Table 2. Themes identified in free-text responses to question ‘In your life, have you had any positive effects from the COVID-19 pandemic’ with example quote, shown in decreasing order of frequency, of those who reported a positive.

Theme*	Example quote	N	%
More time with family	“It made family members spend more time together” “More quality family time especially when we had a semi lockdown”	64	44.4
Developed good habits and improved self-care	“Pay more attention to developing good habits of personal hygiene, developing a healthy lifestyle” “…doing exercise and taking care of the diet”	45	31.3
Greater connection with others	“We’re closer as a family, with co-workers and with the community” “I now cherish friendships and family relationships even more than I used to”	25	17.4
Staying at home	“Am a homebody so enjoyed not having to go out”	19	13.2
Financial benefit	“ I was able to spend less money going out and socialising”	11	7.6
Work flexibility	“Working from home for some days”	11	7.6
Increased time for hobbies and leisure	“Learning to grow vegetables and flowers, learning to cook”	8	5.6
Gained perspective	“To value things, not allowing time to past not doing anything, reflect on what is important and what is not, be grateful for what I have and that I am not in need”	8	5.6
Less time commuting	“Working remotely saves on the time to be spent on the commute”	4	2.8
Mental health improvement	“Pay more attention to physical and mental health issues, increase the amount of exercise outdoor, pay more attention to people who need assistance, decline unnecessary social events, the betterment of one’s inner-self / spirituality.”	2	0.1

*Categories are not mutually exclusive.