1 Up and at it – what is your new morning routine? How has it changed?
My morning routine is to get up around 9-10am, wash, change into training/workout clothes and do some house cleaning before I do a workout, or go for a run. If there is no cleaning to be done (which is rare!) I just go straight to the workout before having breakfast and showering for the day. I wouldn’t say this routine has changed massively due to the lockdown, but it’s probably made me do more workouts than I may have done before. Working out has been a huge help to me, mentally, over the last few months.
2 What might you eat in a typical working day for...
Breakfast? For breakfast, I’d usually have porridge with honey and berries (from maybe around September to April) and then in the summer months I like cereal such as Special K.
Lunch? A salad or a chicken/tuna salad wrap or pitta pocket – and a wee, sweet thing afterwards.
Evening meal? I love home-made curry, chilli, tacos, flat breads and stir-fries, so my main meal of the day, would probably be one of those. I am a huge fan of spicy food.
3 Have you been able to work from home – if so, how have you found it?
I have been using my time at home writing new songs and practising my guitar – and trying to better myself at it. I’ve also been doing live Facebook/Instagram sessions which have been a fantastic way to continue interacting with my fans.
4 Best/easiest lockdown meal?
A tuna salad pitta pocket or spicy black bean tacos.
5 Weekend treat?
Does it have to just the weekend? I really love a nice, cold glass of Pinot Grigio or a lovely Malbec red, along with some chocolate and a Chinese takeaway meal.
6 How have you kept physically and mentally fit during lockdown?
I have tried to do at least some form of exercise every single day, whether it’s just going for a walk or doing a 20-minute HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) session. If I feel like doing something more difficult, I’ll do sprints or take myself off on a 5-10k run.
7 What is your daily outdoor exercise?
I really enjoy running, so I have been doing quite a lot of that over these last few months. I don’t mean marathons or anything like that, but even running 5k maybe three times a week has been a good challenge for me. Running has given me something to focus on and lifts my moods if I haven’t been feeling so positive.
8 How do you relax?
I only fully relax or switch off when I’m on a beach or beside the ocean. I love to get away on holidays to the sun as much as possible, or to my family holiday home in Donegal which is beside the beach. It’s my favourite place in the world.
9 Teetotal or tipple?
Wine or Prosecco.
10 What book are you currently reading? I’m in the middle of Only Time Will Tell by Jeffrey Archer. It’s the first book of his that I’ve read and I cannot put it down.
11 Best Netflix?
I’ve watched quite a few over the years, but I think my all-time favourite has to be Breaking Bad. I don’t think there has ever been a series with a more gripping storyline or better acting.
12 Most surprising thing you've learned about yourself?
I’ve actually learned through this lockdown period that I can have patience! I wouldn’t have had a lot of patience before now, with regards to my career and music, especially.
13 On a scale of one to 10, where have you been in relation to cabin fever and where are you now?
I think I have been up at around an eight to nine at times. It comes in waves: some days and weeks are good and productive and I’m feeling positive and others are a lot harder to get through because I’m missing family or friends so much.
14 What are the three things you miss most during lockdown?
My family, giving or receiving hugs and performing on tour. It's almost five months since I saw my family in person and it’s definitely been a long five months.
15 Where will you go and what will you do when all restrictions are lifted?
I will go and see my family – whether that means they come over to Ireland or I go home to Glasgow. That will definitely be the first thing I do as soon as it is safe to do so.
16 Biggest gripe?
Laziness and selfishness – I was brought up with the mindset of having to work hard to achieve your goals, so I don’t just expect everything to be easy. I get frustrated when other people expect things just to fall into their laps.
17 Have your priorities in life or perspectives changed?
I’ve definitely realised how easy it is to take so many things for granted. Even the smallest things I’ve missed, like going for a coffee with a friend, or being able to jump in the car and go to see someone and be closer to the people you love – without being two metres apart.
18 Any new skills or hobbies?
I have really enjoyed reading a lot more over the last few months.
19 What would you like to see change for good when this is all over?
I really hope that we all (myself included) continue to remember not to take so much for granted and to appreciate and enjoy life to the fullest.
20 Has coronavirus changed your attitude towards your own mortality?
It’s definitely made me realise how fragile life can be and how things can literally change in an instant. None of us are invincible, even if we may think we are. I think this entire experience has been a major eye-opener for the whole world.
:: Lisa's current single You're Gonna Get Back Up is available now. More information at facebook.com/LisaMchughOfficial
