How we’re getting through Lockdown 2

The first shutdown of the country saw us gaining weight, drinking too much and feeling the mental strain. Here, seven experts reveal how they’ll stay fit and healthy this time around

THE GP

Professor fessor Dame Clare Gerada, former head ead of the Royal College of GPS

If I learnt nt anything from the first lockdown, wn, it’s that working from home full-time ll-time is far too isolating. As we enter ter this second stage, I will make sure e I continue to go in.

Last time, me, food became the main focus of my y day. And although I’m not a big drinker, rinker, I was drinking more than I should. I went from walking 15,000 000 to 20,000 steps a

I went from walkingg 15,000 to 20,000 steps a day to about 2,000

day to about 2,000. 00. The result of all this was I gained half a stone. I won’t make the sam same meme mistakemistk mistake thi this time. My husband nd anda and I are drawing up a list of f films we’d like to watch, so perhaps haps ps I can make this my focus.

The fact I have alre already eady had coronavirus has made e me less anxious about it. I’m ma a glass half-full person, and nd I knowk know I can and will get through h thi this. his.

Prof Gerada is editor r of Beneathb Beneath the White Coat: Doctors, Their Thei eir Minds and Mental Health, out nowno now THE PERSONAL TRA TRAINER AINER Matt Roberts s

In the last lockdown, I spent pent my days running like a maniac; c; the traffic was so quiet in London ndon th that hat it was hard not to take advantage vantage of f the empty streets. I’m working rking 12-hour days at the moment, nt, training back-to-back sessions. ions. I don’t think this will change ge much this month.

One thing I will be changing ging is how much news I consume. The first time around, I watched the news avidly and read everything hing I could to find out more about coronavirus. I had nights where ere my sleeping pattern was majorly disturbed. Sometimes, I would d wake up at 4am and not be able e to fall back asleep.

Now, I read the main headlines es and move on with my day.

I’ll be using the longer evenings ngs to carry on with some of the creative writing I started in the first lockdown, and spend time reading. I’m also planning on listening to a lot of podcasts. They’re great at seeing me through my 10k runs and bike rides.

THE NUTRITIONAL THERAPIST Amelia Freer

In the March lockdown, I think I (like many others) drank a little more than I usually would. Not to excess, but I enjoyed a glass or two of rosé wine most evenings with supper, whereas normally I would have mostly alcohol-free days in the week. However, I have found increasingly that alcohol affects my sleep and mood and since giving it up completely in October, I have noticed lots of benefits. I’m going to stay alcohol-free this time.

I’ll be going outside every single day, even if just for a few minutes, and even if it’s raining.

I have bought a load of compost. I find planting seeds a sign of eternal hope. It’s a concrete action that reminds me that good times are coming in the future.

I’ll be arranging video call dates on a regular basis and going for walks with friends, so I’ve got something social to look forward to. I have just got a pile of notecards to send some old-fashioned post to friends and family.

Amelia Freer’s The Joy of Healthy Eating with Create Academy is £127; createacademy.com/amelia-freer

THE SEPTUAGENARIAN Angela Rippon

For me, staying physically fit is the easy bit. Every morning, as soon as I get up, I do a series of stretches – a bit of yoga, a bit of ballet, a bit of pilates – and I’m a keen power walker.

I’ve finished most of my filming for the year, so now that I’ll have more time on my hands, I’m looking forward to pottering in my garden and getting my bike out whenever I want to.

If nothing else, you can just put some music on and bop around the house, because you don’t have to be anywhere at a particular time.

I’ve lived on my own for so long, I’m used to my own company and it suits me.

I’ll be ringing and video calling someone every day, especially friends who are on their own, and volunteering with charities to help isolated people.

You’ve got to look for the positives – coronavirus is going to be with us for a while, and we have to say this won’t destroy our lives.

THE INFLUENCER Joe Wicks

During the first lockdown, most of my time and energy was focused on PE With Joe.

I’m going to use this lockdown to be more present with my family. I’m working on less screen time per day and prioritising my sleep. I’m not much of a reader, but I would love to read a bit more.

Personally, I did feel down when the new measures were announced and I talked very openly about how this affected my mental health.

For me, the best thing anyone can do to boost their mood and energy is to exercise. So I’ll be sharing three new workouts a week until lockdown is over, however long that takes.

Joe Wicks’s new workouts will be available every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 6am on his Youtube channel

Interviews by Maria Lally, Alice Hall, Chloe Lambert and Rosa Silverman

THE AGE AGEING EXPERT

James Go Goodwin, professor in the physiology of ageing at Loughborough University

Being Bein ing forced to self-isolate opens op up p opportunities for activities activitie that are ar exceptionally beneficial for f the brain. b Meditation, for example, examp quietens down an area of the th brain called the “default mode network” n and prevents the mind wandering. wa

It doesn’t need to be formal fo meditation – for me it’s walking w our dog, Amber. I insist on walking her alone so I can think: exercise generates new ne cells in the brain, but most of o them will die unless you do something so with them.

I also maintain friendships f religiously – I max ma out on Zoom, Facetime, social media, I write letters and emails emai and phone people. Research Resear shows that prolonged isolation isol damages the brain’s chemistry chemi and structure by shrinking vit vital parts of it, such as the amygdala. amygda Though virtual communication communic may not replace the warmth warmt of company, anything that maintains main our social connections connecti is beneficial.

To look loo after your brain during this period, per take exercise, learn a new activity ac – the more demanding dema the better – and eat meals meal rich in omega 3s (fatty fish) and vitamin B6 (found in grassfed beef, red bell peppers, sweet sw potatoes). Taking part in artistic ar activity or just looking at art a will alter your brain chemistry and increase well-being.

Finally, engage in sexual activity as frequently as you can. Almost any kind of sexual activity has been shown to benefit brain function and many researchers have shown that the more the sex, the better it is for the brain. A not unwelcome message!

Prof Goodwin’s new book Supercharge Your Brain will be published in March (Transworld)

THE COOK

Melissa Hemsley

Last lockdown, I was too hard on myself. I would force myself to keep working when in reality I needed a duvet day. This time, I’m trying to remember that it’s not the end of the world if I delay a deadline by a day, or log off for a few hours to have some breathing space.

I’ve started keeping a basket at the end of my sofa, which I call my “feel-good” box. Inside, I’ve got cosy socks, hoodies, blankets and a hot water bottle. Whenever I’m missing my mum, or feeling low, I know I can reach into it for some instant comfort.

I’ve started switching my phone off on Sundays

I also will continue to support my community – sharing food or cupboard goods with my local food bank or via apps like Olio. I’m optimistic that lockdown will be over in time for Christmas, but have visualised a scenario in case I have to spend it apart from my family – we could go to a virtual mass and eat together on Zoom or Facetime. That’s helped me come to terms with the prospect.

As much as I love connecting with people virtually, I’ve made a promise to spend more time offline. I’ve started switching my phone off on Sundays, which I already feel so much better for. Now, I want to try to keep it off on Saturdays, too.

I also think it’s important to try to impose some boundaries with the person you live with. My boyfriend loves watching the news and has it on 24/7, whereas I prefer to have some space from it. Slowly, we’re learning to balance these dynamics.