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Working from home is a lifestyle for some but for many it will be a new experience brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Along with social distancing, it’s a tough adjustment if you get a lot of enjoyment and energy from being out and about.
It’s normal to experience anxiety as we contemplate this extended period of working from home and social distancing. While you might be unable to do some of the activities that would usually calm those feelings, there are plenty of ways you can fight anxious feelings during this time.
Remember to switch off
Once the work day is done, step away from your computer. Have a shower, start making dinner or do a home work-out. Whatever it takes to stop staring at a screen for a short while. Your eyes need the break, and your brain needs a chance to de-stress from all the work. It’s easy to keep going beyond normal hours because you’re already at home, but don’t fall into that trap!
Meditate
There’s infinite resources online to guide you through meditative practices. YouTube offers a multitude of relaxing yoga sessions, while mobile apps like Headspace and Calm can take you on guided meditations of varying lengths. Take a moment to take some deep breaths and loosen your body. Maybe play some SBS Chill in the background.
Make plans
Obviously making plans to go for drinks and dinner isn’t on the agenda right now. But the internet is a beautiful thing and it’s helping us stay connected more than ever. Reach out to your friends and family, and make those interactions fun. Host a trivia night via Skype, get your friends onto Netflix Party and chat your way through a trashy movie, or play games online with them.
Declutter
Now is the perfect time to do that deep clean you’ve been ignoring. Dig through those drawers full of paperwork, finally try on those old clothes to see if they still fit and donate what you don’t need anymore. Take this opportunity to really consider the value of your possessions, and take a page out of Marie Kondo’s book to declutter your life!
Listen to relaxing music
If you’re someone who likes to keep busy, having relaxing music playing in the background can play an important role in soothing you. Give SBS Chill a go - it’ll keep you company with easy-listening tunes while allowing you to concentrate on whatever you’ve got going on, whether you’re working, reading, or something else!
Finally, remember that it’s okay to do nothing at all. It’s easy to fall into the pattern of thinking we have to make all this time in self-isolation productive, and just that thought itself can cause anxiety. It’s okay to sit and contemplate, watch a movie, or scroll through social media, so long as it brings you peace of mind and comfort during this time.
This is general information and is not intended as medical advice. If you have specific concerns about your mental health, consult your doctor or seek the advice of an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
Beyond Blue and Lifeline have advice on how to care for your mental well-being during COVID-19, with a focus on the importance of connection, perspective, routine and being generous to others. Lifeline also offers a toolkit on managing mental health while working from home.
If you need to talk to someone during this time, you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636, 24 hours a day.
This is general information and is not intended as medical advice. If you have specific concerns about your mental health, consult your doctor or seek the advice of an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
