Pay attention to your remote employees’ mental health.

The COVID-19 lockdown has left many people feeling a variety of emotions, most of which aren’t good. The World Health Organization assures us it’s okay to “feel sad, stressed, confused, scared, or angry during a crisis”. As we continue to work from home, we can do steps to handle the said emotions we might be feeling. This is essential in keeping your composure, especially if you have kids or loved ones at home.

Here are several mental health tips for current remote workers.

1. Maintain Healthy Routines

Staying at home all the time might make your body feel lazy or unmotivated. You might miss daily routines like working out, walking to work, or getting food at commercial establishments. However, doing self-quarantine doesn’t stop anyone from maintaining these routines. WHO recommends that you “engage in healthy activities that you enjoy and find relaxing, exercise regularly, keep regular sleep routines and eat healthy food.” Continue eating fruits or vegetables instead of relying on canned or processed food for sustenance. Also, add meditation to your morning routine to practice clarity.

2. Filter Your Social Media Feeds

News outlets mention the “infodemic” buzzword nowadays, and it describes the spread of disinformation in this context of the COVID-19 virus. As a remote-working employee, you already have enough tasks on your mind, so make sure not to get swayed or alarmed by false news. Check links on the article to see if they’re from legitimate sources. (Here are more tips to decode fake Covid19 news) To lessen distraction, limit your exposure to updates by seeking them at certain times of the day, ideally after work. This way, you’ll get to focus and have more peace of mind.

3. Establish Work-Life Boundaries

Because you work at home, make it a point to have a workstation separate or far from your sleeping quarters. This way, you won’t get tempted to sit down or lay on the mattress if ever you get stressed by a certain task. Once you establish a work station at home, make sure it is private and conducive for focus. Do not have it near where children play or pets run freely. By being able to complete your work without distraction, you can submit deliverables sooner and go offline for the rest of the day.

4. Use Professional Support

For those who might be struggling with clinical depression or other mental health illnesses identified by experts, there should be local hotlines available to help. The UP Diliman Psychosocial Services offer free telepsychotherapy sessions for those in need. This is a reminder that professionals are available to listen to your troubles if these are already affecting your duties at work or with family.
Remote work might be a set-up that we all have to get used to (even after the lockdown), so make sure you take it easy on your mind. If you need tools to help you navigate remote working better, check out our cheat sheet of tools. ‘Till then, stay safe.

Sources: Inquirer, Mental Health Foundation, UPD PsychServ