Category: Management Tips

With the emergence of COVID-19, more and more companies are now transitioning to the new normal for work – the work-from-home (WFH) setup. Big businesses like Microsoft, Google, and Gap have responded to this call. For them, the safety of their employees is their primary concern. If they can do their work efficiently and productively at home, then why risk it outside?

Some have now experienced this work environment in the past months due to the pandemic. However, many voiced out that it’s not as easy as they thought it was going to be. 

Clinical psychologist Kevin Gillliland, PsyD says, “Working from home can be more challenging than it seems.” The executive director of Innovation 360, an outpatient group of counselors and therapists adds, “Your home is filled with distractions you simply don’t encounter at work, especially if you have other people living, working, or trying to get school work done.”

With this in mind, here are some tips on how you can handle your stress amid the WFH approach. 

Avoid A Too Formal Business Meeting Throughout

When working remotely, there is a tendency to stick with formal business meetings. It is far away from the serendipitous collaborations, which happen when you’re face-to-face with your colleagues. Some examples of these informal encounters include chatting every after meetings, having a joke with them, stopping by your co-worker’s desks, and catching up in the pantry.

The only problem with WFH is that these video conferences eliminate these tender acts. Going with purely business conversations throughout the meeting only stresses you out. The best way to go about this is to schedule a time for informal discussions.

Read Minimal News

While keeping up to date is vital, the World Health Organization (WHO) reminded the public that this might only be bad for our mental health. Continually reading and watching negative news only adds to the stress you feel.

Given that you’re at home, you have access to these media outlets anytime. Compare this to the restrictions you face while at work since you’re not allowed to open your social media accounts anytime you want. 

When working from home, stick to one working tab only. Do not deviate from your work to check on the latest news. Focus on finishing your tasks so that your emotions are not all over the place. 

Ask For Help

Having a non-existent boundary between work and home is stressful. Since you’re just at home, you tend to get stressed with your pending house chores and errands. Having too many tasks on your plate, both for your job and at home, this will only be a primary source of anxiety. 

To help you balance everything, don’t hesitate to ask for help from your partner, spouse, other family members, or friends you’re living with. Delegate tasks to the people around you so that you’ll feel more relaxed. If the work is getting to your head more often than usual, BetterHelp can give you mental help.

Schedule Your Exercise

Getting some physical activity during this stressful time is essential. You can establish a work-out schedule every day, and block this off from your calendar. Since you can’t go to the gym, you can download some exercise apps or just put songs that you can dance out. 

You may also ask your co-workers to join your cause by making this a virtual group activity. Invite your colleagues for a quick video call, put on a Youtube fitness video, and exercise your heart. 

Take Mini Breaks

It’s too draining for you if you work for hours straight. Instead, step away from your laptop and stand up even for ten minutes to stretch. This mini-break will help you relax and stay focused. Several studies in Sweden revealed that students who were given short breaks before answering a test scored higher than those who didn’t get a chance to relax. 

There are also apps that you can use to help you sustain this practice. Mollie, a Time Out app for Mac users, serves as an alarm clock. It reminds you that you have been staring at the computer for a while already. Aside from this, it will also encourage you to walk around, stretch, grab a snack, or change your sitting position. 

Aside from taking off your physical health, so you won’t be susceptible to the virus, you should also handle your mental health. This pandemic is taking a toll on us, and add to this the continuous stress that you get from the work-from-home setup. Just follow these four tips so you’ll be able to manage these negativities. 

With all the things happening in the world right now, it can take a toll on your emotional health. You’re not alone. Sudden changes in a person’s life and daily routine can result in mood swings, withdrawal, and overall impact on physical health. It’s essential to keep your state of mind in check while you’re in quarantine and isolation from the people you used to see regularly.

As the world continues to manage the cases of COVID-19, you have to remain calm and healthy for yourself and other people. Here are some ways on how to manage stress and anxiety during the COVID-19 Outbreak:

Accept Your Emotions

You have to understand that feeling scared, sad, confused, or angry at the time of a crisis is normal. Don’t think that you have to keep your emotions on lock. Once you accept your feelings, you can express them with ease. Do remember that feeling emotions mean you care.

Contact The People You Trust

Even when everyone is in isolation, you can talk with your loved ones easily through the use of technology. Confer with them when you’re feeling overwhelmed. It can help to soothe your mind and release your worries. Knowing the safety of the people you care about can also help you to remain relaxed. You don’t have to hold your emotions all by yourself.

Don’t solely talk about the COVID-19 Outbreak. Although it’s important to stay alert with your loved ones, it will be helpful to take a break for a while. You can talk about funny life stories and thoroughly enjoy each other’s company.

Maintain A Healthy Lifestyle

Even when you’re at home, staying healthy should still be a priority. Exercising, maintaining a proper diet, and getting a good night’s sleep help to relieve stress, release anxiety, and manage moods. Even without gym equipment, you can break a sweat in your home. You can search for free online classes or exercise videos on Youtube.

Since we’re currently facing a pandemic, remaining healthy can shield you from the risks as well. And with how the virus is spreading, staying healthy also means protecting other people who might be at risk.

Avoid Drinking Or Smoking

It will be harder for you to cope with your emotions if you don’t practice healthy habits. Alcohol can make you feel worse than before, as it is a depressant. If you’re feeling extreme stress and anxiety, you can contact a health worker or a counselor.

Only Read News From Credible Sources

As much as staying updated on recent developments is essential, seeing news that only promotes hate and inaccuracy can hurt your mental health. Knowing credible sources means you will only get the correct information. It can avoid panic and allows you to carefully manage your risk so that you can take sensible precautions.

Remember to only share articles from credible sources to avoid causing the panic of others as well. If it’s getting overwhelming, limit the time you’re watching the news. You can tell your friends or family to share the news with you instead.

Limit Your Usage Of Social Media 

If anxiety is an ongoing issue, you can log off when things are getting a little too much because social media can be toxic. Stay mindful of how social media is making you feel. You can mute people or keywords that are worsening your anxiety.

Focus On The Things You Have Control Of

There are so many uncertainties surrounding our lives today. We don’t know how long this may extend, the condition of other people, or what’s going to happen in our communities. But if we focus on the things we don’t have the answer yet, we will only feel more drained and anxious over time.

Instead, direct your attention to the things that you can have control over. You can make sure to restrict the risks of the COVID-19 cases in your community through your actions. Remain at home as much as you can, secure social distancing, maintain proper hygiene, and follow health authorities.

Practice Self-Care Even When In Isolation

Remain kind to yourself and make choices beneficial for your state of mind. Maintain a routine as firmly as you can, stick to your regular sleep, read a good book, watch movies, play games (https://www.familyhype.com/children/childrens-products/games/xbox/what-are-the-best-xbox-360-games-for-10-year-old-boy.html), cook, or make art. You can also try meditating and yoga to maintain a sense of normalcy in your life. Try to get sunshine as much as you can if possible.

Always remember that we’re all in this together. You can recover a sense of purpose and relief by caring for yourself, helping others, and supporting communities. Follow guidelines and look after yourself so you can continue to be a calming influence in devastating times like this.

If you are in a relationship, you are familiar with the feeling of distress over small things. Fighting for insignificant reasons is toxic, but it can be prevented. You have the choice to be stressed or not. The state of your relationship depends on how you perceive things like treating a problem as a problem. When you do not make a big deal out of a small mistake, there wouldn’t be any misunderstandings or arguments.

Continue reading “Don’t Stress Yourself Out Over The Small Things He Does Wrong”

Technology has made it possible for mommies to work at the comfort of their home. They don’t have to worry about leaving their babies with the nanny or think about not having to cook dinner for the family, and it certainly doesn’t make her less of a mom or wife because she can still do her duties.

 

“Research tells us that this is a common experience for those under stress. That everyone experiences stress and up to a certain level it can be helpful. Yet, stress can negatively impact one’s normal daily functioning or health.” Edna M. Esnil, PsyD said. But whoever said it is easy? Having to work and be a mom at the same time is double the stress. Imagine all the toxicity at work and all the pressure about doing all the chores at home combined! That’s how stressful it is for work-at-home moms.

 

It is vital that mommies get the rest they deserve, or too much stress from work and chores could affect their overall health. Sometimes, we overestimate them that we forget they are humans also. They get tired and need to rest from time to time, but time is the main problem for mothers. They seem to have no time for themselves!

 

If you are one of those moms who are in dire need of relaxation, yes, you deserve it! It doesn’t need you to be away, and it would not take too much of your time. You can do some of the simple de-stressing while you are at home.

 

Simple Ways Stay-At-Home Moms Can Relax And Be Stress-Free:

 

 

1. Allocate at least 30 minutes each morning for You can sip some tea, meditate, or do yoga. It is up to you what you want to do with this free time as long as you are alone and there is nothing else in your mind but yourself. Marla W. Deibler, PsyD suggests that “Deep breathing encourages our body’s relaxation response. Other calming and stress-reducing activities include progressive muscle relaxation, guided imagery, Tai chi and yoga.”

 

2. In the morning before you work or do chores, do some stretching. It will get rid of the tension from your muscles allowing you to feel energized and refreshed. Clinical psychologist Jenny C. Yip, PsyD said, “For starters, exercise releases endorphins, the body’s “feel-good hormones,” that can calm the mind and relax the body.”

 

3. Set the alarm for all the things you need to do, or you could also write them down on a paper and post it where you will always see it. Indicate which time and which task you’re going to do. It will allow you to organize your day and prevent you from forgetting to do something.

 

4. Drink plenty of water. If you are in front of a computer for eight longs hours or so, it is advisable that you keep a bottle of water beside you. It is good for the body because it prevents

 

5. Go out every weekend. Watch a movie with friends or pamper yourself in a salon. Have a massage or your nails done. Do something that will benefit you mentally and emotionally. Andrea Bonior, PhD, clinical psychologist expresses that “Whether you suffer from seasonal affective disorder or not, the evidence is strong that getting outside just for a little bit can be very helpful.”

 

Having to do these things doesn’t make you less of a mother. But taking care of yourself, even though doesn’t seem it, is one way to love the people around you. You need to feel good physically, emotionally, and physically to take care of your family more.

 

Loving your husband and kids requires you to be healthy and lively. The mood of the entire house depends on your mood that’s why it is vital to take good care of yourself as well. Never think of it as a selfish act. It only means you love your family more because you are way past the need to feel happy with them, but you see through the necessity of being well and healthy to be there for them.

Being surrounded by good people is essential to our wellbeing. It determines our peace and harmony which are vital to a happy life. Choosing the right neighborhood is critical for gaining an abundant and fruitful relationship within the community.

Continue reading “How To Promote A Stress-Free Neighborhood”