MERNIE GILMORE

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From frantically schooling the kids to trying to work from home on the kitchen table while your other half conducts noisy conference calls, lockdown has been fraught for so many families thrown together 24/7 these last few months.

And everyone being under the same roof for so long with no respite will have doubtless caused friction in relationships at times. Here, wellbeing expert Sid Madge reveals easy ways to reconnect with your loved ones.

One of the simplest ways to increase proper, relaxed family time is to ensure you all share a meal together and chat.

So commit to doing this at least three times a week to start with – totally techfree with no phones or tablets at the table as distractions. It might feel odd at first but stick with it.

We should all create a bucket list to ensure we do the things that matter to us all as a family before the chance is gone. So take a few minutes to sit down with everyone and chat about what you want to do, see or experience as a family? Where would you like to visit? What would you like to learn together? Think of it as your family’s best-life list.

Being a tourist every day is about doing new things and meeting new people while discovering fresh ideas and ways of looking at the world. So take a minute to be a tourist in your own life and view it through different eyes. Rate the various aspects of your life – family, friends, work, finances, health and love, as you would a holiday destination on TripAdvisor. What feedback would you leave for each? What needs to change? Commit to those changes today.

Values are the beliefs, thoughts, words, actions and habits that determine our individual and collective behaviour.

They influence our choices and direct our thinking. Yet most of us have never really thought about our values or what they might be. Often the first time we become aware of them is when we are angry about something, when someone has said or done something contrary to what we believe.

Make some family rules based on these values. Create a poster or stick them on the fridge so everyone is reminded of them on a daily basis.

We used to have photo albums to instantly transport us back to family parties or holidays. Today we have social media or hundreds of photos on our phone that we never look at.

But what about the silly things we said as kids or the funny stories from that camping holiday? At the time, we are so sure we’ll remember them, but often we don’t. Stop memories disappearing by starting a family journal. Get everyone to record their memories.

Take a minute to consider which story you would add to the journal. Review it as a family a couple of times a year and enjoy the memories again.

Family traditions are something children can count on. They are reassuring and comforting. Traditions aren’t just about holidays and special occasions, they can be about any event.

Perhaps you always curl up on the sofa with a bag of crisps to watch your favourite TV show every week. Or why not start ‘Super Saturday’ once a month, where you take turns to decide on a fun family activity such as laser quest or hill walking.

Once your children get older, let them come up with their own traditions.

Write short notes to your kids and partner. Leave them in unexpected places, such as a book they are reading, or in their packed lunch. Sincerity is the key. When you think of something loving and positive about your partner or child, or when you see them struggling at work or school, leave a little note to remind them how much they are loved and supported. This is also a great idea after an argument, to remind them you may not always agree on things but you will always care about them.

Take time to consider people outside your family and how you could help them. It will allow everyone to think about how lucky they are and helping others will make you all happier.

Invite each family member to write down things that worry them about the world to find a cause you all believe in. Then find a local volunteer group. There are lots that stage clean-ups on beaches, or why not help at your local food bank?

Some families are more affectionate than others, but there is always room in every family for more hugs. Research shows a hug causes the brain to release bonding hormone oxytocin. A hug can ease loneliness, help us sharing feelings, build self-esteem and offer comfort. Studies show it can slow down ageing and curb appetite. A hug can make a good day better and a bad day easier.

We’re all big kids at heart, so find time to play. Play the games you loved as a child such as Monopoly, Kerplunk, Uno or snap. Try quiz games like Trivial Pursuit or take on a family Lego project. Make it a monthly event and don’t just play board games or card games. If there is an Xbox or PlayStation in the house, form teams for tournaments. Playing together is a great antidote for stress.

Extracted by DEBBI MARCO from 60 Ways To Improve Your Family Life In 60 Secs by Sid Madge (£8, The Meee Global)

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Start a family journal and get everyone to record their memories for the future