October 2020
Keep up your daily routine as if you are still going to the office. Irregularity in your work and private life can lead to feelings of turmoil and instability. An example of how you find stability and regularity is by taking a walk or a bike ride in the morning, then carrying out a task that gives your energy. Make sure that you can work without any distractions from emails or phone calls. Take your time to lunch. Leave the computer and even go outside to take a breath of fresh air. The time directly after the lunch break is more suitable for routine tasks and ” to do-things”. From 15:00 you could possibly try to do another complex task. It is wise to keep a rhythm of 1 to 1.5 hours of effort and then a break of 10 – 15 minutes away from the monitor.
Experience demonstrates that many people tend to work harder at home and take fewer break. It is not healthy to sit behind the screen for the duration of the 8 hours. Sequence of online meetings require a lot of focus, attention and concentration. On the one hand, meetings are more efficient and shorter, because online meeting are less inviting and open to chitchat . On the other hand, it requires more alertness to the purpose of the communication, because nuances of communication are missing. It can also raise frustrations that you want to be closer to each other, but the online platform creates and sharpens the remoteness.
For a working day at the office, expecting 6 hours productivity is realistic, taking into account that you would take in total about two hours to walk back and forth, consult or catch up with colleagues and to lunch. It is therefore important to give yourself the same time to take a breather when you work at home. Find out what kind of activities at home are pleasantly functional for you as that breather.
Working at home does not give off the same sense of freedom that the end of a work day at the office gives off. After all, the work is now at home, so you are not leaving it behind you at the office. Think of a ritual that you can do at the end of each work day, which will help you feel like you left work.
For example, make a distinction between work clothes and what you wear at home. Once finished working, change into your home or leisure clothes. Another suggestion is to deliberately store your work gear behind a door or cupboard that you lock up; or take a shower and literally wash the workday off.
Now that it appears that the corona and the need to work from home will last longer than expected, it is important to make time for informal conversations and/or meetings with your colleagues. The danger in working effectively and task-orientally online, is that the feelings of belongingness, togetherness and the interconnection decline. Additionally, this form of communication leaves much to be desired when it comes to listening and supporting each other. Therefore, plan both ,moments of task-oriented meetings, as well as, informal moments in which you can talk, share, ,advice and confer together. Try to take advantage of the available opportunities available to reconnect in person( e.g. taking a walk, picnic, ride a bike together)
Working from home may make you feel more drawn back. Many positive incentives have vanished ( e.g. office parties, chatting at the coffee machine ,getting a pat on the back). Perhaps it may be a accompanied with a sense of emptiness or dissatisfaction with what you have actually done during the day. That’s why you should ask yourself and your colleagues the following question; What did I mean or contribute no matter (how small is it)? Then, focus on those things you named.
Balancing being too much or hardly any ,alone and together time
Too much alone time
You may spend too much time alone ,because you don’t have a partner, miss a family member or because of the fact that work at the office was a major and important part of your life. It takes creativity and commitment to personally meet people. It is recommended to plan in advance a time to reconnect with friends and colleagues, such as an outdoor activity or to work together. You can then look forward to it and have a consistent support resource.Hardly any alone time
You may not have enough ‘’me’’ time when the whole family has to work and study at home. Mutual irritations can run high when workstations need to be shared or when habits and wishes collide. Make a family schedule and make sure that the advantages and disadvantages are equally shared between family members. When there is a favorite workplace or computer in the house, everyone should be able to rotate and use it equally. See if it is possible to work outside home like at the library, a friend’s house or on a park bench.
Make sure you don’t spend all your time together, thus also meet your friends or other family members. In corona time, walking together, cycling is still a possible outdoor activity.
During this time you may be confronted with problems, which otherwise due to being at the office were less evident to you. You may start to get annoyed by your partner, children or living environment. There could be more arguments and misunderstanding at home; or you realize that you are stuck, sad and disappointed by your job . It is important to realize that a crisis, like the corona and working at home, puts a magnifying glass on certain problems. It’s harder to put things into perspective and distance yourself. In times of crisis, it is important to live day by the day and to focus on what has gone well or what you have done well, however small it may be. It is not sensible to put pressure on yourself, or on others, to immediately solve certain problems. Be patient with yourself and your surroundings in this new situation. As well as, take the time to reflect on what are the sensible steps that need to be taken in order to solve the problems or make them manageable.
You may worry about your health and that of others. It’s hard to live with something that is unpredictable. It raises questions such as; Can I get sick? Have I complied enough with the corona regulations? How are my elderly parents ,who belong in the high risk group, coping? Furthermore, physical warmth and tenderness may be lacking due to keeping the 1.5 meter distance. This is difficult because we as humans need proximity, warmth and nurturing.
In times of uncertainty and fear, it is important to stick to the rules, to focus on what you can do to protect yourself and help prevent illness from further spreading. If you notice that you dare less and due to angst tend to retreat and self-isolate, try to stick to your daily routines as much as possible. Seek support from others. Think about other challenging moments in your life and remember what helped you deal with them then.
Having a job and steady income is an important pillar of your life. It allows you to live your daily life, have a roof over your head, buy food, take care of your family etc. It contributes to your self-worth and level of confidence in your qualities as a professional. The (imminent) loss of a job is profound and stressful. It may be easy for others to say “you’ll get benefits” or “you finally have the free time that you always wanted.” It is prudent that you take control of your life, that which is within your power. Map out your work experience, skills and diplomas. Look at employment sectors ,where there is still a need for employees. Bring forth that which is in line with that sector. Looking for a new job is an intensive task. Plan a few half days a week to get started. Make sure you use the other day parts for activities that relax you. In this way you can avoid exhaustion due to overly intensive pursuit of a new job.
A prolonged intensive situation is bearable by planning a regular recuperation time in your daily routine. Find quiet and relaxing places ,where the presence of stressors is minimum. It is sensible to take a break after every 1 to 1.5 hours of continuous work and spend it in such an oasis.
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