Some of us have been working remotely for a while now. Work from home definitely has its perks–no makeup and no bras are what we’re here for! However, coping with the all-pervasive gloom, creating a work-life balance, building our resilience in the face of a crisis to switching from “languishing” to flourishing, etc, are some things many of us are struggling with. So, we reached out to Bhavna Kohli, Transformative Life Coach & Marketing Consultant, and invited her to host an Ask Me Anything session on the Girl Tribe by MissMalini app. She answered all the questions the Tribe had on thriving while working from home. Scroll down to read all that she shared!
Q. How can one be productive during this gloomy time? The situation is really bad around me and I am unable to snap out of it.
The second wave of Covid has heightened anxiety for many. While we need to be aware of things, we also need to protect our own mental health and emotions.
- Disengage from news and newspapers for a while.
- Limit your time on social media; use it effectively. Follow accounts that help uplift your mood. Doomscrolling can have a severe negative influence on our mental health.
- Engage with a larger cause; support an NGO for a cause close to your heart. Doing work that is bigger than us gives us a purpose and helps in shifting focus.
- The positive effects of exercise are tremendous. Please join an online group exercise class. Couple this with 15 minutes of pranayama and meditation daily.
- Start your day with journaling–there are many, many things to be thankful for. Shifting our focus to gratitude helps in relieving anxiety.
- Create a routine and make it a point to stick to it. Plan your day the previous night so that you have something to look forward to.
- Make it a point to watch some comedy for half an hour every day. If the anxiety persists, I recommend that you connect with a specialist who can work with you one on one.
Q. How can one set healthy work boundaries so that work stays separate from personal life?
Creating boundaries is a sign of self-care. Here are some of the things we can do to create boundaries at work:
- Stick to a schedule and routine. Designate a start and end time to work just as you would in the pre-pandemic time. There will be things that may spill over but attend to them only if they are critical and only after you have taken a break.
- Schedule time for non-work activities like exercise, meals, and recreation.
- Just as it’s important to not let work spill into personal time, the reverse is also true. During working hours stay focused so you can accomplish more. Keep away from social media, online shopping, etc. which may be tempting since you are online.
- Once you are done for the day resist checking and answering work-related emails and messages. Similarly, don’t start checking emails and messages for the first hour of your day.
- Lastly, go easy on yourself. There is nothing normal in the ‘new normal’ so cut yourself some slack if you aren’t able to accomplish much on some days.
Q. How can one work from home with a young toddler demanding constant attention and the added stress of the current situation?
Mums who have to WFH along with toddlers face a stressful and demanding time. While each toddler is unique, here are a few things that may help:
- Build and stick to a routine for yourself and your child–nap in the afternoon, meals at set times, playtime in the evening, etc.
- Try and get them to sleep for a few hours in the afternoon at which point you can take care of critical tasks.
- Create some activities that you can do together, for example, exercise along with your toddler, giving them some greens to shred, or dough to play with while you cook. This way they get some dedicated time with you which makes it easier to distract them at a later point.
- Use screen time judiciously; don’t feel guilty about it but don’t go overboard either.
- If your toddler needs to attend school online, you need to enlist help from your spouse or a family member and take turns to be with the child.
- Lean into the support of family; it takes a village to raise a child. You don’t have to do it all.
- Babies learn to laugh even before they speak. Diffuse a stressful situation by using humour. Crack a joke, tickle them, fool around instead of trying to reprimand them.
- Lastly, please lower your expectations from them as they are also undergoing stress which they cannot articulate. And go easy on yourself too!
Q. I’m torn between staying in PJs since I’m working from home and going through the motions of getting properly dressed up to feel more in the zone. Does it make a difference?
The fact is that getting dressed makes a big impact on our well-being. A recent study was conducted with senior citizens at American care homes to assess the impact of the pandemic on wellness. The lack of staff to help the members with their hair washes, blow drys and general grooming has impacted their sense of well-being sharply. At the same time, we don’t need the additional pressure of getting properly dressed, whilst juggling many things. I would recommend the mid-path; settle for comfortable clothes but don’t live in your sleepwear. Ditch the PJs for a summer dress or linen pants. Replace the full makeup look with a swipe of bright lipstick. Spray some energising fragrance. These small things make us feel alive!
Q. Are there any specific items I should keep on my work desk to make myself feel more motivated during the day?
Yes, most definitely!
- To start with, have a designated work area and use it for work only. Step away from your work area for your meals and non-work-related activities.
- If possible, walk around your room/home during phone calls so you don’t feel bound to your desk.
- Keep your desk clean and clutter-free; if possible near a window or a source of natural daylight.
- Some of the items that can help are a physical calendar where you can schedule your meetings and to-do list, a small plant, and even an uplifting aromatherapy candle.
- Clear your desk the previous night, so you start your day fresh.
What is your go-to tip to find and sustain motivation while working from home? Please share it with us in the comments below!
Join the Girl Tribe by MissMalini to be a part of more such conversations.Explore the app