It has been 18 months since the pandemic that stopped the world began, bringing with it countless lockdowns and worksite closures which plunged many tradies into lockdown. With so much uncertainty, some tradies are now finding themselves stuck at home.

Whether you’ve been caught up in lockdown based on your industry or location, we’ve put together some handy hints for tradies who are stuck at home.

Know what you’re eligible for and what applies to you

Firstly – and it may sound obvious – know what you’re eligible for and what restrictions apply to you and your trade. While some areas have stopped construction altogether, others have put a cap on how many people can be at a worksite at a time. In terms of home construction, there are some rules which will let certain trades enter a home if the house is empty.

For tradies out of work for a period, you may be eligible for government funding both on a personal level and a business level if you’re a business owner. Each state and country vary on compensation for those out of work, so make sure you do your research or contact your accountant to know what you may be entitled to.

Australian tradies can find updated rules and regulations here. New Zealand tradies can find updated information here.

Keep busy

Many tradies who haven’t spent time in lockdown before might face mixed emotions when being forced to stay home. At first, it may feel like much-needed time off to relax and recharge. However, the longer the lockdown goes on, the more feelings of isolation and boredom can start to creep in.

Keeping busy is one way to take your mind off the lockdown. Whether it’s getting around to unfinished projects you never got the time to do, or starting up a new hobby, keeping your mind occupied can help keep away negative thoughts and feelings. Look at trying something you wouldn’t ordinarily do, such as woodworking, car detailing, learning to play an instrument and more.

Find your new favourite hobby here.

While in lockdown, it’s also important to make sure you’re continuing to keep moving your body and being physically active. Although you may not be able to or feel motivated to do the workouts you usually do, keep your body moving by doing simple things like going for a walk, playing with your kids, or gardening outside will make you feel better. If you’re missing the gym but your local is closed, there are several workouts you can do from the comfort of your lounge room, using things you have in your house as equipment.

Try out some of these at-home workouts if you can’t access the gym.

Get into a routine

Having a routine during uncertain periods of lockdown will give you a sense of purpose and certainty. Psychologist Sabina Read says, "we can be really anchored by those daily routines and if you feel that you’ve lost that anchor, that could knock you off your feet." With the virus constantly changing and evolving, lockdowns are seeming to be more sporadic and random, meaning we don’t often have enough time to ‘prepare’ ourselves.

Creating a routine when you enter those lockdown periods will help give you a sense of normality and structure. If you normally go to the gym before or after work, try and include some form of exercise at the same time you normally would every day. At the times you would usually have smoko or lunch with your mates, schedule time to video call them while you’re eating to give you that sense of familiarity.

Putting a plan or to-do list in place for each day can help you put some certainty into your routine. Put together some structure in your day as well to help keep you accountable – you don’t want to get thrown off track binge-watching something on Netflix that you only wanted to watch one episode of!

Adding things to your to-do list may be as simple as cleaning out your car or garage, going for a walk to get some fresh air or even simply remembering to put the bins out. Being stuck in a lockdown can really wreak havoc in your daily routine, so having something on your to-do list will give you feelings of accomplishment.

Reach out if you’re struggling

This pandemic hasn’t been easy on anyone, and the uncertainty and feelings of unease lockdowns bring have taken a noticeable toll on people’s mental health. If your mental health is starting to suffer or you’re feeling increasing feelings of anxiety, it’s important to reach out for help.

Getting help isn’t a sign of weakness, but rather a step in the right direction to get your mind and body back on track. All too often in the trades industry, males especially are taught to believe that showing emotion is a sign of weakness and you’re not ‘tough’ if you talk about your feelings.

Blokes Psychology point out some alarming statistics, saying:

• Tradies/construction workers and ‘blue collar’ careers have some of the highest suicide rates in Australia among men
• Construction workers are at least six times more likely to die by suicide than by a workplace accident
• 190 construction workers die by suicide each year in Australia

If you’re feeling increasing feelings of isolation and loneliness, try reaching out to a friend or family member – they might even be feeling the same way. If you live alone, make sure you’re having some form of interaction with others every day, whether that be with work colleagues, family, or friends. Staying connected will help to reduce the feelings of isolation.

If you begin to struggle more or talking to a friend isn’t helping you feel better, it may be time to reach out to a professional for help. While it can be great to vent to someone you know, often, they aren’t equipped with the right tools to help you feel better. A psychologist or psychiatrist will work with you to tap into these feelings and come up with a plan to help you feel better. Your GP can help recommend someone who they believe will help you. If you’re experiencing moments where you need to talk to someone urgently, there are services such as Beyond Blue and Lifeline available 24/7 for you to use.

Working as a tradie can be a challenging job but being forced offsite and into a lockdown can take its toll on even the toughest tradies. It’s important to keep busy and establish a routine if you find yourself confronted with a lockdown and remember to speak up and reach out if you find yourself struggling.