Try these seven isolation hacks if you’re alone this Christmas

Covid positive and facing Christmas alone? We've got some ideas.

Well this is all getting a bit weird isn't it? Covid looms once again, and it seems we're getting the gift of déjà vu this Christmas. But unlike last year when we were under Boris' lock and key and told not to mix households, this year the PM is carrying blithely on as if record-breaking Covid cases haven't been recorded these past few days. Perhaps he's been busy preparing the cheese and wine for the Tory Christmas party like he was last year. Just when we were thinking the pandemic might be over, an estimated 1 million people will be going through isolation together this Christmas. Merry Christmas... But don't fret, team JOE has come up with a handful of hacks to help you though the season of goodwill from your isolation - even if you're forced to spend it alone. Try these happiness hacks this Christmas.

Make exciting plans for when this shit is over

[caption id="attachment_306803" align="alignnone" width="2048"] Get prepared for your return (Photo: iStock)[/caption] "A really great way to improve your mood is to give yourself something to look forward to - even if it's way into the future, like a day trip in March," says Professor Sophie Scott, Director of the Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience at UCL tells JOE. And she urges: "You get as much enjoyment from anticipating something as you get from reflecting back on it." Travel is still tricky and exhausting to think about, so book something uplifting on home turf. Tickets are available now for the Six Nations rugby. Games are being held at stadiums in Cardiff, London and Edinburgh between February 5 and March 19 and tickets are on sale now. Gig-wise, modern rock 'n' roll pin-ups and indie legends The Libertines are back on tour. There are UK dates running through to the end of February across the country. This whole situation is so crazy that, let's face it, sometimes you've just got to laugh. And stand-up comic Romesh Ranganathan goes on tour in January right the way through until June. There are dates across the country and tickets are also on sale now. [caption id="attachment_306811" align="alignnone" width="1367"] Tickets to Romesh are on sale now (Photo: Getty)[/caption] Fancy a festival but don't want to wait until summer? LGBTQ knees-up Mighty Hoopla returns this January 28, with a big line-up of pop. Throw back to 1950s beachfront glamour by staying on site at Butlin's, where the festival is held. Artists performing include The Venga Boys, Artful Dodger, Charlotte Church and late night cabaret-drag performers, Sink The Pink. Plus, there's an on site swimming pool if blustery beachfront walks don't quite make you feel like you're on holiday in the Med.

Live like it's 2020 with an online party

https://www.instagram.com/p/CXJn7NsIWQE/ It's nothing like the real thing, but partying online was surprisingly more fun that it sounded during the lockdowns. Keep an eye on social media for more online streaming parties to be announced any day now, given how many people are locked down. So far, the only one that's been announced is Queer House Party's "URL/IRL" rave. It's raising money to support refugees in Calais, and features live cabaret and drag performers, which go on, online, until 4am New Year's Day. Tickets are available now.

Head to the beach, or the British Museum or Edinburgh Zoo

[caption id="attachment_306903" align="alignnone" width="2048"] This could be you. Virtually. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images)[/caption] Thanks to live webcams, anything's possible. Try watching the pandas, tigers, penguins, koalas or lions, live from Edinburgh zoo. Swat up on our nation's history by finally making it round the British Museum. Or flee this land by heading to San Diego to visit the beach. You can't quite get the rays in but you can people watch, which is kind of what you do on the beach anyway, so nearly as fun.

Watch the best Christmas TV before your mates

[caption id="attachment_248962" align="alignnone" width="1000"] Spitting Image returns for a Christmas special (Photo: ITV/Britbox)[/caption] Get in early on the conversation around the best Christmas TV by actually watching it live. The big-hitters this festive season include new BBC drama A Very British Scandal, about the notorious divorce of the the Duke and Duchess of Argyll which rocked Britain in the 1960s (Just ask your grandparents.) If it's predecessor A Very English Scandal is anything to go by, this'll be well worth a watch on Boxing Day evening at 9pm on BBC One. Into political satire? Iconic satirical show Spitting Image returned last year with brand new puppets, including a heavily-criticised one of Marcus Rashford. There's a new Christmas special that'll help you out of your Covid slumber with big laughs. Christmas Eve at 10pm. Missing the round-the-table dinner vibes? The cast of Channel 4 hit drama It's A Sin head into the Bake Off tent for the Christmas special, on Channel 4 on Christmas Day at 8pm.

Do these workouts to release those sweet sweet endorphins

[caption id="attachment_306815" align="alignnone" width="2048"] Make the most of the space you've got (Photo: iStock)[/caption] If it's a case of "jog on, Joe" after spending the first lockdowns with Joe Wicks, switch things up with Mark Wright's home workouts. They can be slightly more challenging than Joe's, but of course, just do what you can. He has great banter and plays pumping dance music to keep you in the mood to exercise. It can be hard to find the motivation when locked in, but just try to remember the feeling you'll get afterwards. Honestly, it's science: if you feel up to it, you will feel better after doing a little workout. Even if it's a case of starting small and just doing ten or fifteen minutes of jogging on the spot, sit-ups and gentle squats. Have a super tiny bedroom you're confined to with lockdown? Former rugby player Phil Mackenzie has this workout suited to any type of space - even that teeny tiny gap next to your bed.

Make your home or bedroom cosier than ever

Turn to TikTok for home deco inspiration. Now's the time more than ever to make your bedroom cosy now you've got so much time to spend hanging out in it. Simple things work: as the video below shows, changing the lighting and doing a quick tidy really can make a big difference. And it can be done without needing to leave the home. Which is lucky, really... https://www.tiktok.com/@happyvibes045/video/6823106293704805637?is_copy_url=1&is_from_webapp=v1&q=how%20to%20make%20my%20room%20cosy&t=1639664247977

And finally, give dinnertime a glow-up

Repeat after us: you deserve a Christmas dinner even though you're stuck in isolation. It's your right. So order everything online from a food delivery service and follow the video below to make a Christmas dinner without the faff. It's easier than you'd ever imagine. We promise. https://www.tiktok.com/@bristol_su/video/7039738635687677189?is_copy_url=1&is_from_webapp=v1&q=how%20to%20make%20Christmas%20dinner%20&t=1639664900755