Staying home 24/7 can have a mental and emotional toll. As time goes by, the days blur together and you find it more and more difficult to stick with your routines. We’re in uncharted territory right now and it’s not unusual to feel a bit out of wack. We are all adjusting to a new normal.
You probably have goals and ambitions, but you might not feel as productive and motivated as you want to be. It may be challenging for you to get into a new routine or follow through on tasks. To thrive right now, you must build a healthy and positive mindset to give you control over your life. Here are 4 brain hacks that will help you stay productive and strong during these uncertain times:
1. Meditation
If you practice yoga regularly then you already know how effective and inspiring meditation is – but if you don’t, here are a few benefits. Meditation can help keep your mind at peace. Minimizing human contact can make you feel lonely which can have a negative impact on your mental health. Meditating helps clear your mind, boost your resilience and help you stay mentally strong. There are lots of YouTube videos that can help you meditate, or you can try apps like Headspace.
2. Rest your body and mind
Everything you see and hear right now is about COVID-19. You’re probably worried about your job, your family, your mental health, and the physical health of your loved ones. So, you’ve got a ton to think about right now. You might feel like you’re in survival mode. That’s why it’s important to give your body and mind the rest they need. That doesn’t just mean getting enough sleep. That’s important too. But you should also take time to do things that make you happy and relaxed like reading, writing, dancing, or watching your favourite TV show.
3. Set boundaries for work
Most people are currently working from home, which can be great. You avoid your daily commute, save money on gas and work in your PJs while sitting comfortably on your couch. But it also blurs the lines between your work and personal lives. The important thing to remember here is quality over quantity. Being productive doesn’t mean working all the time. It means staying on top of your to do list and producing high-quality work. To do this, set clear work hours, designate a physical area just for work, and put your personal phone out of reach; this will help you avoid any distractions.
4. Stay Connected
The Canadian government has encouraged the entire nation to self-isolate and avoid human contact as much as possible. As a result, Sunday dinners with your family, drinks with your colleagues, and get togethers with your friends just aren’t possible anymore. But that doesn’t mean you should avoid socializing, it just means you need to find other ways to stay in touch. You can still have group chats, video calls, play games online, and even have movie nights using Netflix Party.
You can’t control what’s going on around the world, but you can make sure you’re staying healthy physically and mentally. You must keep your mind strong and positive to help you get through this challenging time. A strong mind can help you structure a routine and achieve your goals - both professionally and personally. As the Dalai Lama once said, “a happy mind is a healthy mind, and a healthy mind is good for the body”.