If you’ve been battling to stave off boredom in lockdown, it’s time to find a creative outlet. Why? Because being creative is fun, it helps to stimulate your brain, and it’s a great escape from the negative news cycle. Here’s a look at four activities to try in lockdown – who knows, you might just discover a new creative passion.

Just dance
Learning a dance routine is a great way to burn off some steam, both physically and creatively. And it doesn’t matter whether you’re light on your feet or you have two left feet, the idea is to move your body and have fun. Find a YouTube tutorial you’d like to tackle, clear a space in your room or living room, and get moving!

Start writing
Always wondered whether you have a novel in you? Writing is a fantastic creative outlet and it can take many forms, from poetry and fiction to blogging or journaling. You probably have more time on your hands at the moment, so why not get started? If you’re in need of some inspiration, have a look at some of the courses, forums and writing prompts available online. 

Get baking
There’s something incredibly satisfying about whipping up the perfect banana bread, creating light, fluffy scones, or making a tray of buttery, melt-in-your-mouth biscuits. If you’re new to baking, why not start with some easy family favourites before trying your hand at more challenging recipes – there are hundreds of thousands to choose from online.

Make music
Got a guitar gathering dust in the corner of your study or a piano that nobody’s used in years? If you’ve always wanted to learn an instrument but haven’t got around to it, now’s as good a time as any to start. Look for one or two easy songs that you’d like to learn, find an online tutorial to follow, and just keep at it.