Author: Victoria Krstev on behalf of Inflo HR Ltd.
2020 was a year of ups and downs for most people. A bit of an emotional roller coaster if we do say so ourselves! The pandemic came quickly and brought many unexpected changes. There were a lot of changes seen in both the workplace and everyone’s everyday life. Offices filled with hundreds of people had to convert to solely work from home situations for their employees, while many people lost their jobs due to being deemed non-essential.
Such uncertain times can cause quite the emotional turmoil for just about anyone. Humans are creatures of habit, especially when it comes to their daily schedules. A drastic change such as taking away their socialization with coworkers, family and friends, can be detrimental to their mental health. Let’s go through a few things that should hopefully keep everyone positive during this pandemic!
“You’re off to great places, today is your day. Your mountain is waiting, so get on your way!” – Dr. Seuss
So, maybe you were used to the same routine day in and day out for the last however many years. Your alarm goes off, you get ready, you grab a coffee on your way to work, you interact with your coworkers, you go home, and repeat. I think that routines are a great way to keep a bit of normalcy in your life, but they’ll definitely look a little different. Sure it may have been fun working from home and wearing your PJs all day, but after a while, you may start to feel like you’re in a rut. If getting your morning coffee brings a little bit of happiness to your day, then you should do it! Getting up and getting ready, no need for a suit and tie but it’s nice to get dressed up, even if it’s just leggings and a hoodie. Having a designated workspace is also a great way to create a line between work and home life.
Remember to take breaks while working. Get up and stretch, walk around the house, or get some fresh air by walking around the block. If you feel yourself getting distracted while working, it probably means your brain is being overworked. It’s okay to take a few minutes away from your screen when needed. As long as you are finishing your tasks for the day, you’re entitled to take a break when needed.
You should set boundaries when it comes to your schedule. When your workday is wrapping up, you may feel like you should stay logged on for extra hours, but keeping a consistent end time will help you. Once you’re done, spend some time doing something you enjoy like cooking dinner or reading a book. Maybe go for that walk if you haven’t yet!
“It makes a big difference in your life when you stay positive.” – Ellen DeGeneres
Staying connected with coworkers and friends is so important! If you’re feeling overwhelmed or anxious, chances are so is everyone else. Daily check-ins with other coworkers and even family and friends are so important. We may not be able to physically see each other so scheduling zoom calls or other video-based calls is a great way to keep in touch. This helps eliminate some of the loneliness or isolation you may be feeling being cooped up at home. Just because everyone is working from home, does not mean that communication levels should decrease. Both employees and managers should keep everyone updated on what they’re working on.
Keep a solid support system around you, even if it’s just a text conversation a day, or going out to grab a bite to eat with a friend. If you feel uncomfortable meeting up with someone for a socially distanced visit, why not try a virtual coffee break?
“Happiness is the only thing that multiplies when you share it.” – Albert Schweitzer
Trying to stay active is very important right now. Exercise (whether it be in your house or out) is a way to decrease stress and increase endorphins! While you’re working, try and get up every 30 minutes, stretch, grab a glass of water, or even do some jumping jacks! Just because your gym may be closed, doesn’t mean you can’t get a workout in. Going for a walk with a friend or jogging around your neighbourhood is equally beneficial – and free! Besides, we could all use a little fresh air right now.
We’re all guilty of complaining about not getting enough sleep. Since your commute time is cut down to about 30 seconds, from your bedroom to your office, why not use this to sleep in that extra 30 minutes or an hour that we all wish we had! Getting 7 to 9 hours of sleep is important to feel well-rested and ready to tackle the day. Don’t forget to try and eat healthy and stay hydrated! Cut up some apple slices in advance for when you’re feeling snacky, it’ll be just as easy to grab those instead of that bag of chips.
One thing we have been relying on this winter season is liquid Vitamin C, highly recommend it!
“Every day may not be good… but there’s something good in every day.” – Alice Morse Earle
Having a chill day where you do nothing is totally ok and much needed! It’s just as important to relax as it is to exercise. Spend some time device-free because let’s be real, your eyes probably need to break after staring at a computer screen all day! Take some time to recharge by doing something that makes you feel relaxed. Personally, a bubble bath and a movie can always help me relax and destress from the day. Try to limit your media consumption as this can be very draining. Take some time to watch that Netflix series you’ve been looking forward to or catching up on the reading list you haven’t had time to start.
“Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is relax” – Mark Black
Now more than ever is it important for business owners, managers, HR professionals, etc. to pay attention to their staff’s well-being. If you’re wondering what you can do to help promote healthy work habits, here’s a few things you can do for your employees.
Make sure that your staff knows that you are available for them to talk to about any issues they may have. Be empathetic and show that you care about their well being during the pandemic. It’s important that they know their mental health is being taken into consideration, especially if they are feeling anxious or overwhelmed.
Stay connected with your staff. Create virtual meetings for teams to be able to check-in and feel like they are still working together.
Update your employees on what is covered in terms of mental health with their benefits. By making this information readily available, it can ease the stress of an employee who may be too nervous to ask.
COVID19: Managing Stress and Anxiety: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) created this webpage with links to various helplines.
Coronavirus and Mental Health: The American Psychiatric Association (APA) made this post specifically for taking care of yourself during an infectious disease outbreak.
COVID19 and Mental Illness Guide: the National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) formed this guide filled with information varying from what to do if you are feeling isolated to working from home and more.
Crisis text line: text 741741
Canada Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 833-456-4566
We would also like to point out if you’re struggling with creating a workplace policy that touches upon all these changes made during the last year – we are here to help.
