How to avoid becoming bored during lockdown

WITH less chance to get out, to meet people, to attend such places as shops and places of pleasure such as cafes, theatres and parks, how does one avoid mental stress and strain and being completely bored?

We have the phone and that has played a part in helping to keep in touch with friends and family.

There is television, of course, but there’s a good chance you will have already seen a lot of programmes which are being repeated.

During your lives you will have attained various interests and hobbies and there is a chance, especially if you cannot go to work, to continue or develop these interests.

The likes of writing, taking photos, painting and gardening are all suddenly given unlimited time. It has been very noticeable how spruce people’s gardens and houses have been looking in the past months.

One very pleasant result has been getting to know the people in your area better and indeed making new friends, just in casual meetings from gardens or on walks.

There are also the wonderful carers, nurses, doctors and specialists dealing with all the extra problems.

They, on the other hand, have less or no time to deal with what I have mentioned and will no doubt be behind in their homes.

Personally, we have had a death in our circle of friends and a birth in our family, with little or no opportunity to welcome her.

Times are gradually changing again and such values as patience, common sense, understanding and unselfishness have been – and still are – our best “friends”.

Mike Ross, Wigston