The COVID-19 pandemic has confined more than half of humanity to our homes. It’s happened so suddenly that we have not had the time to mentally prepare. With offices closed, those which still have jobs are required to work from home. With all business activities and meetings shifting to a virtual world, we are having to adapt quickly to a new reality where maintaining your sanity has become exceedingly significant. While working from home may have sounded like a dream come true a while ago, when it is enforced and comes along with the inability to move out for recreational & social purposes (lockdown!), it can take a significant toll on your mental health. Those managing household work, kids along with office work have it even tougher. Here are a few ways to pull yourself away from the brink of insanity and towards a healthier lifestyle that maintains your mental well-being:
Stick To A Well-Designed Schedule
Being locked up in your house with your usual routine disrupted, it is very easy to fall into an unhealthy pattern. When you do not have to wake up early to get dressed and go to work, it seems fine to stay up all night and binge watch TV series. However, what we fail to realise is the importance of having a regular schedule or routine in our lives. When you feel like you have all the time in the world because you are quarantined, you keep putting off work and let the lockdown adversely affect your performance at work. An unorganized routine can lead to increased anxiety and depression while having a fixed schedule allows you to retain a thriving lifestyle. Waking up on time, meeting deadlines at work, exercising regularly (if possible take a walk outside) and taking all your meals at a scheduled time gives you a calming sense of achievement. It prevents you from lagging behind at work, and frees you up from having to decide what to do everyday. That said, don’t overwork either. Limit you working hours to typical office hours and use the free time for recreational purposes. Try to learn meditation & yoga, listen to soothing music, play an instrument or read your favorite book.
Build An Online Social Life
You might be feeling lonely or held captive in your own house and unable to meet up with friends and family. Remember that you do not have to lose touch with people you can physically meet everyday! Video calling is the new going out. Call up your parents, dig up cherished memories and reminisce about the times when it felt like nothing bad could happen, start up a bi-weekly family video chat and recall embarrassing stories with your siblings! Times may be tough now but recalling old memories is indeed an instant mood booster. Stay connected with your loved ones to find contentment and joy during the lockdown to help you gather the energy you need to excel at work.
Take Advantage Of The Online Universe
The global pandemic has led to several IVY League colleges offering free online courses. The possibilities of the online world are endless. You can participate in these virtual classrooms to keep yourself busy, acquire a new skill to enhance your productivity at work and teach yourself new things everyday to use this time in a constructive manner rather than going crazy worrying about the future. Don’t forget to watch zoo live streams to see adorable little animals that bring happiness and peace over your soul!
The great lockdown can wreak havoc on your mental health. Your success depends on your mental stability and ease. To stay on top of your game at work, it is imperative that you take a moment for yourself. Stay home, stay safe and hope for the best!
