How to stay sane during the COVID-19 Crisis

These are unprecedented times. Nobody could have imagined that the situation would get as bad as it is now. However, this is also a time for great hope. It is important to understand that, while this period is difficult, it is also bound to end. Till that time, it is important to stay calm and positive, so that when the world recovers, we are prepared to hit the ground running.

There are 2 main topics that I feel that need to be discussed during this important period- Financial Security and Mental Health. Both are linked to each other. It is natural to feel anxious as Job Losses are a very real possibility during this period. I want to highlight a step-by-step approach that can help in dealing with the situation. A lot of the steps highlighted have been gleaned from a lot of reading that I have been able to do for the past few weeks. Following are the Steps:

1.     Have a Budget

2.     Stick to a Schedule

3.     Adhere to a To-do List

4.     Indulge in some sort of Physical activity.

5.     Spend time with Family & Loved ones.

6.     Schedule ‘Me’ Time

7.     Practice Intentional Gratitude

8.     Upskill

9.     Be Selective about the Media you consume.

Have a Budget:

Many professionals are now faced with a real possibility of losing their Jobs. Employers are trying their level best to stay afloat. But the uncertainty of the situation is causing a lot if distress. Pay cuts for multiple employees have already been announced. Therefore, it is imperative that all of us undertake some sort of Austerity measures to tide over this period. The good thing is that this quarantine period has already cut down most of our disposable income spends. We are not spending anything on Public Transport. Eating out expenses have been eliminated, and shopping has been restricted to essential purchases. We need to be very rational about the savings that we may have to dip into during this period. Some unavoidable expenses like School Fees, Installments etc will come up. Speak to Schools and Financial Institutions to work out a mutually agreeable solution. Have a monthly budget and track adherence to said budget at regular intervals, so that gaps may be addressed.

Stick to a Schedule:

A lot of us are now working from Home. When the quarantine was announced and employees were instructed to work from home, there was a lot of enthusiasm about the new ‘Work from Home’ movement. The same was the case for me as well. However, within a week of the quarantine, my enthusiasm fizzled out. I started missing the face-to-face interactions with my colleagues. Also, working from home may lead to indiscipline and procrastination creeping in. It is important to stick to a schedule, as close to what you were following at the Office. This will give a sense of purpose and direction to every day. This sense of Purpose and Direction will ensure that you have a positive mindset and something to look forward to every day.

Adhere to a To- Do List:

A To-do List has similar benefits to having a set schedule. A To Do list will make you more productive. The sense of accomplishment that is felt when ticking off items from your To Do List will lead to a positive mindset.  A Positive mindset will be a great asset during this difficult period. Being more productive will ensure that you are an asset to your organization and a valued Team Member.

Indulge in some sort of Physical Activity:

The Quarantine has restricted any sort of outdoor physical activity. All of us have had to forego our Morning Jogs or evening Bicycling. It is but natural to feel lethargic on occasion as we are stuck indoors most of the time. Therefore, it is important to indulge in some sort of physical activity indoors. You may start by volunteering to do the dishes twice a day, or even doing/ folding the laundry. For more strenuous exercises, you may consider skipping, squats, push ups, crunches etc. Research has shown that daily physical activities release endorphins in the body, which have a positive impact on the mind and body. We need to be prepared to be in good physical condition once the quarantine ends.

Spend time with Family & Loved Ones:

This quarantine has given us a once in a lifetime opportunity to spend time with our Family and Loved ones. Under normal circumstances, our busy schedules do not allow us to find the right amount of time with our family. We need to schedule at least one family activity a day, so as to make the most of this. Playing board games, helping your child with school work, or even dancing crazily like no one is watching with your partner and kids all count as time well spent. However, it is important to note that we should not include times spent in front of screens as ‘spending quality time’. Use the quarantine as an opportunity to reconnect and grow closer to your partner and children.

Schedule ‘Me’ Time:

The quarantine period can be used to indulge in something you are passionate about. This should ideally be an individual activity and should not be related to your Job. This activity should act as a Stress buster. It could be anything you love doing. For some it could be cooking, while for others, it could be Reading. For me personally, I have always wanted to write. This enforced break has now given me the opportunity to indulge in something which I enjoy. It is important to let your creativity flow and not worry about the end result. Don’t be concerned about how the painting looks, or if the piece you have written does not satisfy others. The important thing is to stay busy and doing what you enjoy.

Practice Intentional Gratitude:

I have had the opportunity to read a lot of material about Intentional Gratitude by a lot of competent writers. This practice will also help you to reduce anxiety levels. In very simple terms, Intentional Gratitude means being thankful for what you have, rather than worrying about what you don’t. This Crisis has a us all worried about our future. But we need to understand that there are few people who are even more unfortunate than us. We need to be thankful for what we have, because there are people out there who are unfortunate to not have even a fraction of what we have. Intentional Gratitude will keep you stress free and will ensure that you stay in a Positive Frame of mind.

Upskill:

It is important to use the time that is given to us as productively as possible. We now have a lot of Free time on our hand. A lot will change when the Pandemic ends. We need to be prepared for the changing business environment. Different skills will be in demand. There are multiple avenues to upskill oneself, be it either LinkedIn courses or multiple other online Portals. Even time spent reading Management literature or something that concerns your area of expertise, is time well spent. The Focus should be on building your knowledge base and skills. 

Be Selective about the Media you consume:

The WHO has described the crisis as a Pandemic as well as an Infodemic. We are inundated with multiple sources of Information. A Lot of the Media outlets tend to sensationalize news in an effort to improve Ratings. To sensationalize news, the news outlets tend to promote all news as bad news. Viewing content that is pessimistic is bound to increase anxiety and stress levels. However, not all events happening in the World are bad news. Good Stuff is also happening. Also, consuming content that is genuine and sensible will give us a better perspective of what is happening in the World. It will allow us to make better business and personal decisions.

To Summarize, it can be said that the current Generation has not experienced something like this before. We can either choose to be negative about this, or we may choose to be hopeful. Being Hopeful will allow us to deal with this situation and be better prepared for when it ends. It is important to understand that we have a choice, and that we need to make the right choice.