Two thirds of locked-down Brits want to have ‘achieved’ something by the time they’re allowed back out into the world.
A study of 2,000 adults found 16 per cent will learn how to grow vegetables, a quarter will master another language – and a tenth will become press-up champions.
More than 60 per cent are planning – or have already started – a regime of self-improvement while forced to stay at home. Other skills people want to tackle include sorting out their finances, learning an instrument and becoming a star baker. And for 32 per cent of those who are normally ‘can’t cook, won’t cook’, they plan to use the time to tune up their skills in the kitchen.
One in 10 want to make sure they’re employable when the period of quarantine is over, by learning coding programmes such as Scratch or Python – and seven per cent even want to work out how to run their own small business.
A spokesman for Lottoland, which commissioned the research, said: “There are lots of positives to an enforced time spent indoors.
“During this unusual time, it would be so easy to give in to the bad mood, worry all day, and focus on all the things you can’t do.
“Instead, as this research clearly indicates, many adults are choosing to use the time wisely, and in a really encouraging way.”
Housebound Brits will also be getting into yoga, sorting out their garden, studying British history or researching their family tree. Eight in 10 adults say even though they’re missing out on the things they normally do, they’re still trying to make the best of it. As such, four in 10 are convinced they will come out of the current crisis ‘a better person’, according to the OnePoll research.
It’s not just grown-ups who are improving themselves, as six in 10 of parents polled are trying to get children to learn new skills. They’ll be put to use in the kitchen, learning how to clean the house and even helping with the growing of vegetables.
The majority of Brits (35 per cent) are cooped up in a household of two, with 15 per cent in a home with four people, and six per cent with five or more. But 46 per cent of respondents believe the coronavirus crisis has even brought their family closer together than they were before lockdown.
And just under two thirds think the nation as a whole shines during a time of crisis, and Britain comes together to get through whatever it’s facing.
Lottoland’s spokesman added: “As a nation, we could see ourselves better-rounded than ever before. “While Brits are determined to make the most of their time behind closed doors it seems they’re still on the move.
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Whether you’re embarking on a baking fail or attacking limescale, you can still bet on your favourite lotteries via the Lottoland app or on online.”
TOP WAYS BRITS INTEND TO ‘HOME IMPROVE’
- Learn to cook / bake
- Work out at home every day
- Learn a language
- Go on a diet
- Yoga
- Learn to grow vegetables
- Learn to garden
- Family tree research
- Master an instrument
- Take an online university course
- Learn to draw properly
- Read up on English history
- Learn to play new board games
- Learn to Facetime/video chat
- Learn how to cut your own hair
- Learn how to use mindfulness apps
- Take on expert level jigsaw puzzles
- Learn how to use social media apps such as Snapchat or House Party
- Learn how to do press ups
- Learn a coding / programming package like Scratch or Python
- Work out how to manage finances online
- Master painting/watercolours
- Learn to write a novel
- Learn how to upload YouTube videos
- Learn to colour in properly
- Learn how to run a small business
- Learn how to knit
- Learn to crochet
- Learn how to sew
- Learn how to make podcasts
- Learn how to play kid’s computer games
- Learn an online design / CAD package
- Learn higher maths
- Learn to type
- Learn to make cocktails / certain drinks
- Learn how to use a drill
- Learn to sing
- Plumbing
- Learn how to do keepie uppies
- Learn how to change a car tyre
