Working from home, and taking care of yourself during the covid-19 lockdown

Posted Monday April 6, 2020

Prioritise ‘me time’

You have to create ‘me time’: set your alarm clock for 30 mins earlier and while the house is quiet do whatever makes you feel your best. That can change from day to day, and can be anything you want, EXCEPT touching your phone, which will suck you into working and reacting to the world around you.

Tip: Plug your alarm clock into a socket across the room. Getting up to turn it off makes it so much easier to stay up and not crawl back into bed.

Get some exercise

During endless home office days you may sit for 10 to 11 hours. Getting out and moving helps. Not only will you get a mood boost, but also if the weather is tolerable, you’ll get some sunshine. Take the family and your pets. The whole household will benefit from the change in perspective with an endorphin-filled boost in their moods.

Tip: On bad weather days, search YouTube for an exercise video.

Make a routine

Our lives have been turned upside down and it’s far too easy to work until bedtime. Now that the office is just outside of the bedroom (and maybe in the bedroom), create a brand new routine. Build structure in your day by waking up for ‘me-time’, making your bed, eating lunch at your normal lunch hour (block it out if you need to) and put work away by 6:00 or 6:30 pm.

Tip: Set alarms on your phone to remind you to get up, make lunch, or take a break at regular intervals.

Spruce up your workspace

Personalising your workspace makes it nicer to sit there for hours on end; maybe fresh flowers, or a photo of your family, or a lit candle. Try to keep your desktop clean. If you’re not on a phone call play your favourite music.

Tip: Periodically rotate decorative items from other parts of the house to freshen up your desk for a few days. If you have “nice” tea cups, drink from them: life is short, so use the good china.

Do a little personal development

As we settle into our ‘new normal’ some may find they have extra time on their hands. Get your ongoing education sorted then branch out. Now’s the time to take an online course. Have you been meaning to learn a musical instrument? This is your year.

Tip: If your nail salon is closed and you want to learn how to do an at-home manicure, YouTube is a great resource.

Call someone

If you’re feeling alone, reach out to someone. In seconds we can have a face-to-face chat with just about anyone on our phones. Use technology to your advantage. It’s ok to not be ok — maybe you’re lonely or worried about your aging parents who are at-risk or fighting the virus. Talking makes it better — so call someone.

Tip: There are many online counselling services available. Be sure that you work with a licensed professional.

During these unsettled times, stay healthy, and happy.