Your say / coronavirus
‘This is an opportunity to design a day that works for you’
You normally work in an office. You’ve got a routine; you do very similar things each day. You have lunch between midday and 2pm and you often go to the same place to buy it. You leave home at 8am and head home between 6pm and 7pm. You have ‘x’ number of meetings a week and you see the same colleagues every day.
But now you’re at home with your family, or possibly just you. You don’t have the same structure, do the same things or see the same people. You still have meetings and calls, but they’re not the same online.
How can you retain some form of sanity working from home under lockdown? How can you create a routine and a structure which helps you feel motivated, connected and energised?
is needed now More than ever
Start your day with a morning routine which you have consciously chosen. Choose not to roll out of bed straight onto your phone, perhaps into social media or work emails.
How can you start your day feeling good? How can you raise your energy levels before you start working? How can you invest in yourself first?
Here are some ideas to explore:
- Ten minutes of yoga or stretching. Support your local studio by accessing their online offerings.
- Ten minutes of meditation. Try Headspace or Calm; both have free content.
- Make a breakfast that is totally different to the norm; our brains love new stuff. Check out Instagram for inspiration.
- Check in with how you’re feeling and record it in a journal. Write down three things you’re grateful for, despite the challenges right now, and five things you achieved the day before.
Plan your movement for that day, or perhaps the week. Schedule in sessions, whether it’s with yourself or the online version of yoga, gyms, dance or whatever you’re into. Having it planned means it will happen and will break up your day.
Amy Newton at her gym
Choose to get up from your desk at least once an hour. Set yourself an alarm and then promise to yourself that you will move in some way for one minute. Walk about, stretch, dance to a favourite song. If you want to feel good, it’s important for your body not to feel stiff and static.
Connect with a friend who is supportive and encouraging. Avoid exposing yourself to as much negative energy and influence as possible.
Helping each other is very important, and to be able to support others, ensuring you’re feeling balanced is essential. Give to yourself, by having positive conversations with others, not dwelling on the news or worrying, as much as you can.
Remember that this will end and there will be new opportunities at the end of it.
Choose your food consciously throughout the day. At times of struggle, lack of routine and perhaps boredom, it’s really easy to rely on quick energy and convenience foods.
Swat up on nutrition information regarding good immunity or foods that give you sustained energy and ensure you’re eating a minimum of three of these a day. Make sure that your lunch is healthful and fun, something to look forward to and a conscious break from working.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B6_M73HBrA-/
Embrace the change and the freedom it brings, even though it can feel hard. When old structures and routines are paused, we have the ability to redefine our day. This can feel scary and overwhelming, so start with one thing.
How do you want your day to look like and feel? Take into account, of course, your work provider’s requirements, and outside that, work with what you want.
How can you make your day more fun? More relaxing? More enjoyable? Get creative; this is a killer opportunity to design a day that works for you. Then you’ll have the power to continue to design your day when you go back to the office.
Amy Newton is the owner and head coach at The Warrior Programme and is currently online. Find out more about The Warrior Programme at www.thewarriorprogramme.co.uk.
All photos courtesy of Kayleigh Gresty Photography
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