Now that we are all locked in our respective cages, let’s talk about cabin fever.
To a certain extent, we are all control freaks. Right now, our level of control has been diminished and we hate that. In fact, it makes us angry.
Since the various shelter in place rules have gone into effect, how many of you have had the “what day is it” moment?
That happens because our daily (and I mean each day) routines have been shattered.
The simple example is going to the gym. What might have been, Monday – chest and arms, Wednesday – legs and back, Friday – aerobic for many has now become, Monday – hit the snooze button, Wednesday – 1 sit-up, Friday – coffee mug curls.
In addition, your daily workspace might not be the optimal setup. You know, it’s the room we designated but never painted or put any effort into making feel good. Or it might be your designated “throw everything on the floor in there” room.
So how do we stop this anxiety?
ROUTINE
No one has said you can’t go outside…so take a social distancing walk (run if you are into it) every morning but choose a daily specific path, it will help you remember what day it is. Break it up by riding a bike (stationary/mountain/street/all of the above on different days).
If you are watching the news all day, stop. Set up specific times and only watch it then. Play with your Good Morning Google app and have it tell you a joke first.
WORKPLACE OPTIMIZATION
As a consultant, one of my gigs has been workplace optimization. Here is the thing, in this circumstance it doesn’t have to be perfect. Set aside time, you can afford it, to create a workspace that makes you comfortable. The things you use frequently should be nearby, there should be pictures or inspirational items that you can use as an escape when you need to think. Even that stationary bike you are using as a clothes hanger could help the home office.
Now, if you are in a position where you must share the home office, oh boy, you might have to make some adjustments to prevent added stress. If schedules allow, you might want to designate times for each of you alone in the office. Allow for some undisturbed in house “commute” time (office to coffee pot and back, etc.), and daycare time if needed in the event the kiddos need to blow off steam that the sound canceling headphones can’t help with.
You may want to repurpose a flatscreen TV as a monitor if you don’t have a large enough monitor or maybe so you can binge watch while working.
The point is, working from home, from time to time, is something we all enjoy when we choose to do it. But in these challenging times of change, working from home can keep us close to the people, pets and things that make us feel safer. Don’t forget that and don’t let the stress of working from home make home less than what it is, your safe place.
All of you stay safe and healthy.