Tips to Get Through “Working From Home”

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With the new reality that is Coronavirus, people worldwide have to make major adjustments to their daily lives. While some people are experiencing a mandatory quarantine, others are simply working from home and practicing the social distancing recommendation.  Here are a few simple tips to get you through “working from home”.

It is easy to say, “don’t panic”, but that’s what will help all of us through this scary situation. This is happening, it’s not an issue a world away in a small unknown country. It is here and it’s not going away anytime soon.

Be Informed

As with any major event that gets headlines there is a lot of information and misinformation out there regarding what’s really going on. Generally speaking, a well-balanced diet of multiple sources is the most accurate way to go. Don’t just take one news channel’s word for it. Go on the CDC’s website, listen to the radio and maybe give another news channel a chance as well. Although updates come in seemingly every 5 minutes, many of these media outlets and government agencies do have your best interest in mind when it comes to informing you about Coronavirus.

It goes without saying that following your government guidelines is a good idea. By now, federal, state and local governments have all enacted ways to mitigate the Coronavirus outbreak. The prominent theme of these guidelines is to stay away from other people. Stay at home, work from home and only go out when necessary.

Wearing Many Hats

Whether you’re working from home, are off for a few weeks or now find yourself having to be the teacher for your kids who are home from school, below are a few tips and resources that have been vetted to ensure the noise is removed and what’s helpful remains. This is done with the intent of promoting health and well-being in this new reality. Although things are constantly changing, the information below will most likely remain true and helpful. It is my sincere hope that it may be of use to someone.

Tips:

  • This has to be first: Wash your hands! Regular handwashing with hot water and soap should be routine (min. 20 seconds), but especially now you should do so more often. Whenever you come in contact with things outside your home, it’s a good idea to wash your hands or sanitize.
  • If you’re unsure if your hands are clean, avoid touching your face or your loved one’s faces.
  • Practice social distancing.
  • If you feel isolated, use the technology at your disposal: text, call (yes, we can call each other), face time, Skype or play an online game.
  • This tip is not made to give a doom and gloom feeling, but it would be helpful for several reasons to be more sparing with the use of consumables:
    • This actually saves you money
    • Creates less waste for the planet
    • Allows you to avoid unnecessary trips to the store
  • Although this may not work for some, for others, taking a break from social media may help ease some anxiety – we all know it’s not the best place for accurate information or helpful advice.
  • If the gym is closed, you can exercise at home:
    • If it’s nice out a jog or long walk can do wonders
    • Pushups, sit-ups, squats and stretches require nothing but your body
  • If it’s nice outside, then get some fresh air:
    • This helps reduce effects of cabin fever
    • Has been proven to help promote positive thoughts
    • Exposes you to sunlight which also helps boost your mental and physical well-being
  • Board games can help pass the time, especially if the TV needs a break.
  • Talk, talk, talk: Talk to your friends and family – by nature we are social creatures and making the extra effort to remain social will help your mental well-being.
  • You don’t have an excuse now: If you own a house, there are always simple projects you’ve probably been pushing off. Keeping busy in a productive way is a plus during these difficult times.

Helpful Resources

Some of these are strictly good sources for information while others may help with other needs you may have**:

**Please note that information on COVID-19 is rapidly changing, so some of the information in these websites and the tips above may change as we learn more about the virus. Also, there are thousands of other websites and resources available to help. You can simply do a google search and listen to different news outlets for other helpful advice.