Much has already been saying about the home office and its advantages. But with the Coronavirus pandemic, this modality prevailed in a generalized way, and it takes some different trims from its usual form, such as not respecting work schedules but assuming that the employee is available at any time (in a kind of security guard). 24 × 24), to problems that were always simple and are now amplified, such as slower access to the Internet, power outages or the breakage of a device such as a mouse, to give an example. How to buy it with closed businesses, how long do online sales sites take to distribute? And other complications that may seem trivial, but with social isolation, they become a bigger problem.
Of course, it must be taken into account that there must be a minimum of order, control, and discipline to carry out their task efficiently.
“These days, the way of working has radically changed, and we all had to adapt to a new, unprecedented and uncertain scenario,” says Ernesto Tocker, director of the AMIA Employment Service. “In working life, the home office proved to be the great ally at this time, but it is important that the tasks are done from home also have their methodology and organization,” he warns.
To avoid adding more stress to family and work life, and thus make the home office products for the company and the employee,
the AMIA Employment Service produced a guide of 10 tips «so that the new modalities and habits imposed by quarantine improve performance and affect our quality of life as little as possible, “indicates a report by the entity.
These behaviors can help you feel better at first, but they can hurt you more than they help. Instead, use the tips below to find healthy ways to reducing stress.
1. Define a schedule:
In regular times, the calendar organized our lives. We knew what time the alarm clock rang, what time we brought the children to school, what time we entered the office. In times of pandemic, every day seems the same. The routine fell apart into a thousand pieces. We must understand that isolation is a necessary and solidary contribution that we as individuals are making to society and that we can organize ourselves so that chaos does not take over our days. Setting hours for work, attending to the children/partner or family lunch, for recreation, using social networks, etc., helps create a new routine. The continuous interruptions for being connected cross-platform should not take over us, rationalizing time is essential to be productive.
2. Find the most comfortable place in the house to work and adapt it,
as much as possible, to your needs. Good lighting, a comfortable chair, keeping the computer at eye level, calm music in the background, and not distracting it all adds up to work in the most convenient way possible.
3. Plan the day:
It is essential to set goals and priorities to organize time better. Some roles are found today with more work and responsibilities. It is necessary to have a map of the day in which we record what is urgent, what is needed, and what can wait for tomorrow. Delegating reduces the workload and motivates the team, distributing responsibilities and assigning tasks with transparency generates confidence in those who have to lead the crisis.
4. Establish small breaks:
A break is necessary to ventilate the environment, change posture, stretch, or walk around our house. For those who are undergoing quarantine accompanied, it is essential that we also dedicate time to them. And that the working hours do not consume all day.
5. Personal care:
We must strive to have the best quality of life possible within our homes. Sitting in pajamas in front of the computer is not the best option to start the day. Personal hygiene and dressing in a not too informal way to work from our homes are recommended. Changing clothes for leisure moments, which are necessary, is another tip that helps to differentiate each moment.
6. Avoid distractions:
Limit the use of social networks and television. In times of crisis, it is essential to take the source of the information we receive and the quality of the conversations and contacts we establish. It is vital to develop a time of day to inform and respect it.
7. If you are in charge of a work team, it is an excellent opportunity to demonstrate positive leadership that motivates and empathizes with your collaborators.
Giving clear information, setting achievable goals, and not overexerting are the keys to not adding stress. These are times to understand, to accompany, to be in solidarity.
8. Develop a broader perspective:
The stress that can be experienced should not make us forget to be grateful. We have a house, a job, work ties at a tough time in the job market. We can make a list of all the things to be thankful for, a list of what we have accomplished. Trusting in our abilities and helping others strengthens us and makes us feel better. This situation will also pass and will make us more resilient.
9. It is normal to feel anxiety, worry, or fear in these times.
We must find a way to channel these emotions through some creative activity, a forgotten hobby, reading, or talking to our trusted people. Externalizing what happens to us helps us feel better.
10. The crisis we are experiencing can strengthen our organizational and coordination skills. It can make us develop emotional skills and competencies that we didn’t know we had. The pandemic forced us to stop and find ourselves. It is an opportunity that can make us better.
