Managing Working-From-Home Stress
2020 was a year of change and adjustment for many. COVID-19 brought Working-From-Home (WFH) to workforces all around the world — and it looks to be a more permanent arrangement for some, whether fully or partially. While WFH may have felt novel at the beginning, it also came with adjustments and changes in our lifestyles that may feel uncomfortable, even stressful.
Here’s the good news: you’re not alone in adjusting to this new mode of working. Better yet, there are some simple things you can do to reduce the stress for yourself and, even help those around you too!
Structure and Routines
We’ve heard the drill many times while growing up: kids need structure and routines in their lives to build discipline and predictability in their lives. But guess what, adults need routines and structure too. Structure and routines can help give us a sense of control over some areas of our lives. However, the pandemic has brought about several changes in our daily work and/or studying routines, breaking the routines and structures we are so used to having. This may in turn inadvertently cause us to feel stressed and anxious. Hence, it is important to try to replicate, as far as possible, or rebuild some of these structures we have.
Try your best to maintain a daily rhythms pre-pandemic by engaging in similar routines in your home setting. This can mean starting and ending work according to your office hours, engaging in usual routines to prepare for a working day — shower, get dressed, oreven change into your office attire to ready yourself for work. . Set up a comfortable workspace at home and keep that workspace physically away from the areas where you engage in leisure activities. This allows your body and mind to differentiate between work and leisure, which sets crucial boundaries in your home setting for you and makes the WFH experience more comfortable.
The structure and routines don’t always have to be strict or tight or mechanical - allow some space for flexibility and changes here and there!
Dose of Happiness
We all need our dose of happiness, pandemic or not. Many of us often attempt to see what others are doing and replicate those, with the expectation that what makes others happy would do the same for us. However, the crux of getting our dose of happiness lies in the word “our” - meaning whatever we engage in should be making us happy, not making others happy. Some people enjoy cooking, others enjoy listening to music, or exercising. Choose activities that work for you and make you feel good. Remember that activities do not always have to be physical - it can be as simple as just chilling and watching Netflix, singing in your bathroom etc (not gonna lie, exercising isn’t exactly my dose of happiness though). Take your dose of happiness at a pace that is manageable, peaceful and relaxing for you - it would be counterintuitive if you get stressed up about having to reduce your discomfort and stress.
Social Connections
Humans are innately social creatures Even introverts are not meant to be alone for extended periods of time. Staying connected with others often brings us comfort in the midst of difficult times.
With the pandemic however, we may not be able to spend time with our loved ones as regularly as we would like to - at least physically. This is where technological advancements come into play - so pick up your phones and dial your grandparents’ number; make that video call (it’s awkward at the start but it gets better) to your friends; arrange a virtual birthday bash with that bunch of hilarious friends. While we may not be able to meet our loved ones physically, we can still remain connected to them virtually and emotionally. And if you are not living alone at home, take time to play with your kids, spend time with your parents and/or partners, and if you have pets at home, spend time with them too!
Simple Joys in the Old and New
Every other day, we see people engaging in new hobbies on social media - cooking, baking, making dalgona coffee etc. And you know what, you can do it too! These projects don’t have to always be something big or social media worthy (heck, they don’t even have to be on social media). It could be something simple such as organising that messy drawer you have had for a while but did not have the time to clear it, cooking a simple meal (hey, instant noodles are counted) or even starting a small project like colouring or drawing a portrait together with your loved ones. Doing things like these can inject some sense of control for yourself in the midst of the pandemic where we feel many things are out of control.
Cut Yourself Some Slack
“I suck.”, “I could have done better.”, “She is coping so well with this, why can’t I be the same?” Somehow or rather, we are often our harshest critics. But we don’t hear ourselves saying the same harsh statements to those around us, do we? Do remember be kind to yourself and cut yourself some slack. The pandemic is not a normal situation that occurs - all of us are adjusting to the situation, to new work settings and to new changes to structures and processes. It is okay to struggle, it is okay to take time to manage, it is okay to feel the way you do and it is perfectly okay if you are not okay.
Take care folks!
Anthea Chua currently works as a Counsellor at a family service centre. Drawing from her experience working with a broad range of demographics as a case worker, youth probation officer, child protection officer and counselling psychologist, Anthea takes a holistic view towards empowering individuals by working closely with them and using various tools for mental wellness.
