Top Picks For A Nice Buzz While In Lockdown

In no particular order:

1. Espresso, and/or plunger: being unable to go out to a café or bar has been difficult for me, as I am the type to get a coffee and hole up there to read/study/work for awhile. Having it at home is somehow less satisfying but still has ultimately the same effect, and either can be delivered via contactless delivery! Magical.

2. Coke Zero: look – I like Coke as much as the next person, but for some reason I prefer Coke Zero, and it’s what has been giving me that ~extra boost~ around 3pm without keeping me awake all night (but you may have to go to the supermarket or dairy to obtain it).

3. The Great Kiwi Songbook: although this doesn’t work as well if you’re trying to watch a Zoom lecture, it is an incredibly lit way to hype yourself up before doing so, or while doing an assignment. Also recommended as background music for an online party with friends. It’s available on Spotify and other streaming services.

4. A biscuit: we can argue all day long what the best biscuit is, but I refuse to back down on the fact that it is NOT the Lemon Crisp. The trick with this one, though, is to bring back the advent of morning tea – an incredible concept that sort of went out the window for me when I started having uni days beginning after 12pm. A biscuit and a warm drink around 10.30 makes study feel a bit less grim – add them to your grocery list (but please shop responsibly!)

5. Tea: wow, do I advocate for drinking a variety of liquids, but this one is special in that it can be decaffeinated if you want it to be (lol). There are some nice variety packs availabl;e at supermarkets and online – while I mostly drink black tea, a bit of fruit (and a bit less caffeine) can’t hurt anyone.

6. Banana: have you considered going outside and having a banana?

7. Puzzles: if I’m going to sit here and take 1.5 hours to eat breakfast, like a father having a mid mid-life crisis while clutching a newspaper and coffee in a 2000s Disney Channel TV epsiode, I’m going to do a crossword at the same time. There are plenty online, as well as apps that have this and other similar puzzles to do while on a break.

8. Baking/cooking: if you have the means, and also have gold flour at a time when it is difficult to find, baking can be a nice way to relax. Cooking is more necessary but that doesn’t mean it comes without an attached buzz – trying and nailing a new recipe is always a good thing to be doing.