Here are a few great ways to stay connected with your people during level 5 lockdown:

Send a letter

The art of letter writing is not lost! There’s something very special and timeless about receiving a letter in the post from a friend or loved one, particularly during these challenging times. If you have a book of stamps and some notebook paper lying around, now is a great time to put them to use. Swapping email and texting for putting pen to paper every once in a while might give you the space to express something you otherwise wouldn’t have; it’s also a chance to reach out to those more isolated or offer a personal word of thanks to the frontline workers in your life.

Video chat with friends and family

It’s something we may have taken for granted a year ago and only used sparingly to contact the people we know abroad. But video chatting has become a hugely valuable tool during the last couple of lockdowns, allowing us to check in with extended family we haven’t seen in a while, or connect with those we love and miss the most. If you haven’t already discovered them, apps like Zoom let you visually connect with multiple people at a time, are free to use for a certain amount of minutes, and are easy to set up on mobile or desktop; Skype and Whatsapp video have no time restrictions but are a little trickier to organise with, especially when you want to chat with a bigger group.

Indulge in the arts and get creative

We're all exhausted with the constant change in circumstances over the past year. But if you find yourself temporarily out of work again, or the kids out of school, try and find some positive activities to partake in that will give your mind and hands something to do. Shake the dust off the board games and have an evening of competitive fun with family. Take part in a poetry exchange via email with a few friends. Dance in the kitchen to your favourite tunes. Spend some time baking or experiment with those few extra ingredients left in the fridge. Dig up any arts and crafts materials you may have and start creating! What you make doesn't even have to look, taste or sound good. It’s all about how the act makes you feel in the moment, and if it alleviates boredom or takes your mind off the way of the world, all the better!

Go for a walk, jog or run if you can

Spending some time outdoors (abiding by the 5km radius restriction of course) is a great way to stay connected with your surroundings. You don’t need to be the sporty or outdoorsy type to enjoy getting out; taking a walk once or twice a day, at your own pace, can allow you to reflect or clear your head, as well as keeping you active at a time when the sofa has become our best friend. Challenge yourself to walk or run a certain distance each day, or simply enjoy taking in your surroundings.