15 ways to keep busy this May

April was undoubtedly the month that most us never expected to have, and at times, it’s been tough to take, there’s no doubt about that. With the lockdown looking likely to extend into May though, we’re here to keep your spirits up, your minds busy and your hearts content during what is of course a worrying, difficult and uncertain time in all of our lives.

Here are 15 suggestions of ways to keep busy this May, and make the most of the Scottish springtime in whatever way you can…

COMPLETE AN INSTAGRAM COOKALONG

There are so many of these to choose from at the moment, so grab your ingredients and get stuck in! An Instagram live cookalong is a great way to learn some new skills or finesse a recipe you might not have tried before, and then, of course, you get to enjoy it afterwards. We love the weekly ‘fakeaway’ cookalong with Gizzi Erskine and Professor Green, where they recreate your favourite takeaway dishes every Monday (think Wagamama’s, Nando’s, even a take on a doner kebab…) - or if you’re more into baking, try the sweet treat cookalongs with Bake Off alumni Frances Quinn.

Do a workout

Even if you’ve resisted up until now, six weeks at home with no exercise isn’t going to do any body any good. Get those limbs moving and the blood pumping, even for just 15 minutes here and there - there’s a huge range of online resources to help you get started and keep you motivated to stay fit and healthy during lockdown. The Nike+ app is particularly good, with video workouts for all levels, and fitness studio Frame does a brilliantly fun 80s-inspired aerobics workout on Instagram each week too. Edinburgh-based Tribe Yoga also has plenty of online yoga classes to join in with, perfect for stretching out after a long day on the sofa…

Bake some banana bread

Give into temptation and join the rest of social media in baking a loaf of banana bread at home - it’s a great way to use up overripe bananas and will make a snack the whole family will enjoy. We particularly like this recipe from Glasgow blogger Kate La Vie - delicious!

‘Make a meal of it’

TV presenter and supper club founder Laura Jackson started this hashtag (#makeamealofit) on Instagram, encouraging her followers to make the most of their time indoors, and treat every meal like a special occasion. That means using your best crockery or the fancy glasses, dressing the table with napkins and placemats, candles and flowers - whatever makes you feel good. Even if you’re tucking into a microwave meal, this technique is sure to make it feel Michelin-level.

Get involved in an online art club

There are also plenty of these to choose from! The most popular, and perfect for all the family, is Noel Fielding’s weekly Art Club, taking place on Saturday afternoons. Every Saturday, Noel and a celeb guest chooses a theme and a playlist to match, and encourages artists of all ages to get involved and get creative, with the entrants being shared on Noel’s social media feeds using the hashtag #NoelsArtClub. A brilliant way to keep the little ones busy, or burn off some creative energy yourself!

Learn a new makeup skill

Always wanted to learn how to do a cut crease, or perfect the art of contouring? Now’s your time! Work on those skills and once lockdown is over, show off the fruits of your labour!

Tidy out your wardrobe

…Or your cupboards, or your attic. Whatever needs decluttering, what better time to get it done? Consider what you can donate to charity too, as they will need your contributions when this is all over. Clean as much as you can before setting aside to donate too, it will be a huge help to the charities.

Enjoy a dance class

Workouts not your thing? No worries! Get active and have fun with an online dance class instead. We especially love the classes from Strictly favourite Oti Mabuse and her husband, which are incredibly fun and will teach you the basics of dances including the jive, the cha-cha and the Charleston.

Buy from a small business

It’s more important than ever to support small businesses, if you want to be able to shop from them once lockdown is over. Whether it’s a card, a book or a beauty product, every purchase helps. Remember to check out our Instagram for regular highlights of our favourite small Scottish businesses too.

host an indoor picnic

No garden? No problem! You can still enjoy a beautiful springtime picnic, even if you have to stay indoors. We say go the whole hog and #makeamealofit - pack your picnic basket, get some gingham on the table, throw the window wide open and enjoy a feast of sandwiches, snacks and sweet treats, even if it’s just at your kitchen table. Add an uplifting spring playlist to the mix and it’ll be just like being in the park!

perfect your tanning application skills

When this is all over and we can be outside again, we can bet that most of you are going to want to finally bust out your spring/summer wardrobe - with a gorgeous golden glow, of course. And in lieu of being able to go on holiday, there’s no better time to learn how to fake it. Use a mitt, a great product and long, sweeping strokes - and keep an eye on here, as we’ll be publishing our top tanning tips later in the month…

do something for charity

There’s something we can all do to support charities at the moment - whether that’s running a 5k, donating to a food bank or simply giving money where you can. You don’t have to run a marathon, or do 100 laps of your garden a la Captain Tom, but now, more so than ever, every little helps those around you during this difficult time.

Read a book you’ve always wanted to

Downtime on your hands? Now’s the time to buy that book you’ve always fancied reading, and get stuck into it - that’s an easy way to while away an afternoon!

Do an at-home mani/pedi

Nails looking a bit worse for wear? Keep them looking their best until you can get back to the nail bar, with a quick at-home mani/pedi. Our top tips from Scotland’s nail experts will help you get those talons looking perfectly polished.

make a vision board

There’s no doubt that lockdown will, for many of you, have provided you with lots of extra time to think about your life - whether that’s related to your career, your home, your hobbies or your family. So, if you’ve got renewed enthusiasm to get out and live life like never before, or this has finally been the push you needed to try something new, a vision board is a great exercise to keep you on track.

You just need a pin board or even a sheet of cardboard, and a pile of old magazines - the perfect thing to do with your back issues of Hood! - plus scissors and pins or glue. Simply cut out those pictures or headlines or captions that spark your imagination, that make you feel good, that match your vision for the rest of 2020 and beyond, and stick them to your board. Every time you feel down or shaky, take a look at it - we guarantee it will help you to feel more positive again.