The Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic has changed life as we know it, with social distancing in place and severe economic challenges looming.
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Everyday activities such as going out to eat or spending a day at the water park are remembered with fondness as South Africans are confined to their homes.
In light of this, people have decided to try their hand at both old and new hobbies. The Picody.com analysis team took a closer look at how South Africans are keeping busy. This was done by investigating Google search queries and creating a ranking of the activities that gained the most popularity during this time.
The frequency of search queries of certain activities and hobbies, such as going to the cinema, reading, and playing games, of March 2019 were compared to those of the same time this year.
Naturally, there was a decrease in activities that require leaving home, with a decline of 79% in concerts, theatre dropping by 67%, and cinema dropping by 58%. Interest in certain pastimes, such as board games (245%), home gym (223%), and online courses (194%), soared.
It seems that the uncertainty that currently surrounds the labour market has prompted Internet users to pursue additional qualifications. There are several institutions that offer online courses, such as Udemy.
Other activities that gained popularity are crocheting (88%), sketching (28%), listening to podcasts (5%) and painting (4%).
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As challenging as it may be to be stuck at home, why not use this time to get back in touch with old hobbies, or even invest in acquiring
new skills? It will surely be a welcome distraction.
