Keeping in touch with friends and family – via Skype, Zoom, House Party and other such platforms – on an almost daily basis, became quite the novelty, as did the endless evening entertainment provided by the likes of Netflix, Amazon Prime and Disney+ - to name a few.

The common theme here, is that – certainly for the first few weeks – most people’s time was consumed by screens. However, it appears the initial ‘novelty’ of the Covid-19 restrictions has abated.

A recent survey by Savills and Pinergy revealed that energy consumption is down by 30% in the morning, and between 10% and 20% in the evening – suggesting our energy consumption and ‘screen time’ is falling.

So, what are the reasons for this? Have we ‘completed’ Netflix? Have we run out of conversation with friends and family online?

Over the past few weeks, I carried out some research of my own – amongst family, friends and colleagues – and some common trends began to emerge.

Firstly, it appears the regularity of video chat with friends and family has reduced from almost once-a-day, to once or twice a week.

Our natural need for human interaction in a physical setting has taken precedence, with many people telling me how they’re getting to know their neighbours better – from chatting to them over the garden wall, or meeting them out on a walk – albeit at a distance.

Our natural need for human interaction in a physical setting has taken precedence, with many people telling me how they’re getting to know their neighbours better – from chatting to them over the garden wall, or meeting them out on a walk – albeit at a distance.

A colleague of mine relayed to me how a highlight of his day is having a chat with the postwoman each morning. So, perhaps new friendships will be formed as a result of COVID-19 – not such a bad thing.

It also appears that, despite a slow start, our diets have improved and we’re getting more exercise – because we have more time to look after ourselves. Reports of Christmas-style binge eating – and drinking – were soon replaced by healthy home-cooked meals and regular exercise, mainly in the form of walking, running or cycling.

The highlight of the day for most people I talked to, was meal time. Families, partners and housemates are moving from the couch to the kitchen or dining room table – with no screens for children and adults alike. 

Moreover, post-dinner activity has moved from Netflix binges to more traditional forms of entertainment, such as card or board games. One family I spoke to have started their family tree, something I suspect they never would have got around to in normal circumstances.

DIY and gardening are also high on the agenda, with people completing projects in the home that would otherwise have been put on the long-finger.

In most cases, these activities require little or no energy consumption in the home, but most importantly they are good for our physical and mental wellbeing at a very testing time for all of us.

The effects of the modern day ‘always on’ culture have been debated for many years, with more and more people spending the majority of their time in the digital world rather than the real-world – with devastating effects.

Pre-Covid-19, this trend was only getting worse, despite an acceptance that something had to change. Now it has been forced upon us.

Sharyn McAndrew is Head of Energy & Sustainability at Savills Ireland.