Isolation Wellbeing - Part Two - Work

Isolation Wellbeing - Part Two - Work

by Lana Mepham - Marketing & Events Manager @ Goho

Following on from our top tips on enjoying play as part of your isolation wellbeing (read the last post here), we thought we’d share our thoughts on how to tackle the more mundane - work.

Many of us have only had occasional times when we would be working from home, and with the shift to it being a regular fixture, there are additional distractions, demands and lessons to be learnt. So read on for some suggestions on how to navigate your new work life, keep the lines of communication open and balance your work / life commitments and your mental health.

Phone calls & Video Chats 

As a team we catch up over Hangouts every single morning. We check in with everyone and go through the priorities for the day. This is a nice way to start work and check in with everyone’s wellbeing. When you’re in the office these conversations are natural and regular and can be one of the things you miss when working from home. It can also help you to feel less isolated and more part of the team. 

Take Regular Breaks 

During the working week, take regular breaks throughout the day. It’s easy to get into the habit of thinking that because you’re working from home you have to be available all the time and skip breaks so that the team don’t think you’re slacking. But we recommend trying to take breaks throughout the day. Just let your boss know you’re going to log off before you do so! 

Go for your daily walk or run, put some music on and have a dance or just take a short break to make a cup of tea! 

Juggling childcare with EVERYTHING. 

For many of us, there’s the added stress of having your little un’s at home. Our Head of Marketing, Liv, has her one year old daughter at home and has the below tips to share. 

Create a routine for your kids - and the adults! It took a little while, but my husband and I have created a rota of when we are working and when we are looking after Isla. It’s made it a lot easier as we can be super clear with work when we can be and can’t be online - while keeping Isla happy.

Make sure you’re taking time for yourselves! It’s easy to think because you’re off work for the next hour to look after the little ones, that’s your break. But did you actually get a break? Or were you running around trying to get everyone fed/ cleaned/ sorted out? Burn out can come from parenting too so make sure you have some time throughout the day or in the evening just for yourself. 

Morning Routine 

So for those who aren't regular working from homers - the first day may have seen you waking up at 9.25 and rolling to your desk. We know it’s tempting and a bit of a novelty - but in the long run, this can mean you miss out on looking after yourself in small yet essential ways.

Try and treat the work day as you normally would. Most of us are used to a fairly strict morning routine in order to get ourselves to the office, but now you don’t have the commute time so let yourself have that little extra shut-eye without the guilt (or being late). But still get up with some time to shower, have breakfast, go for a run, whatever you like to do in the mornings and would have done before getting to the office anyway.

Keeping a small sense of normality in these trying times should help you keep that separation between work and play. We promise you will really notice a difference and feel more ‘normal’. 

Check out our previous blog on how to better enjoy play during your isolation also, if there was ever a time to try new things it’s now!