April 28, 2020
Staying Healthy While Working Remotely
As April comes to an end and May is before us, most of us will be facing additional weeks of working remotely. This disrupted workplace is one that some like and others wish it would end soon! Either way there are ways to make the best better in our current situation of using the same space for work and home life. Last week I shared best practices for maintaining your physical health while working remotely. This week our focus will be on mental health with some tips and tricks related to isolation well-being.
• Take some time to clean and bring order to one thing or space. I have used this time to clean up my electronic files and email. I was never a good filier when we used hard copies, only organized piles on my desk. As we have transitioned to electronic files and communication I was no better. I had thousands of emails in my in box and my desk top was full of unorganized documents. It has been very therapeutic to look through all of this "junk" and such a sense of accomplishment with my new elctronic order.
• Tend to something growing or living. I do not have a green thumb or pets. However, I have thoroughly enjoyed tending to my seedling tomato and pepper plants that my grandsons started for me. My husband even complimented me recently on being a “great tomato tender.”
• Reach out to a human outside of your home. I have a friend I used to go out to lunch with once a week. Now, we take turns calling each other every Sunday evening. When I called her this past weekend she answered “is this our weekly check-in?” It brings some sense of routine to both of our lives.
• Do one thing you will be glad you did later. I have taken this time to reflect on past programming and plan for future programming. In Extension, we have historically scrambled to prepare and when it is over we are quick to go on to another thing. This time of pause has given me the opportunity to truly evaluate the impact of past programming as well as think about potential programming that will focus on recovery and resiliency. This has provided hope for the future.
• Do one thing just because you want to. I have used this time to take up knitting. Last count was 24 dishrags and have not been to the store for yarn yet! As I knit I have found myself reflecting back on my 4-H knitting leader in Graham County, Kansas from fifty years ago and thinking about learning not only knitting but how to handle whatever life brings you.
The Health and Well Being Institute from UW Division of Extension shared the following 4-7-8 breath exercise to reduce stress in 5 minutes or less:
- Take in a breath through your nose to the count of 4. Make sure your belly expands as you breathe in; shoulders should not rise.
- Hold your breath to the count of 7
- Exhale through your mouth to the count of 8
- Repeat 2-4 times
Do not try to do all of the above suggestions this week or you will just add to your stress level. Pick out one or two that resonate with you and see if it helps you as much as it has me while continuing to balance work and life in the same space!