Atherstone 'living virtually' through coronavirus: It's not quite Fifty Shades of Grey but here's 50 ways to beat lockdown blues

WOULD ONLINE PUB CRAWLS FROM THE CLOCK TO THE OLD SWAN RATE MORE HIGHLY THAN WATCHING A NEW TV SERIES OR HAVING A GROUP CALL WITH THE FAMILY?

ATHERSTONE, like the rest of the nation, may be under something akin to house arrest but three weeks into coronavirus restrictions and the population is having to adapt to "virtual living" for enjoying its missing favourite pastimes.

Pub crawls might well top a local list of online activities that could include live meditation sessions, music concerts and even visits to the zoo.

Would watching a new TV series online come ahead of a group call with relatives?

It may not be quite as stimulating as reading 50 Shades of Grey but a study of 2,000 adults has come up with 50 ways of beating lockdown blues.

To beat the frustrations of regime unimagined at the beginning of 2020, many people have gone way beyond conference calls, keep fit sessions and online pub quizzes to break the boredom.

Lockdown has forced us to find inventive ways of connecting online, such as group cooking sessions, art classes and wine tasting.

Despite being stuck at home, more than a fifth are exercising more than ever, with one in 10 taking part in live classes online.

Other popular activities to do 'virtually' include watching Instagram concerts, having music lessons, enjoying a cup of tea or coffee with a friend or imaging yourself at the bar of any one of the town's established hostelries – former CAMRA pub of the year The Angel, the Market Tavern, the Old Swan, The Black Horse, The Clock or lunch and a hot drink at the Kings Head.

Hyperoptic, the UK's largest Gigabit full fibre provider, commissioned the research.

Charles Davies, MD ISP, Hyperoptic, said: "Living virtually is a big change for everyone of all ages, but it's great to see Brits are maintaining a work life balance, continuing to take part in hobbies, trying new things and enjoying their social lives.

"We are committed to help people stay connected, at the time when they need it the most.

"All aspects from school and work to dating and exercising have been affected but reliable connectivity allows people to still live their lives - just in a slightly different way."

The study also found more than half of those polled feel they have adapted very well to living virtually and 44 per cent have used the internet for shared experiences since the Covid-19 crisis began.

And a third were pleased they can still enjoy the majority of their hobbies in a different way, such as going to the gym or pub quiz nights.

Of the parents polled, more than two thirds have tried to maintain a normal school routine for their children, with many turning to the internet for help as they become teachers.

A third have used live PE lessons online to help educate their child, while four in 10 have turned to YouTube for educational content.

A fifth have even gone on virtual 'day trips' using real-time footage of places such as aquariums.

And four in five admitted they are glad there are a lot of online resources for home schooling children.

Similarly, 57 per cent couldn't imagine not having the internet during this time and more than half would be bored without connection.

A further 59 per cent think it's 'vital' to have a good broadband connection currently and

communicating with others more than they did before, with three in 10 more encouraged to talk rather than text.

One in eight are having calls with friends and family as often as every day, with a fifth using Facetime.

Almost four in 10 are likely to send social media messages while almost a quarter opt for Whatsapp video.

Popular topics being discussed when they do catch up virtually included the current news (47 per cent), their mood (30 per cent) and exercise (12 per cent).

But it's not just our communication with friends and family which has changed as a quarter have adapted to the way they talk to colleagues while working from home.

More than half say they are sending more emails, while four in 10 have seen an increase in video conferencing and 37 per cent have experienced more group calls.

And two fifths of those polled, via OnePoll, said it's important to communicate regularly with others while living virtually.

Top etiquette 'rules' for video conferencing were found to be limiting background noise,

1. Watched a new TV series online
2. Placed an online shop
3. Had a group call with relatives
4. Had a group video call with friends
5. Played an online game e.g. Scrabble
6. A live exercise class
7. Read an online magazine
8. Had a cup of tea or coffee with a friend via a video call
9. Followed a DIY tutorial
10. Made a playlist
11. Sang happy birthday to someone on a video call
12. A live 'pub quiz' via the internet
13. Played a group video game
14. Watched a TV show with others present on the internet
15. Followed tidying hacks
16. Watched a live cooking tutorial
17. Played a game via a video call with others e.g. Scrabble
18. A meditation session
19. Watched a TED talk
20. A baking tutorial
21. Read a bedtime story to a younger relative
22. A live yoga session
23. Had a 'trip to the zoo' via a live stream
24. Watched an Instagram live 'concert'
25. Had a 'night out' with friends e.g. drinks and music on a group call
26. Played online bingo with others
27. Had a movie night with others present on the internet
28. A tutor lesson
29. Had a takeaway night via a video call
30. Streamed a theatre performance
31. Had a date night e.g. ate a meal or played a game with your partner via a video call
32. Followed a hair tutorial
33. Had a brunch date with friends/relatives
34. An Xbox tournament
35. Had a family dinner with relatives who live elsewhere
36. Followed a makeup tutorial
37. Cooked a meal with others via a video call
38. Had a dance lesson
39. Had a guitar lesson
40. Thrown a birthday 'party'
41. Had a book club meeting
42. Streamed an opera show
43. A live art class
44. Sang in a group choir
45. Had a drum lesson
46. Virtual 'pub crawl'
47. Dog training lessons
48. A wine tasting session
49. Witnessed a live funeral
50. Witnessed a live wedding