We’ve now entered week 6 of lockdown in the UK and although I’m aware that many people are struggling, I have to admit I’m actually quite enjoying it. The biggest downsides are the inability to travel (even if only to the Lake District or Scotland) and the lack of social contact with friends and family (though Skype, Zoom and the likes are very useful). Apart from those limitations I have to say I’m feeling less stressed because there is more time for me to combine my job with housework, exercise and taking care of the pets.
Throughout these past weeks, I’ve managed to keep up a daily routine and it’s proven very useful. Instead of staying in bed longer now I don’t have to go to the office, I’m still getting up at 6am which allows me to get some exercise done in the morning, leaving plenty of time to sit down and do some work. When I need a break from work, I can get up and go for a quick dog walk or do some cleaning and then return to the laptop to continue working. I can go for a lunchtime walk, run or bike ride and do some more exercise late afternoon after I finish work. In addition, I’ve even found time to do things I never have any time for: reading, playing music (I’ve actually started learning how to play the guitar now the drum lessons are temporarily on hold) and like many others, I’ve taken up baking . . . and I’m baking a lot. In these past few weeks I’ve produced banana bread, brownies, muffins and carrot cake to only name a few. Of course that means there’s an extra need for exercise to burn off all those calories!
As my right knee has been playing up a little lately when I run (I think it’s because I had to give up swimming now the pools are closed), and the lockdown has resulted in the roads being a lot quieter, I’ve taken up cycling again alongside running and walking and I’m loving it! I love the feeling of freedom when I’m on the bike which is quite different from the feeling you get on a run, I love the fact that you can get a lot further in the same amount of time and it’s also so nice to see and feel the progress I’ve made in the past 6 weeks. From struggling with riding up hills (and I can tell you, it is hilly around here!) and post-ride saddle soreness, I’ve gone to managing those hills more easily, cycling faster and not feeling that sore at all. At the moment, I’m probably enjoying cycling more than running – not that I’ll be giving up on running any time soon, though, but I’ll definitely keep up cycling as well.
So yes . . . this lockdown situation is actually working quite well for me and I have to admit that in a way I’ll be a bit sad when the day comes we have to return to the office and I’ll be struggling again to fit everything I need/want to do into one day.
For those who are finding it difficult at the moment: it really isn’t all bad, try to see the upside as there is one for everyone. Don’t let the days go to waste but use them wisely. Try something new, do some of those things you’ve been wanting to do for ages but never had time for, start doing exercise if you haven’t already, make sure you do something that makes you happy and makes you feel better about yourself. Challenge yourself. This is a situation that probably will only happen once in our lifetime, don’t see it as a restriction, see it as an opportunity.
Confessions of a Running Freak 