15 Things to do Instead of Drinking During Lockdown

As comfortable(ish) as I am in my sobriety now, being on lockdown has in some ways made me feel even more different than usual for being a non-drinker. My sober friends and I have all noticed an increase in the amount of time people are spending not only drinking, but also talking about drinking. It’s easy to get lost in the newsfeed full of craft beers and “quarantinis”, but when I actually think about it, I’m so pleased that I haven’t used this time to numb out my feelings or spend the mornings with a headache and hangover-anxiety. I’ve had a chat with my sober friends and for anyone who is struggling with how to spend their time during lockdown without venturing to the nearest off-license, these might be worth a try instead:


1. Read! This year my only new years resolution was to read more – and it’s probably the only new years resolution I’ve ever kept (so far). The beauty of reading is that you can literally be transported to another world and, once you get into it, it’s almost impossible to be bored. I’ll be compiling a list soon of some book recommendations, but if you’re struggling with sobriety at the moment then some “quit-lit” might be a good idea. Two of my favourites are “Blackout” by Sarah Hepola and “The Unexpected Joys of Being Sober” by Catherine Gray – two very different drinking stories and journeys but both definitely worth a read.


2. Draw. My partner and I both purchased sketch books and pencils and I’ve been trying to get into the habit of doing one sketch a day, usually of something random. There are art accounts on Instagram that set daily challenges of what to draw and you can send it to them for them to post on their story. I have most certainly NOT been sending mine to anyone, but it’s a nice idea.


3. Run a 5k. This one’s not for me but you guys should totes do it.


4. Bake. It’s pretty tricky getting hold of any flour at the moment as it seems like everyone’s had this idea, but if you do manage to find some then I highly recommend this. It’s an easy thing to start doing and the result is cake – what’s not to like?!


5. Do some colouring in. There are “grown up” colouring books online and in WH Smiths. It’s weirdly calming and satisfying.


6. Take a bath while listening to podcasts. I never really got into podcasts until I got sober (and subsequently had a lot more free time on my hands) but now I love them! One of my favourites is “Under the Skin” with Russell Brand. It’s not exclusively about sobriety but Russell has been sober for years and often discusses his own experiences with recovery on the podcast.


7. Play on a playstation or Xbox. I don’t have my own but I sometimes hijack my boyfriend’s.


8. Do something nice for an elderly neighbour. This can range from getting groceries for them or making them a surprise hamper, or anything else you think they might like! Doing something nice for others makes us feel good as well as the person we're helping.


9. Do an online dance class. Moving our bodies is so important at the moment, and such a good way to shake off any anxiety.


10. Go for a scenic walk and connect with nature. If you’re lucky enough to live in the countryside I’m sure you’ll be surrounded by picturesque walking spots. If you’re in the city, it might be a bit trickier but there’s usually somewhere local where you can get your nature fix.


11. Journal. I find writing about my feelings incredibly helpful.


12. Have a Harry Potter marathon day. Because who doesn’t love HP?!


13. Meditate. For years I rolled my eyes whenever someone told me to try meditation, but I find that if I do mindfulness meditations regularly, it helps keep my anxiety at a manageable level.


14. Cook something new. When we come out of lockdown we can all wow our families with our incredible new chef skills.


15. Volunteer. This one is only for people who are low risk – if you are high risk of catching Coronavirus please keep yourself safe at home! But for anyone who wants to keep busy and help out in the community, there are a range of volunteer programmes set up to help vulnerable people.