NEW research by Specsavers, has identified what we can’t wait to see, hear and do as lockdown restrictions are eased, with six in 10 people looking forward to things many of us considered mundane pre-lockdown.

Some of life’s simpler pleasures, such as experiencing a busy high street (26%), a trip to the garden centre (24%) or merely sharing a smile (28%) have been missed most during lockdown.

Half of people have been busy planning their post-lockdown lives, according to the study, conducted by OnePoll. Being able to go on holiday whenever you fancy tops the list at 41%, while one in six (15%) said a trip to the Toby Carvery is something they’d savor in future.

The study has also highlighted the importance of human connections. 40% said they want to see people without their masks, while 76% of people who enjoy a hug have found restrictions especially hard.

Specsavers has partnered with Sensory Trust to highlight the importance of sight and hearing in appreciating all life has to offer. Jane Stoneham, Director of Sensory Trust, says: ‘This research highlights the human need for connection with people and places through sensory experiences. It is interesting to see that second on the list is seeing people without masks and number six is shaking someone’s hand.

‘We know that connecting with people and places on a sensory level provides deeper, longer lasting experiences. From the smells and sounds associated with being in the middle of a crowd of people at a festival on a hot day to the shaking of a hand or a hug with a loved one, sensory input such as this gets our neurons firing, laying down new pathways.

‘Our senses are closely connected with memory – recalling past ones and laying down new memories. For example, emotions can be triggered by a sounds even before our cognitive processes have recognised what that sound is.’

Queuing for a beer at a gig (11%), being crammed in on public transport (8%) or stuck in traffic (8%) and making the office tea (9%) will apparently no longer be sources of disgruntlement.

Dr Josie Forte, Specsavers clinical spokesperson, says: ‘There are some ordinary experiences that you would never have thought you’d miss until something unexpected like the pandemic happened.

‘As the sights, smells and sounds of daily life, however mundane, look set to resume this summer, it’ll be interesting to see how this newfound appreciation impacts people and how long it will last – or will many of us revert to taking such things for granted again?’

Pre-lockdowns, 83% of adults admitted that they took the freedom of their daily life for granted, but those polled estimated it’ll take a further nine months following restrictions being lifted for life to feel ‘normal’ once more. While 40% think that there will be further covid lockdowns, 48% fear they’ll find it hard to readjust to the way things were. A third plan to carry on life at a slower pace, while 33% want more quality family time and 21% will take more moments to stop and reflect in future.

The sounds we are looking forward to include waves crashing on the shore (39%), live music (32%) and scissors cutting our hair (29%), while more than one in 10 of us cited the sound of a shop assistant shouting ‘next’ at a busy till as something they’ll revel in again soon.

Dr Forte adds: ‘There are definitely plenty of everyday moments to look forward to in the coming months so getting your sight and hearing checked will ensure that you can enjoy these moments to the maximum.’