How Do You Cope?

Our team shares how they’ve been getting by during the lockdown.

Sam Hameed

Week 7 into lockdown and working from home in a very challenging market am I going insane yet?

Working on my on in myself made an office in the dining room for 10 a day has had its challenges but coming up with a daily disciplined route has helped as well keeping myself busy outside of working hours which is what I want to tell you about.

Craft Ale

Until the lockdown actually happened I’ve never really been into Craft Ales as my usual drinking establishments (The Whitehall Restaurant & Bar and The Restaurant Bar & Grill) don’t offer them so my drink of choice is usually a pint of Moretti or a glass/bottle of Sauvignon Blanc. However, I order a number of shirts from Hawes & Curtis on the week of lockdown which came with a promotional offer from Beer52.com which was a selection of craft ales (10 cans I think) which I only had to pay for delivery since then I’ve been hooked! I’ve joined craft ale Facebook groups, ordered from Saltaire Brewery, and kept my subscription with Beer52 which I’m due another delivery this week ? my favourite so far has to be Elvis Juice by Brewdog!

Gardening

I’ve also started an obsession with the garden, whilst it always been “nice” I’ve potted and planted around 25 new varieties of plants and flowers which are not starting to take shape! I’ve also invested in a sprinkler the rear lawn, electric hedges trimmers, new lawnmower, garden hoover, and new garden furniture.

Keeping in touch

As some of you may know I’m a massive socializer so being in lockdown has been difficult to adjust not being able to go to the pub for a few beers, into Leeds for a spot of lunch on a weekend or popping to David Lloyd for a game of tennis or a spin class! Whilst exercise has taken a bit of back seat I have been out running a few times a week to keep mentally focussed as well as going for weekend walks with the Mrs.

Instead of going for a few drinks on a Friday with colleagues or friends my Friday nights now consist of catching with friends and associates on Houseparty and Facetime. I’ve only recently been using filters on facetime which can be absolutely hilarious give them go!

Joe Sanderson

Staying sane during lockdown has been tough, particularly with two kids under 4 in the house, but one of the main things that have helped me maintain a good mental state has been regular exercise. I’ve had to swap the gym for home workouts and running, but I’ve run around 100km in lockdown and luckily, I have some weights at home, so I’m keeping my exercise routine as normal as it can be.

Although it’s challenging sometimes, one of the best bits of all this has been getting some more time with my 3 year and 12-week old daughters, where my breaks would normally involve a trip to the office kitchen, they now involve nipping downstairs for a cuddle and 5 minutes of make-believe with my eldest’s favourite toys. Sometimes my 3-year-old and I go on an ‘adventure’ to the park at lunchtime, with tree climbing like Mowgli (she loves the jungle book) and going on a bear hunt, which I wouldn’t ever get to do Monday-Friday if this wasn’t going on. I think making the most of the (few) benefits of all this is a big factor in staying happy right now.

I’ve also lost over half a stone in lockdown and I’m convinced it’s because I’ve swapped beer for gin – every cloud!

Meagan Stobart

I have been keeping myself busy by doing exercise, watching a new series/film on Netflix/Disney+, learning something new or just having a virtual catch up with friends and family.

I did set myself a challenge in April to walk at least 2 miles per day, which definitely helped to keep me sane. I also absolutely LOVE Marvel/Disney films, so Disney+ has been a lifesaver and usually watch a film on an evening (I definitely recommend Guardians of the Galaxy) and I also found a passion for origami – it gets extremely addictive!!!

Lewis Horwell

So unlike many, I’ve weirdly enjoyed some of this lockdown, despite the fact I’m desperately missing seeing Grimsby Town getting beat every weekend and not being able to go to the pub. Like most I’ve taken up running, shaving 4 minutes off my 5k time and even throwing a couple of 10k’s in there on my way to 150km covered in 6 weeks.

I’ve also decided the roll back the years and bought Call of Duty for my Xbox, despite some torrid abuse from young American children I’m getting the hang of it. My girlfriend seems impressed with the purchase, although I haven’t seen her since she popped out for milk 11 days ago. I’ve also become quite the quiz champion, winning 6 out of 8 quizzes I’ve entered (but who’s counting??).

My challenge for you is for all those who are yet to do a 5k, get the running trainers on, and see if you can run it in under 30 mins!

Katie Menzies

I have been so grateful for the time I have gained in quarantine – I left home when I was 18 & went straight from university to work so I have never had 6 weeks at home with my parents! Feel like I’ve been on my school holidays (just with a day job!).

Since being back my mum and I have been doing a 30-minute work out every day from 7:45 am we started with PE with Joe, and now are onto Chloe Ting (no equipment needed work out – killers!).  I found it so important to have a day structure, and even a day structure planning what we would be eating every night at the start of the week stopped me from eating badly and gave me things to look forward to (Fajita night on Thursday is my fave!!).

After dinner every single night I have made the most of my 1 hour a day getting out of the house and have been going on a walk with my parents, which is time we would never ever usually spend together. During my weekends I am in full-on pamper mode, I’ve had a biweekly hair cut (thank god for living with a hairdresser) and I have done facials, eyebrows, nails sessions to make sure I am feeling tip-top during quarantine!

For me, the thing I have tried to always keep at the front of my mind is I may never ever get this length of time with my family again, so appreciate every moment! Even the moment when Dad’s asking me what his email password is for the 27 times that day!! AND not to forget all the baking Mum and I have been doing!! Angel cakes, brownie, scones, Cracknell, Fairy cakes.. you name it! We’ve cooked it  Appreciating home-cooked meals, and home-cooked treats because in real-time you’d think it’d be so much easier to get a takeaway but eating properly over the last 6 weeks have helped massively.

Throughout may I will be returning to Liverpool once the hard quarantine is lifted. So a challenge to myself is to continue with my 30 min work out in the morning, and continue with an evening walk.  Start & end my day with time to myself!