Our work habits have been disrupted by the coronavirus outbreak, along with all our other routines. Frustration seems to be the norm sometimes, and the prolonged lockdown takes its toll on most people. Under these circumstances is it really possible to stay productive?
The answer is yes, but you must stay compassionate toward yourself and make self-care a priority. Read on to learn how.
Accept Difficult Feelings to Stay Productive
If you want to stay productive during the coronavirus outbreak, the fist step is acknowledging that this is not a normal situation and accepting the difficult feelings that come with these extraordinary circumstances. You may be feeling depleted, tired or lonely. Those are all normal reactions to the current situation. Give space to those feelings and vent with someone you trust, if necessary. Don’t keep your discomfort to yourself, as pent-up emotions can manifest in anxiety or unexpected outbursts.
Make Self-Care a Priority
Remote work blurs the line between our personal and professional lives. Make sure to not sacrifice self-care in this process. Set aside enough time to rest and allow yourself to relax doing something you find enjoyable. Meditation, exercise, massages and making sure you eat healthy food are some of the activities you can consider adding to your self-care routine. In order to stay productive you must feel fresh and energized, and only self-care can put you in that state of mind.
Get Enough Sleep
Working from home and having your everyday routine upended may have a direct impact on your sleep habits. We already mentioned self-care above, but sleeping deserves a special mention. Working too much may lead to insufficient sleep, which in turn may affect your work. Stay away from this negative spiral. Make sure to get seven to eight hours of sleep every night and try to avoid electronic devices one hour prior to going to bed.
Avoid Multitasking When Possible
Multitasking is one of the greatest temptations faced by those working remotely. After all, what can make you feel more productive that doing a lot of things at the same time? The truth is that the benefits of multitasking are more psychological than factual. Moreover, multitasking could be counterproductive, as it makes you lose focus and favor easier tasks, neglecting the most complex items on your queue.