With the majority of the country’s workforce now working from home, we’re all having to adjust to different ways of working. It can be easy to feel isolated, and cut off from your team, and Covid-19 is not only having an economic impact, but one on our mental health.
It’s important to still stay connected, and support one another. The Lord Mayor’s Appeal’s Wellbeing in the Workplace tool, produced with Samaritans and PwC, provides users with skills and techniques to recognise any signs of distress or concern, and communicate with colleagues about them.
So how can you maintain your mental health – and those of your colleagues – during lockdown?
Have regular meetings
Have regular calls and updates with your team. Use this opportunity to connect with your colleagues and share where you are with your work, as well as how you are doing on a personal level, if you feel comfortable.
Make a list
Set yourself goals for the week and commit to working through them. Writing it down can be really helpful and keep you on track.
Hear a voice
It’s not only important to communicate for business, but also your mental health. Working from a quiet home can be isolating, so make sure you keep talking. Don’t be afraid to pick up the phone and hear someone’s voice!
Use video
People are social creatures. A great deal of what we communicate to each other will not be what we say but also how we say it — the tone of voice, the expression on the face. Using video to have calls means it can be easier to communicate and understand.
Have a separate space
If you can, set up a home office space, or mark a part of your living room or kitchen table to be just yours for working. This can help increase focus, as well as providing a space that you can walk away from at the end of the day. Not everyone is lucky enough to do this, we know, but it’s a smart move if you can.
Praise and thank you
When you’re in the office it’s easy to say thank you or praise someone for a job well done, but this can be forgotten when you’re working remotely. Make sure your team mates know you’re appreciative of what they do!
Help
Don’t be afraid to ask for help. There are lots of changes happening at the moment, and it can be anxiety inducing. Whether you have a specific work problem, are struggling with mood, or just want a chat, reach out to your colleagues and employer.
Keep social
We’re used to having conversation in the office, sharing lunch, and having the occasional drink. Why not have an end of the week drink and chat with the team. It can be a great way to end the week, connect with your colleagues, and keep some sense of rhythm and normality to your routine.
Switch off
With always on technology, it can be easy to be always working. But you don’t need to. It’s important to set boundaries. If you usually finish at 5.30, do the same when you’re at home. Work may generally be becoming more flexible and fluid, but it’s important to keep space in your life for relationships, hobbies, health and wellbeing.
Have breaks
Have regular breaks. Sometimes people feel guilty about being at home, and feel the need to work late or do more. It’s ok to stand up and have a stretch, or get yourself some coffee and a biscuit and relax for a while.
For more information about Wellbeing in the Workplace, head here.