With cases of Covid-19 rising once again in Ireland, many of us are finding ourselves stuck inside self-isolating, starting at the same four walls with feelings of deja vu kicking in. Whether you have tested positive and are feeling the effects of the BA.2 variant or you are a close contact staying close to home, these audio books, TV shows and activities will help to pass the time. After two years, the novelty of staying home has definitely worn off but an enforced slowdown can also be welcome.

Main featured image via @jessie_bush pictured at home in her elegantly styled kitchen.

WATCH Bridgerton, of course. The hit series is back with its second season and once again, Irish actress Nicola Coughlan steals the show. New additions to the series include breakout stars Simone Ashley as Kate Sharma and Charithra Chandran as Edwina Sharma, who arrive on the scene as guests of Lady Danbury, causing a stir.

BAKE something delicious to take your mind off the fact that you’re stuck at home. The aromas of this blood orange upside down cake by model-turned-cook Emma Louise Connolly, aka @thegreedymodel, will linger long after you’ve finished the last slice.

LISTEN TO Roxie Nafousi’s latest audio book, Manifest, which aims to offer an easy-to-follow guide to creating the life you want in seven steps. Hesitant as you may be about manifestation, Nafousi has uncovered a loyal following of people seeking change in their lives and her brand of millennial-marketed self-controlled development appears to be of benefit to many, whether it is responsible for the changes that follow or not. If there was ever a time to try it, a week spent sitting at home alone seems like a worthy time to give it a go.

ORDER a subscription to your favourite magazine, newspaper or journal. The gift that keeps on giving, a monthly or weekly arrival that you can flick through at your leisure is a very worthy investment. As so much of our lives are now spent staring at screens, taking the time to read a printed copy (whether book, magazine or newspaper) seems like the ultimate luxury – take notes from Renata Boeck, photographed by Slim Aarons having breakfast in bed, and add a regular slow Sunday morning into your schedule even after your self-isolation period is up.

READ one of Books Editor Orna Mulcahy’s top picks for the month, including Margaret Atwood’s latest collection of essays and a dazzling debut by Jessamine Chan.

START PLANNING your great escape with our helpful city guides to destinations in Europe. We are all dreaming of a break right now after a long winter (and especially after a seven-day stint locked up at home) and the upcoming Easter holidays could be just the time to book a trip abroad. We’ll have guides for Amsterdam, Biarritz, Budapest and Edinburgh coming over the next two weeks to help you plan your much-needed break.