visible. But what most people don’t realise is that the state of your gutters can impact your health. That’s because, over time, leaves, twigs and other debris build up in your gutters causing them to become blocked. If rainwater can’t drain away from your home properly, it can lead to damp and mould issues. 

This in turn can cause respiratory problems due to the mould that has formed on internal walls and ceilings. But it’s so easy to avoid this from happening in the first place. Having your gutters cleaned is a simple process, and the contractor may even use a video camera attached to the equipment to ensure the blockage has been removed. So if you’ve noticed a damp or mould problem in your home, don’t delay in having your gutters checked over by a professional to locate the root cause. 

To sum up

Regular cleaning is one of the best ways to protect your health. Covid-19 aside, many illnesses can occur if dirt is left to build up, even if it’s on the outside of your home such as in the gutters. The good news is that with so many professional cleaning services out there, you don’t have to tackle your cleaning alone. Hiring a professional for your cleaning will not only give you a better result, but it will free up more time for what’s important too.

As we plunge into another lockdown, you might be wondering what this means for who is now allowed to enter your home. While mixing might be strictly banned, what about key services you may require? 

Here’s the lowdown about who you can and can’t have in your house during lockdown to tell you more. 

Beauticians

Beauticians and hairdressers have been forced to close their doors once again during this lockdown. As the service is not considered essential, they are not permitted to work in your home. 

Cleaners

Cleaners cannot work remotely, which means they are permitted to continue working as normal throughout lockdown. If your property is on the smaller size, you may need to stay in one room while the cleaner works to avoid contact as social distancing measures still need to be adhered to. 

Locksmiths

Locksmiths are an essential service, so they will continue to operate during lockdown. This includes retail outlets relating to the trade. They will only be responding to essential call outs such as owners locked out of the house or emergency key cutting. 

Babysitters

Those who provide childcare can travel to their place of work as they cannot work remotely, and this includes nannies and babysitters. If your nanny would normally look after your children at your home, they can continue to do so. 

Personal Trainers

Gyms are closed during the lockdown, but you are permitted to leave your home to exercise once per day, as long as it’s within your local area.

You are also allowed to exercise in a public outdoor space with 1 person from another household when on your own, which includes a personal trainer. However, you can’t invite a personal trainer over to your house or any other indoor environment. Luckily, many personal trainers are conducting classes over Zoom, which is ideal while you wait for gyms to reopen. 

Roofers

If roofers can maintain social distancing, then they can continue to work during the lockdown. Though, consultations will need to be done over the phone rather than in person. If you have a problem with your roof, it is better to get it fixed sooner rather than later, due to other severe problems such as water damage and mould it can cause if not. 

Tradespeople

The likes of plumbers, electricians, and builders are permitted to work in your home during the lockdown. Though, they aren’t allowed to work if they are showing any symptoms of Covid-19. Some tradespeople are limiting the jobs they take on to cover urgent callouts only.

If the job isn’t urgent, it’s certainly worth waiting until lockdown is over to have any work done to your home. This is especially the case if you live in an area of the UK that is experiencing a high infection rate, as the least people you come into contact with the better. 

To sum up 

It’s good to note that rules are subject to change and that no work should be carried out on your home if you are self-isolating.

Check out the latest UK government guidelines here.

All of us are prone to getting a bit restless in lockdown, and kids are no exception. Unfortunately, during this time they cannot go to soft play or even attend birthday parties. Even their after-school activities are on hold.

However, with just a little imagination it’s easy to come up with plenty of ways to keep them entertained. They might just learn a thing or two while they are at it!

Here are our top ideas on what to do in lockdown for kids to tell you more. 

Crafts

Crafts are amazing for kids because they cover lots of different ideas, and will keep them busy for hours. From papercraft to play-doh, anything goes! Crafting is also a constructive outlet that can benefit your child’s mental health in the long term. 

All you need is some paper, crayons, wool, stickers and paint and you have all the fun you need to last throughout lockdown and beyond. They could even make something for their grandparents who will no doubt be missing them during this time. 

Den building

Who doesn’t want a castle in their living room? Grab some bedsheets, cushions and set to work on constructing your fort. You can even decorate the outside with some fairy lights. Don’t forget a torch to be able to shine a light on any intruders. Some snacks will be appreciated too! 

Dens help to reimagine your living space, which during the cramped situation of lockdown will inject some enthusiasm into your home. It’s also easy to put everything away once you’ve finished, making this idea very low on effort but brilliant in the amount of enjoyment it will generate. 

Cooking lessons

Your kids might think dinner comes from the oven, but as you well know the reality is a little different! If you teach your children to cook while they are young, it’s a skill that will stay with them for life. Lockdown couldn’t be a better time to get a head start on this. 

The dishes you make are up to you, but a pastry-based pie is a great one. They will enjoy rolling out the pastry, and they can even write their name on the top! If you are looking to improve their nutrition, you can take the time to explain the benefits of each vegetable as they peel them. 

Scrabble

While your kids no doubt have plenty of board games (and screen-based games) to choose from, you can’t beat a classic game of Scrabble. In the age of texting, spelling is sadly becoming a skill that not all children are mastering anymore. 

With the disruption to their education due to the last lockdown, incorporating learning through games can make it a much more enjoyable experience. Scrabble Junior is ideal for younger kids, and also has a reversible board meaning they can grow with it as their skills improve. 

Decorate their bedrooms

If your kids have reached the stage of feeling utterly fed up, then switching up their bedrooms will give them a change of scenery. It can also help them transition to the next stage of their development, especially if their current bedroom feels a little babyish.

There’s no need to go wild on the budget either. Even a simple lick of paint can make a huge difference. Be sure to browse Pinterest to get some ideas. Creating a welcoming, calming space will help your child relax, especially after such a challenging year. They can also look forward to inviting their friends over to see their new room once things are back to normal.

To sum up

Sometimes when you are trying to keep kids entertained, you just have to go back to the drawing board. It’s not always about sticking them in front of a screen, rather spending quality time together. 

With the right approach, you could even use lockdown to make happy memories that they will remember in years to come, rather than the difficulties we are all facing right now.