Working from home has its perks.
You get to work in lounge attire. You avoid the daily commute and you get to save on gas. It also has its negatives, like isolation, distraction from other well-intentioned family members, and blurring the boundary lines and distinctions of when to work and relax. The need to separate work and home while working from home is tough and can bring on stress and burnout.
It’s important to check your mental health during this time you’re working from home.
According to a study by Ginger, 88% of workers stated they’re experiencing moderate to extreme stress.
There are things you can do to take care of your mental health while social distancing and working from home during COVID.
Prioritize a regular schedule
Get enough sleep
Exercise
Eat healthy meals
Limit your news consumption
Get fresh air
Connect with loved ones via Zoom, or any other video conferencing app
Set clear work hours and disconnect from social media at least one hour before going to bed
Managers need to stay in constant communication with their teams and show them they understand that these times are tough. Empathy will go a long way.
Encourage your team to learn new skills through online courses. When possible, meet with your team over Zoom and have everyone share or recommend a good book, song, or website that they think might interest the team.