We find ourselves united globally in the battle against COVID19. Remote working and home schooling is our new reality. Living in Hong Kong, where this has been our reality since January, I have had time to adjust and navigate these new waters.
Here are some tips for keeping your head above the water and to keep thriving.
Wake up on time. No commute? Don’t use it as an excuse for an unneeded lie in. Set your alarm like any other normal working day. Start your day with a morning routine that helps you settle and focus. Shower, dress, and fix breakfast as if you were going to the office or taking the kids to school.
Use your commute time to do something productive. Perhaps it's an early workout, a meditation session, taking the dog for a walk, going for a run, or simply taking time to have breakfast with your kids. . You have been given the gift of time. Don’t waste it.
Structure your day. Stick to a normal work/school day schedule and switch off like you would in normal circumstances. Have clear boundaries between on and off time.
Don’t let home schooling stress you out. Here’s the thing. If they are under the age of 16 they are unlikely to be sitting any significant exams. If you do have older kids, schools will prioritize their learning needs and expectations will be adjusted to reflect these unprecedented circumstances. If you have younger kids, missing a few months of formal education is not going to ruin their future careers! Use the opportunity to teach them other important life skills like cooking, housework, gardening, and self care. There is plenty to be learned outside of a classroom setting and you can adapt it for all ages.
Embrace technology. You may have to sacrifice socializing in person, but you can meet up virtually. Keep that Friday night drinks date after work, but do so from the safety of your own home. It’s the perfect situation to remind us that socializing should be about appreciating the people and not just being out on the town. Make sure you are doing the same for your kids; arrange online playdates and allow them extra online time for socializing.
Control what you consume. This comes in 2 parts. The first is to be mindful of what you put into your body physically. Stress and lack of routine can push even the most disciplined person toward comfort eating. It’s ok. Be kind to yourselves, but don’t let the virus become your excuse. You are in your own home, you are in full control of your fridge, there is no better time to get your nutrition on point.
The other type of consumption is how we nourish our minds. The airwaves are flooded with information, misinformation, hope, and despair. You are again in full control of what you consume. If it is disturbing your peace, if it’s making you stressed and fearful, don’t let it in. This doesn’t mean live in an ignorant bubble. We can be informed without watching and reading about the virus 24/7. Educate yourself but remember your mind will ultimately control how your body responds.
We cannot control what’s happening around us right now, we can only control our response. Let’s all take time to focus on nourishing our own cocoons to make them a place of growth.
By: Sharmali Arumugathasan // Kenzai Trainer & Member
