With the lockdown in the UK set to continue for another few weeks, many people have found themselves with more free time on their hands than usual.

The social distancing measures enforced in March 2020 have meant the usual activities which people spend their time doing; visiting restaurants or pubs, attending the gym or a class, or catching up socially loved ones, are all impossible.

We wanted to find out what the UK population is doing during isolation – are people taking the time to learn new hobbies and skills, and if so what?

Through analysing Google Trends and Google search data we found the answer to be a resounding yes!

What do people want to learn in lockdown?

Hair and beauty, baking and DIY were found to be the most desired skills, with each area rising at least 200% since lockdown began.

When it comes to hair, it is clear many are taking matters into their own hands to keep themselves groomed during this unusual period. With barbers and hairdressers forced to close, the chance of a “fresh trim” is slim to none.

Searches for “how to do a skin fade” saw the highest increase of any term in our research (1,400%), with 5,400 searches in March 2020 compared to 1,400 in December 2019.

Skin fades are not the only issue we’re facing, with people also looking for help on how to cut their fringe (up by 809% in the same period).

The research shows we’re becoming a nation of bakers too, with “how to make scones” searched for 14,800 times in March. This term has ‘risen’ by 410% from 6,600 in December. Banana cake has also been popular, with 14,800 searches for the term from baking fanatics.

But we’re not just learning fun things – many Brits are using this time to reevaluate their jobs and career choices, with searches for “template for CV” up by 82%. “How to write a cover letter” and “interview tips” queries are also on the rise.

The job search data suggests the isolation period may be stimulating UK employees to consider their current employment status. For some, this may be a case of realising they enjoy the flexibility remote working policies can offer, but the results also reflect the job losses and subsequent uncertainty surrounding the last few months. Many people may choose to learn a new skill or take on projects as a way to manage stress and keep their minds occupied.

Here are the top six queries across a range of skills, and the associated increase in searches recorded since the outbreak began:

Beauty and hair

Average increase: 555%

1. How to do a skin fade – 5400 searches, up 1,400%

2. How to cut your fringe – 1000 searches, up 809%

3. How to cut your own hair – 49,500 searches, up 650%

4. How to take off acrylic nail polish – 30 searches, up 200%

5. How to get rid of gel nail polish – 140 searches, up 180%

6. How to do your own eyebrows – 210 searches, up 91%

Baking

Average increase: 278%

1. How to make scones – 49,500 searches, up 650%

2. How to make banana cake – 14,800 searches, up 410%

3. How to bake a cake – 12,100 searches, up 236%

4. How to make carrot cake – 6,600 searches, up 175%

5. How to make fondant – 1,900 searches, up 116%

6. How to bake – 880 searches, up 83%

DIY

Average increase: 200%

1. How to put up a fence – 1,300 searches, up 665%

2. How to build a shed – 5,400 searches, up 184%

3. How to paint a room – 4,400 searches, up 132%

4. How to paint – 2,900 searches, up 123%

5. How to build – 880 searches, up 49%

6. How to fix a hole in the wall – 1,300 searches, up 48%

Dancing, singing and writing

Average increase: 72%

1. Tik Tok dance – 7,400 searches, up 512%

2. Online singing lessons – 2,400 searches, up 307%

3. How to write poetry – 6,000 searches, up 67%

4. How to start a blog – 9,900 searches, up 50%

5. How to write a book – 12,100 searches, up 49%

6. Writing a short story – 1,300 searches, up 48%

Languages

Average increase: 151%

1. Learn sign language – 14,800 searches, up 236%

2. Learn Spanish – 40, 500 searches, up 235%

3. Learn a language – 8,100 searches, up 179%

4. Learn French – 14,800 searches, up 124%

5. Learn Italian – 8,100 searches, up 84%

6. Learn German – 6,600 searches, up 50%

Knitting and sewing

Average increase: 143%

1. How to knit a blanket – 4,400 searches, up 238%

2. How to crochet a blanket – 4,400 searches, up 238%

3. How to knit a blanket – 22,200 searches, up 124%

4. How to crochet – 27,100 searches, up 124%

5. How to thread a sewing machine – 2,900 searches, up 81%

6. How to sew – 2,900 searches, up 53%

Yoga and guided meditation

Average increase: 78%

1. How to do yoga – 1,000 searches, up 156%

2. Deep breathing techniques – 260 searches, up 136%

3. Spiritual practice – 260 searches, up 53%

4. How to meditate – 18,100 searches, up 50%

5. Guided meditation – 12,100 searches, up 49%

6. Finding peace – 390 searches, up 22%

Drawing

Average increase: 68%

1. How to draw a rose – 49,500 searches, up 123%

2. How to draw a face – 27,100 searches, up 83%

3. How to draw a girl – 8,100 searches, up 83%

4. How to draw a unicorn – 14,800 searches, up 50%

5. How to draw – 74,000 searches, up 49%

6. How to draw anime – 8,100 searches, up 23%

Other – careers

Average increase: 54%

1. Template for CV – 165,000 searches, up 82%

2. Phone interview tips – 1000 searches, up 69%

3. How to write a CV – 22,200 searches, up 50%

4. How to write a cover letter – 27,100 searches, up 50%

5. CV examples – 60,500 searches, up 49%

6. Interview tips – 6,600 searches, up 22%