In our latest edition of Top Tips, Jill Scott talks us through her new hobby, favourite meal and TV recommendations...

In our new feature, presented by Gatorade, our women’s team share their advice and recommendations for coping through this uncertain period of the COVID-19 pandemic...

What advice would you give for keeping motivated?

It’s a tough time for everybody. Sometimes, you can think you can’t be bothered to do things but’s important to keep your body and mind healthy.

Maybe plan your day out the night before and write down what you want to achieve. I find that helps.

Otherwise, if you don’t have a plan to stick to, you can find yourself sitting on your phone, not doing anything worthwhile.

A lot of people are used to working to a structure - whether you have a job or you’re looking after the kids, it’s nice to have a structure.

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How about keeping fit?

Make sure you use your hour out of the house, even if you just go for a walk. It resets the mind and it’s good to get some fresh air into the lungs.

If you’re not used to exercise or you have a full-time job and find it difficult to find time, there are different types of simple exercise online.

A twenty minute hit in the morning can really wake you up for the day.

I’m not saying you have to turn into a pro athlete, going for 5k or 10k runs, but everyone has to start somewhere.

 

Any healthy eating suggestions? What’s the best meal you’ve made?

I am a very basic cook! I can’t even lie and say otherwise because the girls will see straight through it! It’s an area I could be better at...

We did have a nice tea the other night: what I call a ‘picky tea’ - chicken, hummus, salad. It took me back to the days when I was kid and I’d run in from football and there was loads of choice of food. We really enjoyed it.

We have a set of grill pans as well and we put potatoes, cheese and meat in to grill. That’s been good. It was Pauline Bremer, Karima Benameur and Tessa Wullaert who introduced us to them - they invited us to a night at theirs some months back and then we went out and bought the set!

I love those tapas teas!

 

Any advice on how to stay calm and have fun?

Don’t overthink things. It’s a crazy situation we’re in and it’s difficult for everyone. It’s easy to worry about things not going to plan and have your thoughts go in a downward spiral but instead, think: how can I turn things into a positive?

Work day-to-day and put little things into place that help structure your day with exercise or work - but don’t try to do everything in one day: spread it out throughout the week.

Make sure you enjoy your weekends as well. I know half the time we don’t know what day it is but try to have that structure so you can relax a bit over the weekend.

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Hopefully, that can calm anxiety: thinking of the next day, and it’s also important to stay connected.

We’ve been doing quizzes and stuff on Zoom and making sure we’re checking in with people with the odd FaceTime for ten minutes or so.

The England team have been hosting ‘Coffee Clubs’ and it’s been nice to catch up. Although you can’t see each other in person, you can still have a laugh and some banter.

Even if it’s not something you’re used to, each week I’d say: note three people who you’re going to check in with. It’s really helped me, having those conversations.

Do you have any new hobbies?

I’ve been doing more yoga. When I wake up, I do a 20-minute hit to start the day.

I’ve also done a bit of poetry and I’ve been doing football sessions online for kids. That’s been nice - for me to get out and do kick-abouts like I did when I was little: back doing skill practices on the back lane.

You remember why you fell in love with football in the first place. In any job, every day you can get so tied up with outcomes, results and pressure moments that sometimes, it’s nice to take a step back and find the reason why you’re doing it. That’s the same for any job.

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What are you watching on Netflix? Are you reading any good books? Any recommendations?

I’m in the middle of watching Homeland, although I think I’m a bit behind! A lot of people are up to the seventh season and I’m watching the third... 

There’s always something happening in it. I haven’t got bored of it - normally, I get one season in to a show and think: ‘When is this gonna end?’ I’m looking forward to the next episode so that’s how I know when I like something!

I’m also a massive soap fan and I’m on the edge of my seat with Coronation Street! I’m gutted it’s gone down to reduced episodes!

I like that they do a lot of real-life storylines. They put a lot of research into them and those storylines can help thousands.

I’m also reading a good book called Purpose and it’s really interesting. It helps you find out more about you: what makes you tick.

People might define you by your job title: Jill Scott, footballer, but this looks into why you actually do what you do. It helps you realise what your purpose is and how you can still meet that purpose. I’ve enjoyed it.

 

Do you have a message for the fans, during this difficult period?

First of all, thank you for your support so far. I really think we have the best fans in the league - you travel everywhere and don’t miss a thing.

You’re really committed to the cause and it really helps us out on the pitch. When we see you before a game and acknowledge you at the end - win or lose - we can feel you have the same emotion as us.

A massive thank you. We’re missing football and the fans as much as you are but rest assured, we’ll be back but for now, we have to be patient and make sure it’s at the right time.

Everybody’s safety comes first.