During the COVID-19 pandemic, and the consequent lockdown, it’s of utmost importance to take care of our mental and emotional health. This would enable us to thrive in this ‘new normal’ and ace work from home even while socially distancing.
Since we often have conversations within Malini’s Girl Tribe on Facebook on WFH, we invited Malika Singh, Human Potential Consultant with Thrive Global, to host a #GirlTribeAMA and address the key topic of taking care of yourself and thriving while working from home and living under lockdown.Malika shared tips on dealing with stress and anxiety during this period, ways to be productive, ways to embrace the work-from-home reality, thriving at home while practicing social distancing, navigating personal and professional relationships, and more! Read on to know how all she had to say!
Q. I’m starting to feel overwhelmed as work is all-consuming and eating into my personal time. Any tips on how I can adjust to this change?
You need to take a step back and relook at the current structure of your day. Segregate your day into parts. Maintain a morning self-care practice, be it mindful breathing or practicing gratitude. Keep a routine and set micro-goals for yourself. Take small breaks through the day, and stick to a well-timed meal plan. Don’t delay lunch or dinner because you’re overwhelmed with work. Pause. Nourish your mind and body. Set a time limit for work hours, and once work hours are over, tune into something else that you enjoy…A home workout, for example, at this stage would go a long way to help you decompress in the evenings.
Q. Is right now a good time to look for a professional change?
Times like these have never been experienced before, so uncertainty on the job front is more real than ever. However, there are a lot of organisations who are continuing to hire people. Log into such postings to see how they suit you. It’s a great time to build skill sets that will be relevant for the coming times. So, if you don’t see a job change on the cards for yourself currently, choose a skillset and develop that in the interim.
Q. How to overcome severe anxiety and panic attacks without medication or counselling?
Looking inwards and tuning in to your breath can prove to be a super-effective tool for uplifting your spirits and maintaining a good mental equilibrium. Harness the power of your breath, this may involve active conscious breathing, mindfulness and gratitude in equal measures. Awareness is the first step to self-development and improvement.
Q. Working with my partner is proving harder than I thought; we’re talking over each other and interrupting each other’s meetings. What’s a good way to draw boundaries?
Working in close quarters and sharing space can be quite challenging during these times. A chat with your partner can prove effective. Share your calendar and work out important calls. If you’re not able to use separate rooms, noise-cancelling headphones may be effective as well. While it may continue to be an unresolved issue, make sure that your communication with your partner comes from a place of love, empathy and understanding.
Q. How do I restore my sleeping patterns to balance the commitments I have during the day?
Prioritise things. Communicate the tasks and goals you have set for yourself. Establish work hours and family time. Give mealtime it’s due importance, and stick to a well-timed meal routine. Moreover, establish a ‘pre-sleep’ night routine if possible. Reflect back on how your day was, acknowledge the wins, and see how you can make the next day better. Reduce screen time before you go to sleep, as excessive screen time can hamper the quality of sleep.
Do you have any tips or tricks to ace working from home during the lockdown? Please share it with us in the comments below!
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