Isolation Station: Double Time

Lucy Patchett gives us an insight into both of her isolation periods spent in Cambridge, and the recipes, exercise and mindful activities that got her through

Lucy Patchett

"Who else had a bet that they would be in isolation before term had even started?"Lucy Patchett

Who else had a bet that they would be in isolation before term had even started? Same. And there we were, day one of term, incarcerated to one floor of our building for the next two weeks - gazing lovingly outside in the same way I looked at my cheesy chips last term. While the novelty of this at the time was refreshing, to then be faced with a second round of isolation in under 6 weeks was definitely a smack in the face. As the cause of our first isolation period was my positive test result, and now, as I sit here due to someone else’s positive result, I have been on both ends of the spectrum.

Exercise

“It’s massively underestimated how positively exercise can impact mental welfare”

Without attending supervisions and lectures in the flesh, it’s easy to pass over the fact that we’re simply not moving as much as we were. As much as I love my watch, when it tells me I’ve barely moved all day and not to worry because ‘there’s still time for a brisk walk to burn some calories!’, it doesn’t particularly motivate me. Despite the barrier of limited space and, for those of us in isolation, potentially not being able to get outside, it’s still important to keep the body moving. It’s massively underestimated how positively exercise can impact mental welfare and, to quote an iconic film, “Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don’t shoot their husbands, they just don’t”. So, while channelling my inner Elle Woods, I’d encourage anyone to have a look online for quick and basic workouts for whatever takes your fancy (you can find loads on Instagram!).

Food

"Meal times are a great template for creating a routine"Lucy patchett

It’s very easy to trudge on through with lockdown, snacking all day and not really thinking much about food. But meal times are a great template for creating a routine and I would recommend cooking and eating with a friend when you can, whether it be on FaceTime or with one of your housemates. Being in isolation has definitely revealed some cuisine atrocities in my household (including ‘pesto pasta a la pan’ and ‘pasta a la ketchup’…), and for all of you out there who are in the same category, I tempt you with Vodka Penne.

"Parmesan can be added for cheesy goodness too"Lucy patchett

You will need: penne, vodka, passata, garlic, basil, red onion, pancetta/bacon, double cream, tomato puree, parmesan (optional) and olive oil. Recipe serves 2 people.

  1. 8-10 bacon rashes cut down into 1cm sections in a pan with olive oil.
  2. Chop up a red onion and garlic and whack it in the pan (onion before the garlic).
  3. When the bacon and garlic are browning nicely, add two capfuls of vodka and mix.
  4. Stir in a teaspoon of tomato puree.
  5. Circle the pan with one loop of passata and mix it in.
  6. Salt your water and start cooking the pasta - when it’s aldente it’ll be ready to add to the pan.
  7. Slowly pour in the cream - same as the passata. Mix and ensure that the cream amalgamates properly with the sauce. This can be added to your liking on how creamy you want the sauce!
  8. Bring the heat down really low - when the sauce has thickened enough, take it off of the heat while you wait for the pasta to cook - it’s important to not burn the cream.
  9. Chop up the basil saving two leaves for garnish at the end.
  10. Put the pan back on the heat, drain the pasta (saving about half a cup of the water) and put both the pasta and the water in the pan.
  11. Turn the heat back up and stir it round. Try and shimmy the pan back and forward with one hand and stir with the other to emulsify the sauces.
  12. Have a taste and add anything else to to the pan according to your preference (probably salt, pepper and a splash of olive oil). Put the ribbons of basil in last minute and mix it round.
  13. Take it off the heat to plate up and garnish with the basil leaves - parmesan can be added for cheesy goodness too.

VOILA: Check out @swoodfood on Instagram for more delicious recipes!

Ideas

“StudentStretch connects all students through yoga and mindfulness with the self-explanatory tag line ‘Stretch to De-stress’”

Isolation and COVID-19 unearth different opinions among friends and they inevitably raise tensions, particularly within a household. I’ve already mentioned the value of a routine and this is definitely key in not making the days drag on. But at the same time, it’s important to not see these days as time that simply must pass by. No one wants to get to the end of term and not really have any memories to take from it. A lot of us only have 9 terms here - one has already been taken from us so we must make the most out of our time here as much as we can, no matter what the restrictions.

StudentStretch connects all students through yoga and mindfulness with the self-explanatory tag line ‘Stretch to De-stress’. There are livestream classes every day on Zoom and a bank of on demand classes always at your fingertips. With the discount code, ‘Cambridge50’, these classes are only £2 with several colleges funding it entirely. You can spend this time doing yoga with a friend over the phone, in your household or as time to yourself!

"Maintaining relationships with friends from in and out of your household is tricky when you’re isolating"lucy patchett

Maintaining relationships with friends from in and out of your household is tricky when you’re isolating. I’ve found it helpful arranging times to call friends from outside - whether it’s a quick chat or you decide to make Vodka Penne together over the phone, having a chat out loud is so much better than texting. A particular favourite of my household is pranks, which vary from sticking my sliders down the toilet to completely rearranging someone’s room - potentially not for the faint hearted if tensions are already high BUT great for a laugh and keeping everyone on their toes. Hosting your own formal or themed night is a perfect excuse to dress up and put actual clothes on for absolutely no reason. Poker and movie nights are a classic but my personal favourite: isolation hair salon – hair dye, haircuts, use your imagination.

Work

In Cambridge, so many students are hyperactive and highly work driven (…you sort of have to be) but in these circumstances, it’s okay to lack focus and not always be hitting your full work potential. Just because you’re not necessarily ‘busy’, doesn’t mean your work mentality improves. In fact in many cases (myself included) it’s the opposite. While an online learning experience might not suit everyone, it’s what we’ve got and we should look at the positives. I personally enjoy being able to watch lectures and attend supervisions from the warmth of my own room in my trackies.


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There is a lot of fun to be had in isolation but this is not to say that COVID is a pleasant experience. Regarding the virus, while symptoms lasted it was horrible and I would advise people to remain cautious, despite the temptation not to. But for anyone who is currently isolating, or will isolate at some point over the course of this academic year, I hope this can give you a couple of hints on how you can spend your time. Cambridge is an experience; make this one too.