Let’s face it - the 2019 Coronavirus pandemic has changed our lives within such a small amount of time. We went from charging through our normal, day-to-day schedules to being homebound, with or without jobs. Being stuck at home is not easy and you may have noticed that it has been more difficult to stay organized or keep on top of things like you used to during normal times. Your daily to-do lists might be getting longer while it feels like your time and motivation are plummeting. You might also notice that you are not even taking a break during your remote shifts, staying up later and sleeping in longer. These are all factors that can throw someone out of their momentum.
While you are on lockdown, it is important to stick to a normal routine so you feel like your life is still as productive as ever. In a way, we are all wired to want some sort of stability or dependability. We want to make certain of our schedules so that what we know how to balance our lives.
Can keeping a routine really make things better?
Yes, in fact keeping a routine will help you become more efficient in your day-to-day activities. For example, let’s say part of your job is to look up research articles but you find that you can’t focus on this task for more than a few minutes. If you start to schedule at least an hour of your time each day to do this, you will end up using your time more efficiently because you know that one-hour is solely dedicated to this task. Try this out with some of your day-to-day responsibilities and see how it helps you cross those tasks off your to-do list!
Who will benefit from a routine?
Everyone in your household - especially your children. Children may be more confused about COVID-19 so they may suffer from anxiety or depression at this time. Keeping them busy with school work, fun activities or even Zoom calls with their friends can help them stay comforted. Here are 87 fun things to do at home with your kids during lockdown!
How can I get started?
Use a planner - it will seriously help you stay organized. Plus, checking off tasks throughout the day can be so satisfying! On a Sunday night, write out your upcoming week’s worth of work, home and personal duties in order of importance. Use this as a guide to plan your schedule for the week so each day is balanced.
What if after creating your list, you realize you can tackle more? You could incorporate workouts, cooking more by trying new recipes, or scheduling in time for coffee breaks. You can even try to incorporate self-care into your routine. Start by giving yourself 10-minutes in the morning or afternoon to do a face mask - like a mini spa time! Interested in spending a little more than 10-minutes? Check out these 10 steps to give yourself an at-home spa night. Try to come up with unique ways to utilize your time to fit your desires and schedule. Just keep in mind that you should be realistic and not overwhelm yourself with too many tasks that are completely new to you at once.
When should I start my new routine?
Start NOW - The earlier the better! This process may be a bit challenging at first, but you will quickly learn your capabilities of being more productive and feeling more balanced at home. And don’t feel bad if you feel off on some days - it happens. Just get back on your feet and check off the things that you did accomplish. There is no reason to ever feel discouraged as this is a learning process for all of us!
Stay safe and stay well.
Learn more about Wellness Workdays and our program offerings by downloading our brochure.
Written by: Gianisha Duran, Wellness Workdays Intern
Sources:
1. Altamed